how we teach

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Our encouraging teachers create an excellent relationship with your child, energizing them to pursue all their interests and goals. With a global vision, our teachers also help your child take initiative, using their skills and knowledge to make a positive impact.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Our teachers are immensely talented. They will give the right balance of specialized support and challenge to your child, ensuring their happiness while maintaining excellent communication. Your child will benefit from this close connection with their teachers, who will always tailor learning to your child’s progress. 

95% of MET parents affirm their child has a strong relationship with their teachers, 93% also state that their child receives a quality education, and 94% believe their child is ready for the next level of learning.
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  • SENIOR LEADERSHIP

THE METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF PANAMA STAFF

Our passionate team has the right combination of local and international experience to guide your child every step of the way as a global citizen. Many have taught in different countries, so they’re always offering real-world experience to our students — guiding a generation of global citizens.
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Dr. Mark Starbuck
Head of School
Mark is a seasoned head of academic programs with 25 years’ teaching and leadership experience. He has held various leadership positions at prestigious schools in the UK, Greece, Mexico, Japan, and China.
Dr. Mark Starbuck, Head of School

Mark is a seasoned head of academic programs with 25 years’ teaching and leadership experience. He has held various leadership positions at prestigious schools in the UK, Greece, Mexico, Japan, and China. Mark has co-authored a textbook entitled Access to Sociology: Religion and several articles on behavioral economics, pedagogy, and educational leadership.

Mark’s qualifications include:

  • D.Phil., Sociology/Behavioral Economics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  • M.A. (Distinction), Educational Leadership and Management, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
  • M.Sc. (Distinction), Sports Management, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK 
  • M.Sc., Sociology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
  • B.A. (Honors), Sports Science and Educational Studies, University of Kent, Kent, UK
  • Certificate in School Leadership and Management, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
  • P.G.C.E., University of London, Institute of Education, London, UK
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Indira Acosta
Academic Director
Indira is from Panama and is one of our school's founding teachers. She joined the team in 2011, bringing over 16 years’ teaching experience to the MET. She has also been the lead organizer of the Panamanian Cultural Week and our annual Folkloric Galas since 2011.
Indira Acosta, Academic Director

From Panama, Indira and is one of our school's founding teachers and joined the team in 2011, bringing over 16 years’ teaching experience to the MET. Indira has been the lead organizer of the Panamanian Cultural Week and our annual Folkloric Galas since 2011. These MET traditional events celebrate Panama's rich history, culture, and folklore.

Indira’s qualifications include:

  • Ph.D., Education Sciences, Human Development and Social Education, UDELAS, Panama City, Panama
  • M.B.A., Business Administration, Quality Leadership University, Panama City, Panama
  • M.A., Higher Education, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City, Panama
  • M.A., Psychpedagogy with an emphasis on Learning Difficulties, UDELAS, Panama City, Panama
  • Postgraduate Degree, Higher Education, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City, Panama
  • B.A., Early Childhood Education, Universidad de Panamá, Panama City, Panama
  • Technical degree, Early Childhood Stimulation and Family Counselling, UDELAS, Panama City, Panama
  • Technical degree, Spanish and Literature, Instituto Superior Especializado, Panama City, Panama
  • Certification, Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, Instituto Cervantes and Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
  • English as a Second Language, Quality Leadership University, Panama City, Panama 
     
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Nydia Manzanares
Elementary School Principal
Originally from Honduras, Nydia has also lived in the US and Costa Rica. With over 25 years’ teaching experience, she is one of the MET's founding teachers and has worked in different grade levels at international schools like the American School of Tegucigalpa and Discovery School of Tegucigalpa.
Nydia Manzanares, Elementary School Principal

Nydia’s qualifications include:

  • M.A., Family Counselling, Colegio Villanueva, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
  • Master's in Educational Leadership, Framingham State University, Framingham, Massachusetts, USA
  • B.S., Early Childhood Education, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, USA
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Fay Jamal
Secondary School Principal
Originally from Canada, Fay has been living in Panama for several years. She began her teaching career in 2015 in Haiti and joined the MET in 2019. Fay is invested in using technology and collaborative learning approaches to extend academic areas.
Fay Phillips, Interim Secondary Principal

Fay has been living in Panama for several years and is originally from Canada. She began her teaching career in 2015 in Haiti and joined the MET in 2019. 

Fay is invested in using technology and collaborative learning approaches to extend academic areas. She integrates STEAM into her classroom through inquiry and project-based learning, improving engagement and making students’ learning significant by having them apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

Fay’s qualifications include:

  • M.Ed., Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
  • B.Ed., Junior Intermediate Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
  • Ontario Certified Teacher, Ontario College of Teachers, Ontario, Canada
  • B.S., Biology and Psychology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

OUR TEACHERS’ QUALITY

At every opportunity, the Metropolitan School of Panama’s teachers enhance themselves with professional development and lead a culture of continual self-improvement. 

Using Nord Anglia University, they use best-in-class trainings and resources from global experts to stay at the cutting-edge of their profession. This includes teaching strategies from our collaborations with MIT, Juilliard, and UNICEF. 

To boost their credentials, several of our teachers have also pursued a distinctive online master’s degree that we offer in partnership with Framingham State University in the US, accessible to educators in Panama and abroad.
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TEACHING AND LEARNING STANDARDS

Our teachers are passionate about maintaining the highest-level standards of the IB curriculum, using first-rate teaching practices from their trainings with the IBO and Nord Anglia University.

Complementing our teaching staff, the MET’s literacy and technology specialists and counselling teams also work together to uphold the high standards that fully support our students’ advancement.
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BOOSTED BY TECH

TEACHING WITH TECH

Across our wireless campus, all MET students use their digital devices to seamlessly connect with interactive learning tools that further their research, technical skills, and creativity. From Early Childhood, all MET teachers guide our learners to embrace the newest technology, incorporating it throughout activities and learning environments. 

Our class instruction and tech hubs invite students across all levels to learn using the most modern tools. Teachers encourage students to use technology strategically and mindfully, reinforcing their responsibility through our Digital Citizenship Program.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU!

Our Admissions team would love to hear from you. Schedule a tour of our campus or a virtual discovery meeting to learn more about the MET difference and what we can offer your child.

Inquire Today
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