Woodside School, a bilingual institution with more than 28 years of experience in holistic education, officially launched the 2026 academic year with an inspiring professional development gathering for its teaching staff. The event took place on February 6 at The Grand Hotel in Punta del Este and set the tone for a year grounded in reflection, innovation, and shared purpose.
Bringing together educators from Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and the IB Diploma Programme, the school opened the cycle with a working breakfast designed to reconnect colleagues, recharge collective energy, and align around a forward-looking vision of teaching and learning in a rapidly evolving world.
Rethinking Teaching Through the Lens of the Brain
The keynote speaker was Laura Lewin, one of Latin America’s most respected voices in education. A teacher trainer, TEDx speaker, and author of 15 books on educational leadership, neuroscience, and school management, Lewin has delivered conferences across Latin America, the United States, and Europe, and has advised ministries of education throughout the region.
In 2025, she was recognized as Distinguished Personality in Education by the Legislature of the City of Buenos Aires.
Under the theme “How the Brain Learns and How We Should Teach,” Lewin invited Woodside’s faculty to revisit daily classroom practices through the lens of neuroscience and student-centered learning. Her presentation offered practical, research-informed strategies to enhance engagement, deepen understanding, and foster meaningful learning experiences.
With a human and contemporary approach, she emphasized the importance of placing both students and educators at the heart of the learning process—acknowledging the emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions that shape educational success.
More Than Training: A Culture of Reflection and Commitment
The gathering extended beyond a traditional professional development session. It became a space for dialogue, inspiration, and renewed commitment. Teachers actively engaged in discussion, reflecting on how to translate insights from neuroscience into actionable classroom practices within a bilingual and international framework.
The presence of the school’s founders—Susan Griffin, Claudia Domínguez, Laura Pollio, and Blanca Brause—alongside Laura Lewin underscored the institution’s enduring leadership and its hands-on involvement in shaping the school’s pedagogical direction.
A Continued Commitment to Excellence in Bilingual Education
By beginning the year with a high-level professional development experience, Woodside School reaffirmed its strong commitment to continuous teacher growth—an essential pillar in delivering excellence in bilingual and IB education.
With campuses spanning Early Years through the IB Diploma Programme, the school continues to position itself as a leading educational institution in its region. Its mission remains clear: to prepare students for a world in constant transformation through rigorous academics, bilingual proficiency, artistic development, healthy habits, and reflective practice.
In a global educational landscape that demands adaptability, creativity, and empathy, Woodside School’s 2026 opening message was both timely and powerful: meaningful learning begins with inspired, informed, and continuously evolving educators.
