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Why? Democratic Education Logo

Meet the Team

Susana

Director
I am a qualified teacher and an university lecturer, training early years, primary education and secondary education teachers. I am an academic researcher and have different publications in the field of sociology of identities and sociology of education. I wanted my child to attend a democratic school but I could not find one, so I set up this project with Effie in 2013 with a strong vision and drive to push our ideas of education and to build a fully democratic, creative and Spanish bilingual setting. I am proud that we have achieved it and I can share our school with so many other children, educators and families.

Patricia

Primary School Teacher
I was born in Bilbao, Spain but I moved to England several years ago. I have extensive experience with children of all ages and have worked as a teacher both Spain and in England. I have worked in child and youth activities as a monitor and coordinator for eight years in a community in Spain. In 2012 I received the Official University Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching, with a major in Primary Education. I am developing my teaching skills here in Manchester, attending courses such as, Enseñanza de español a niños and developing Maths teaching methods by working with local Primary Schools.

Charlotte

Artist
I am the Artist in the school and my role is to facilitate the learning processes of the children by gathering, documenting, and displaying the work created by them. Also I assist the children in their personal interests. My background is in art and I have a BA (Hons) in Textiles in Practice from MMU. I have worked with organisations like Venture Arts where I devised, delivered and displayed successful art-based workshop for children and adults. I consider myself a mixed media artist that is inspired by creative minds and has an understanding of the importance of exploration.

Effie

Director & Safeguarding Lead
I have twenty years experience as an artist, community artist and arts consultant. I lived in Spain for ten years where I worked as an English teacher. I have an MA in Critical Theory of Arts and have lectured in art theory. I have exhibited my art widely in the UK, Ireland and Spain. In addition, I have trained for two years as a psychotherapist in transactional analysis. I have extensive experience of working with people in distress and with mental health issues. I believe that art is a privileged vehicle to learn about everything. I am proud that we have placed art at the heart of our project and to share my experiences with other artists and educators.

Alice

Atelierista and SENCO
I have a BA in Fine arts from Birmingham City University, I concentrated my practice on abstract painting and process art. I have contributed to many different art community organisations including 42nd street, where I worked as an artist with young people who suffered with mental health issues. I also worked at Manchester Art Gallery where I worked with children with autism and sensory needs. Within my current role, I support staff and children creatively and follow the Reggio Emilia approach. This involves working with and making resources to explore with. I document children’s learning processes in conjunction with the line of enquiries and show the children’s work in visual ways.

Stalo

Administrator
I have been an administrator for ten years. I love working at Alexandra Park Children's Laerning Commmunity, no two days are ever the same. I enjoy chatting with the children and parents. I might not know anything about educating children, but I do know how to organise this place.

Karen

Deputy Manager
I have been working with children of all ages for over 30 years. I enjoy engaging with and watching them develop from one mile stone to the other. I am a qualified level 3 child care worker and also hold qualifications in Youth and Community work and Team Leadership. I have been working here at Alexandra Park Children’s Learning Community for just over 5 years and find the ethos amazing. Following Reggio Emilia allows children to develop in their own right and gives them the opportunity and space to grow. My role here has developed over time going from coordinating in Blue Rider (0-18 months) to currently coving the position of Deputy Manager.

Edith

Deputy Manager and Early Years Coordinator
I am from Paraguay which is a small country in South America but since 2007 I have lived in Manchester with my husband and my daughter who attends APCLC. I have extensive experience in childcare ranging from babies to pre-school age and have worked as a nursery assistant for four years at a local nursery. I have a post-graduate certificate in Early Years Teaching and I am a qualified Spanish teacher. I recently visited Reggio Emilia in Italy with my family and really believe in the approach and that we can all learn together in a positive and creative way.

Susana Penedo Lopez

I am a qualified teacher and a university lecturer, training early years, primary education and secondary education teachers. I am an academic researcher and have different publications in the field of sociology of identities and sociology of education. I wanted my child to attend a democratic school, but I could not find one, so I set up this project with Effie in 2013 with a strong vision and drive to push our ideas of education and to build a fully democratic, creative and Spanish bilingual setting. I am proud that we have achieved it and I can share our school with so many other children, educators and families.