Sandra Varela Federspiel

Montessori Consultant

 

I was born with an innate passion for art and creativity, which led me to study Fashion Design in Miami and open my own store, Xoles, where I offered my designs under the Federspiel brand. I then moved to Puerto Rico and became a costume designer in films, commercials, and music videos. However, my career took an unexpected turn when I became a mother and discovered my true calling in Montessori education. Since then, I have dedicated my life to spreading this transformative pedagogy in educational spaces in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the U.S., over the past 25 years.

 

My journey in the Montessori world began as a Montessori mother, then I studied in Mexico to be a Guide. At La Casa Montessori, where I worked with children from 2 ½ to 6 years old, teaching various subjects and promoting the integral development of children through the Montessori method, planted in me the seed of commitment to provide quality educational tools to all children and motivated my involvement in larger-scale projects. I now have a Masters in Coaching with emotional Intelligence, and also a Masters in Montessori. I have a certification in yoga and Mindfulness for children, another one in Montessori assessment, a certification in Montessori Marketing and business, I’m a constant learner and reader.

 

My passion for bringing Montessori education to disadvantaged environments led me to collaborate as Executive Director at the La Casita Montessori Foundation in Colombia. There, we transformed a space in the orphanages of vulnerable children into a welcoming and enriching Montessori space, positively impacting the lives of dozens of children and spreading the Montessori philosophy through talks and educational programs in different institutions.

 

My commitment to the dissemination of Montessori education was further consolidated when I joined the Nueva Escuela Institute in Puerto Rico, where I worked as a Consultant and Facilitator to convert public schools into Montessori environments. Through my work as a Montessori Coach and speaker, I contributed to the creation of more than 60 public Montessori schools, directly impacting the education of hundreds of children and the educational community in general.

 

My ongoing training and studies in neuroscience, combined with my commitment as an advocate for peace through education and my love for languages and travel, have enriched my teaching practice and my vision of a world in which education is the path to harmony and human development. My story is a reflection of a diverse and constantly evolving career, marked by a love of knowledge, creativity and the desire to positively impact the lives of others. I just lounged my first children’s book “Where am I from?”, that explores themes of identity, heritage, and global citizenship, inviting readers to reflect on their own origins, their connection to the world, and the ties that bind us as human beings. I see this book being an incredible tool for classrooms, families, or anyone looking to explore their roots in a creative way.