Provide quality education to 5000 youth in Panama

This reporting period marked a very special milestone for Enseña por Panamá: the celebration of our 10th anniversary. What began in 2014 as a shared vision to ensure that every child and young person in Panama has access to a quality education has grown into a nationwide movement of leaders committed to educational equity and social transformation. Over the past decade, Enseña por Panamá has expanded its presence to more than 30 districts across 7 provinces and 1 indigenous region, impacting more than 30,000 students and supporting over 130 educational centers.  

Reaching this anniversary gave us the opportunity to reflect on the collective impact made possible by supporters, partners, educators, alumni, students, and donors around the world. Throughout these ten years, we have developed and strengthened a leadership model that equips educators and professionals with the skills, mindset, and commitment needed to create meaningful change both inside and outside the classroom. Today, our network includes more than 135 program graduates who continue contributing to educational and social progress across Panama.  

As part of the anniversary celebration, we highlighted ten key milestones that have shaped our journey. These include the launch of our first leadership cohort, the graduation of our first alumni, the expansion of our work through partnerships with the Ministry of Education, our response during the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual and distance learning initiatives, and the growth of our alumni network to more than 100 leaders. We also celebrated the partnerships that allowed us to expand into early childhood development and teacher training, reaching new populations and increasing our long-term impact.    

Looking ahead, we are excited about the next chapter of our work. In 2026, we launched new efforts to attract diverse talent into the education sector, strengthening the pipeline of leaders who will help address the challenges facing Panama’s schools and communities. This initiative reflects our belief that transforming education requires the participation of people from different backgrounds, experiences, and professions, all united by a commitment to creating opportunities for young people.    

The support of GlobalGiving donors has been an important part of this journey. Your contributions help us continue developing educational leaders, supporting students, and expanding opportunities for thousands of young people every year. As we celebrate ten years of impact, we are deeply grateful for your partnership and excited about what we can accomplish together in the years ahead.

Thank you for helping us move closer to a future where every child and young person in Panama can reach their full potential through quality education.

• Brochure_10_anos.pdf (PDF)
  

As part of the project Provide Quality Education to 5,000 Youth in Panama, a key milestone was achieved through the implementation of the Summer Institute, the initial training phase for new program participants. This stage represents the first and foundational step for emerging educational leaders as they enter the organization’s two-year leadership and teaching program.

A total of 31 new participants successfully completed the initial training. The Summer Institute is designed as an intensive preparation process that equips participants with the core competencies, mindset, and tools required to effectively enter classrooms under the program’s educational model. By establishing a strong foundation at this early stage, the training plays a critical role in ensuring consistency, quality, and long-term impact throughout the full two-year experience.

The Summer Institute took place over three weeks and was delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual learning experiences. The training integrated two key components. First, participants engaged in a structured theoretical formation focused on pedagogy, leadership, professionalism, and socioemotional development. Second, the program included a practical component that allowed participants to apply their learning directly with students in real educational settings.

Through this practical experience, the Summer Institute also directly benefited approximately 200 students from public schools in Panama, who participated in learning activities facilitated by the new program participants under guided supervision. This dual-impact approach strengthened participants’ confidence and instructional skills while simultaneously expanding access to meaningful learning experiences for students.

Throughout the training, participants demonstrated growth in what the program defines as core professionalism competencies, as outlined in its leadership rubric, as well as in key socioemotional skills essential for effective teaching and leadership. While the training was intentionally demanding, participants consistently described the experience as deeply purposeful. Many reported feeling reconnected to their motivation for working in education and more prepared to face the challenges of the classroom with clarity and commitment.

This initial training phase successfully consolidated the foundations required for participants to transition into their teaching roles within the program’s model. Following the Summer Institute, participants will now begin their in-classroom experience, supported by ongoing, personalized coaching and accompaniment to ensure continuous growth and impact.

The completion of the Summer Institute marks a critical step forward in strengthening educational leadership and advancing quality education for youth in Panama.