Exploring Innovation and Creativity in Multicultural Education
For the first time, School of the Nations had the honor of hosting the XIV Jornada dos Estudos Brasileiros, an event designed for the American Association of Schools in Brazil (AASB) schools to explore emerging themes in education. This year’s edition, held from February 20 to 22, centered around the theme “Innovation and Creativity in Multicultural Education: Integrating Technology, Art, and Effective Communication.” Over the course of three days, teachers and school leaders gathered to exchange insights, discuss trends, and engage in thought-provoking conversations.
Participants took part in interactive workshops and three keynote lectures, each addressing innovative approaches to education. The event opened with a session by Cristiane Chaves, co-founder of Instituto CNV Brasil and a Ph.D. candidate in Business Law at the University of Coimbra. In her lecture, “The Courage to Have Tough Conversations,” she explored the importance of open dialogue in educational spaces and on a daily basis.
On the second day, the discussion shifted towards technology with Professor Dr. Gláucia Brito’s lecture, “School in the Digital Era or the Digital Era in the School?” A specialist in educational technology and innovation, Dr. Brito examined the evolving relationship between digital tools and classroom learning.
The event concluded with an inspiring talk by Fábio Brotto, co-founder of Projeto Cooperação and a pioneer in Cooperative Games and Pedagogy. In his lecture, “Pedagogy of Cooperation: Educating for a World Where Everyone Can Win by Being Themselves,” he emphasized the value of collaboration and community-building in education.
In addition to the lectures, the last two days featured teacher-led workshops covering a wide range of topics. Educators from across AASB schools shared their expertise through sessions like “Clear and Confident Writing: A Workshop on Text Improvement and Editing,” “Artistic and Technological Resources: Our Allies in Teaching,” and “The Importance of a Brazilian Culture Week in an International School Environment.” These are just a few examples of the many workshops offered, providing valuable opportunities for hands-on learning and knowledge-sharing.
Tatiana Mesquita, Brazilian Director of Nations and event coordinator, shares that the Jornada exceeded expectations:
"First and foremost, it was incredibly important for me to see the entire school team working together to make the event happen. We grew together and learned together. The Jornada was extremely valuable for all the professionals who participated because, in addition to the exchange of experiences and ideas, it provided everyone with an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, even in subjects they were already proficient in. In this edition, we chose to open the doors to teachers from different departments, not just the Portuguese department, which allowed us to create a highly rich and comprehensive interdisciplinary environment."
School of the Nations is proud to have hosted the XIV Jornada dos Estudos Brasileiros and to have welcomed such esteemed professionals to its campus. This event marks an important step toward fostering innovation in education, reinforcing the AASB school’s commitment to preparing students and educators for a dynamic and evolving future.
