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Maricruz Lagar is retiring after an outstanding career as CEO of SEK International Schools, leaving a great mark on the entire educational community. In recent days there have been several acknowledgements of his management and leadership. Ivan Martinez, who will take over, faces the challenge of maintaining and expanding this legacy in an ever-evolving educational world.
Maricruz, as general director of SEK International Schools, what have been the milestones that have marked you the most?
Throughout these years, I have had the honor of participating in numerous important milestones, but I will focus on three recent achievements that we have implemented in the Institution: the Wellness Program with the RULER emotional intelligence program, which seeks to improve the emotional well-being of all members of our educational community; the development of the SEK Competency Model and Diploma, which allows our students to record and reflect on all the activities they perform within our educational model; and the “Learning Outside-In” research project, together with Harvard, which explores how the design and pedagogy of learning environments in non-school spaces impact dimensions of well-being in learning.
What memories do you take with you from your time at SEK?
Between 13 years as a student and 45 as a professional, I have accumulated countless memories. From the first graduating class at SEK-El Castillo, which I will always carry in my heart, to the festivals and theater groups that I have organized, crucial to improve the self-esteem of the students. The creation of summer programs such as “Active Vacations” and “Pre Colleges” has been a source of great personal satisfaction.
I also fondly remember my participation in the first team of Aula Inteligente with Mr. Felipe Segovia and the launching of the SEK Catalunya School. The most important thing for me has been to try to do things well, to help and collaborate always with passion, commitment and professionalism.
Iván, what challenges do you face as the new director of SEK International Schools?
I believe that some of the main challenges we face as a learning community today are the same as those that the educational world has been facing in recent decades. The irruption and rapid evolution of technology and its educational applications, especially artificial intelligence, will change many of the current educational approaches and frameworks.
It is our responsibility to define this future, involving students, families and teachers. Another important challenge is to provide SEK students with the necessary tools to face a changing world with good resources, resilience and optimism. We want to prepare our students to adapt and thrive in the face of new challenges that constantly arise.
What do you think makes SEK International Schools unique?
There are several aspects that distinguish us from other schools. First of all, when a student enrolls in a SEK School, he or she enters not only an institution, but a whole learning ecosystem. This includes our network of SEK Schools around the world, the Camilo José Cela University and many opportunities to live international experiences and give continuity to their learning processes. Educational innovation has always been one of our hallmarks.
From the implementation of flexible classrooms in the 1960s, to the Smart Classroom in the 1990s, to the Future Learning Model today, SEK has always sought to innovate in order to implement educational practices with a significant impact on learning. Another key and increasingly important element is the physical and emotional well-being of our educational community. Initiatives such as the RULER program, the existence of wellness coordinators in our schools and the support of our guidance departments are examples of actions that set us apart.
