Mr. Gerardo León Franco

With almost 30 years of experience in the education FIELD, Gerardo LeOn Franco Zapata, assumed as the Principal of our School at the beginning of 2020. His whole life has been linked to education, and his professional training proves it. Mr. Gerardo has a degree in Linguistics and Literature from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, with a specialist degree in Semiotics and Hermeneutics Art at the National University, and a Master's Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies in Education from the University of Buffalo in New York. CCB TIMES had the pleasure to talk with Mr. Gerardo about the future of the school.

A. What are your expectations as the principal of the school?

Becoming the director of this school is a huge challenge because of it’s history, and how it has turned into A different kind of institution through time. It had been changing the identity. Right now, the school is in a great position, and i feel that I have an important job trying to find out how to improve this school.

B. Why do you want to work in CCB? What interested you from the school?

I need to confess that I wanted my kids to study here 20 years ago, but they couldn’t because I left the city with my family. The thing is that I have been in touch with a lot of people connected to the school, such as my university classmates, parents and teachers that I worked with in the past. I witnessed the sense of belonging across the school. And I was really interesting to be part of a family like CCB community is.

C. Is there anything you would like to change about the school?

It’s a tricky question. I don’t want to change it because it’s bad, I want to change it because i thing we can do it better. For instance, technology. We have resources and media, we just need to be confident enough to take step ahead. That’s a simple change that I’m sure it will strength the school proposal.

D. What are the alliances that you want to implement in the school?

I think the school is a strong institution locally. One important goal is to connect the school with international educational organizations, and with other International schools because it is really important to be part of big networks today.

E. We know that you keen on technology. What things do you want to implement?

Well, first we need to find the way to work with computers one by one. I mean, not having only technology rooms, but everyone could have their own computer to make technology integrate all the subjects. Second, the use of platforms in terms of accessing information in a quick and saFe way, developing digital citizenship. This is something that I mentioned to parents in our first meeting and we will be working on this with students. All what it means is that it is important to have your identity in networks. How to manage that, and the preventions you have to take care with it is another element. We are all learning this at the same time because this is the era right now.

F. Is there anything you would like to say to inspire CCB community?

I am really happy to say that I find a really connected community here. Family is engaged with the process of the students. The attendance of the first meeting was great. Definitely, when you find out that you are in this great position, this is exactly the moment that you can not stop. We need to have the courage to move on.