https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ITHt3WffWg
“Official congratulations on completing your master’s degree. Those of us who have gone through the same process know that it marks the end of one chapter, but also the beginning of another. Although the graduate program surely required many hours of study—time you had to take away from your family, professional life, social life, and friendships—it is a journey well worth taking,” said Dr. Denise Vaillant, dean of the Institute of Education, during the exchange event with graduates of the Master’s in Educational Management program offered by ORT and the ReachingU Foundation.
In 2022, both institutions committed to providing scholarships to graduates of the Diploma in Educational Planning and Management as part of the Deep Learning program —funded by Ceibal—so that they could pursue the second year of the Master’s in Educational Management.
Following the conclusion of the academic year on Tuesday, October 10, graduates, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders in the educational process gathered for an event held both in person and online.
More specifically, during a panel discussion moderated by Yael Ferreira, who oversees web content for the Institute of Education and the Center for Continuing Education in Higher Education, participants reflected on the progress made and discussed the impact of the training at the academic, community, and personal levels.
Academic learning
Students and faculty reflected on the skills and knowledge they gained upon completing the Master’s in Educational Management, on the most significant aspects of the program, and on the contributions of the research to the academic and scientific community.
Valeria Silva, M.A.
Acting Principal of the “Juan Pedro Tapié” Technical School (Canelones)
“I’ve earned my master’s degree! I’ve taken away so much from the academic side of things. Above all, the readings suggested by our professors and advisors provided invaluable, rich, and innovative insights that I’ve been able to apply at the institution I lead. The methodology, too—I think that’s one of the things I’ve learned the most from. Finally, I am especially grateful to have learned that evidence-based approaches are the way to work.”
Betina Horta, M.A.
Principal of School No. 221 “Paul Harris” (Canelones)
“I’ve always felt a strong desire to further my education and keep learning. Problem-solving and critical analysis in decision-making were the greatest benefits of the graduate program. Those of us in educational institutions know that problems come at us constantly. That perspective on what a problem really is gives us a foundation that makes us feel more confident. And it also helps us dare to innovate, something I perhaps didn’t do before. My team now has more confidence in me, and I feel more empowered.”
Dr. Daisy Imbert
Instructor at the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
“Any of the topics explored by the graduates in their final projects are important in their own right, because they provide contextualized information on issues that teachers need to address. I believe the most significant contributions stem from the fact that at ORT, we don’t just stop at gathering specific data, analyzing it, and interpreting it; rather, we go a step further and present an improvement plan.”
Dr. Mariela Questa-Torterolo
Associate Academic Coordinator of the Master's Program in Educational Administration
“Reviewing the published theses was a very interesting read for me. I identified key themes, such as center-based projects, organizational communication, student attrition, educational management, and research in teacher education, to name just a few. But it’s important to highlight the research skills needed to design and conduct organizational assessments and to make evidence-based decisions—skills that graduates take with them—which are so important. I believe this is the unique advantage we’ve achieved, and it will surely have an impact on the institutions that our graduates are leading.”
The impact on the community
What impact has the training had on the educational community? Have graduates been able to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations in their professional practice? Have they been able to involve their team members in projects driven by the knowledge gained in the Master’s in Educational Management program?
Anibal Ledesma, M.A.
Principal of the “Dr. Pedro Figari” School (Artigas)
“It’s impossible to run a course like this without it having a direct impact on the educational community. At the school I run, we noticed that many students from the border region had trouble communicating in public settings. We felt that creating an educational radio station—one that would give teachers and students a channel to express themselves—was a very valuable tool. It has now been almost two and a half years since the online radio station La Voz de Figari has been on the air 24 hours a day. And I am proud to say that it came about through the reflections I had while pursuing my Master’s in Educational Management.”
Natalia Capricho, M.A.
Management Coordinator at the María Espínola Centers
“I didn’t see any professional growth. However, after completing the graduate program, it happened. My professional, personal, and academic growth went hand in hand. I felt empowered to take on new challenges and put everything I had learned into practice. Writing the thesis was a major learning experience. I expanded my vocabulary, improved my writing skills, and, most importantly, was able to share my knowledge with my classmates. Many doors have opened for me, I’ve had other job opportunities, and that’s all thanks to this graduate program.”
Dr. Claudia Cabrera Borges
Professor and tutor at the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
“In a master’s program, students conduct research, which involves building knowledge. There’s a common perception that faculty members guide students and students learn, but that’s not the case: we all learn. The perspective that research offers us allows us to see reality in a new light. We learn about the specific subject matter and methodology, because each project is tailor-made. And all this learning is enhanced when it involves a group of people. It makes such a difference to feel that you have someone else to lean on, and that there is so much more to keep learning.”
Personal growth
Finally, students and faculty discussed the lessons learned and opportunities provided by the Master’s in Educational Management on a personal level, while also sharing their experiences working with their peers and the faculty members involved.
Mónica Bottero, M.A.
High School Inspector for Durazno, Flores, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Rocha, and Treinta y Tres
“While I grew a lot academically, the personal aspect was a major transformation. When I defended my final project, it was a very emotional experience for me. I was fully committed to the process and defended it tooth and nail. Then, I found out the decision was postponed, which came as a shock. From that point on, I had to rebuild myself. I admit there were moments when I thought about giving up and that this wasn’t for me. With the support of my family, the program coordinators, my advisor, my classmates, and the faculty, I gradually regained my lost faith. It was a process of personal growth, and I am so grateful for it.”
Julio Rodríguez, M.A.
Principal of the Paso de la Arena Technical School (Montevideo)
“The support from my classmates was essential. Everyone has their own way of understanding management, because everyone has their own perspective, as well as their own life experiences and prior studies, but we always found common ground. I also want to highlight something that should be the norm in all institutions: the thoroughness, commitment, and sense of responsibility demonstrated by the faculty. Finally, the work we did in the Master’s program opens the door to possibilities we hadn’t considered at the time. We’ve reached a certain point, but that doesn’t mean it ends here. New possibilities are opening up, and I believe we’re all ready to take on new challenges in the future.”
Rodolfo Sosa Jacué, M.A.
Instructor and tutor at the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
“I’ve learned so much as a mentor throughout this mentoring process. The work I’ve done over the past two years. The opportunity to build communities and to work alongside others. And, finally, the chance to contribute to the field of education, which is a profound act of love.”
Three final thoughts
Dr. Denise Vaillant
Dean of the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
“A new phase is now beginning, and we hope that our graduates will continue to contribute to education in our country, whether through assessments or interventions that help improve their respective fields of work. I would also like to thank our colleagues fromthe ReachingU Foundation, Ceibal, and the Global Learning Network for joining us today. As an institute and as a university, we are not only delighted that the students have been able to complete this phase, but it has also been a great opportunity to collaborate with these institutions in an ongoing process. It truly is a fine example of inter-institutional collaboration.”
Paula Frizzi
Project Coordinator at the ReachingU Foundation
“I feel a deep sense of pride, not only because they chose to continue their professional education, but also because of the impact they have had on the communities where they are active. An impact that also resonates in our country’s education system. I want to thank this distinguished institution, which gave us the opportunity to do our small part in improving education in our country—something I believe is what each and every one of us here desires.”
Dr. Andrea Tejera Techera
Academic Coordinator of the Master's Program in Educational Management
“We are happy because we understand that this is an intimate celebration among those who were part of the Master’s program and made it possible. The program fostered learning and academic skills, and it also had an impact on communities. But, fundamentally, this Master’s program seeks to bring about transformation. Together with the faculty, we realized that, as a community, thanks to this project and this process, we have witnessed powerful transformations. To conclude, I must say that it is evident we are dealing with a truly remarkable group of courageous individuals. We welcome whatever they may want with open arms, because we love supporting courage.”
Photo gallery of the event
