Max Aragon

The Gold Standard in English Teaching

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is the most widely recognized English teaching qualification in the world. Here's why it matters:

• International Recognition: Three out of four English language teaching jobs require a CELTA qualification
• Practical Focus: Over 120 hours of intensive training with real teaching practice, not just theory
• Teaching Real Students: During CELTA, I taught actual learners and received expert feedback from certified trainers
• Up-to-Date Methodology: Training in the latest teaching techniques, classroom management, and lesson planning
• Confidence in the Classroom: CELTA gave me the tools and confidence to walk into any classroom and deliver effective, engaging lessons from day one

Inclusive Education for All Learners

At Colegio Cisneros Alter, I work daily with students who have diverse learning needs, including language disorders, autism spectrum conditions, and other developmental differences. My approach is rooted in the belief that bilingualism is a necessity, not a luxury - and that all students deserve access to language learning.

My Approach:

• Individualized Support: Every student learns differently. I adapt my teaching methods, materials, and pace to meet each learner where they are
• Multisensory Learning: Using visual aids, hands-on activities, and varied teaching techniques to ensure all learning styles are addressed
• Scaffolding and Support: Breaking down complex language concepts into manageable steps, providing additional support as needed
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrating small victories and building confidence through encouragement and success
• Collaboration: Working closely with families, special education coordinators, and support staff to ensure consistent, comprehensive support

Research-Informed Practice:

Studies show that bilingual children with special educational needs can become functionally bilingual and even trilingual. Their comprehension is often better than their production, and with appropriate support and high-quality input, they can achieve language proficiency in both languages.

Teaching for Transformation

My approach to education is rooted in the belief that learning should be transformative - not just for students, but for society as a whole. I draw inspiration from progressive educational movements while adapting modern, evidence-based practices.

Core Values:

• Excellence for All: Every student has unique talents and potential. My role is to help them discover and develop these gifts
• Inclusive Education: All learners deserve access to quality education, regardless of their starting point or learning differences
• Continuous Growth: Learning is a lifelong journey. I model this by continuously updating my skills, seeking new methods, and staying current with educational research
• Cultural Awareness: Language learning is inseparable from cultural understanding. I help students develop intercultural competence alongside linguistic skills
• Student Agency: Students learn best when they're active participants in their education. I create learning environments where curiosity is encouraged and mistakes are celebrated as learning opportunities

In Practice:

These values translate into classrooms where students feel safe to take risks, where diverse perspectives are valued, where innovation meets tradition, and where every learner is seen, heard, and supported in reaching their full potential.

A Professional Environment Aligned with My Values

Since joining Colegio Cisneros Alter in 2022, I have found a professional home where educational excellence, innovation, and student-centered values create the ideal environment for meaningful teaching. The school's educational philosophy has profoundly enriched my professional practice and reinforced my commitment to transformative education.

How My Professional Practice Has Evolved:

• Integral Education - Educating the Whole Person: At Cisneros Alter, education goes beyond academic content. We develop students' intellectual, social, emotional, and physical capacities in harmony. This holistic vision allows me to design lessons that not only teach language but also build character, critical thinking, creativity, and social responsibility. Every day I see how this comprehensive approach transforms students into well-rounded individuals.
• Love and Care as the Foundation: The school's principle that education must unfold in a framework of love, care, and affection resonates deeply with my teaching philosophy. This environment of genuine care creates the psychological safety students need to take risks, make mistakes, and grow. Working here has reinforced my belief that academic excellence and emotional support are not opposites—they're partners in effective education.
• Critical Thinking and Creativity Over Rote Learning: Cisneros Alter champions critical, creative thinking over passive acceptance. We don't want students who simply memorize—we cultivate thinkers who question, analyze, and create. This educational stance has liberated my teaching, encouraging me to design activities that challenge students intellectually, promote dialogue, and develop independent reasoning. It's education for empowerment, not compliance.
• Academic Excellence with Purpose: The school's commitment to rigorous academic standards, scientific-technical formation, and intellectual excellence gives me the professional framework to demand the best from my students while providing the support they need to achieve it. We combine high expectations with comprehensive support—cultivating effort, perseverance, and the pursuit of truth through solid, well-structured educational programs.
• Teamwork and Professional Community: At Cisneros Alter, we embrace the principle of unity and educational coherence. The teaching staff works as a true team—sharing experiences, coordinating approaches, and supporting each other's professional development. This collaborative culture has elevated my practice through constant exchange with talented colleagues, joint planning, and collective problem-solving. We're not isolated teachers; we're a professional learning community.
• Attention to Diversity and Inclusive Education: The school's emphasis on adapting teaching to each student's real capacity, clarifying doubts, and helping with difficulties has sharpened my skills in differentiated instruction. Working daily with students with special educational needs (SEN) within this supportive framework has been professionally transformative, teaching me that inclusive education isn't an add-on—it's central to quality teaching.
• Collaboration with Families: Cisneros Alter recognizes that parents are the primary educators, and teachers play a subsidiary, delegated role. This family-school partnership model has taught me the importance of transparent communication, regular dialogue with families, and shared responsibility for student development. The frequent parent-teacher collaboration creates a powerful alliance for student success.
• Preventive Discipline and Positive Behavior: The school's philosophy of preventive rather than corrective discipline—focused not on punishment but on correction and social repair—has revolutionized my classroom management. By establishing clear agreements, maintaining consistent expectations, and addressing issues early, we create orderly learning environments where students understand and embrace behavioral norms. The goal isn't to punish; it's to educate for responsibility.
• Continuous Professional Development: The school's commitment to ongoing teacher training and professional improvement creates a culture of constant growth. Regular workshops, collaborative learning opportunities, and support for advanced certifications demonstrate that professional development isn't optional—it's essential. This institutional support for teacher excellence directly benefits every student I teach.

Professional Growth and Impact:

Working at Colegio Cisneros Alter has elevated every aspect of my teaching practice. The school's coherent educational vision provides clarity of purpose; its collaborative culture offers daily professional enrichment; and its commitment to excellence—both academic and human—challenges me to be the best educator I can be.