Five teachers from Guayaquil and Samborondón shared their experiences and perspectives on teaching, according to an April 9 announcement by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture. The statement comes as part of activities marking Teacher’s Day, which will be observed on April 13.
The stories highlight the impact teachers have on students’ lives in Zone 8. Teresa Peña Morán, who has served nearly three decades at Unidad Educativa 28 de mayo, said her role goes beyond academics. She described the teacher as “the rudder in a student’s life,” guiding them through both academic and personal challenges.
Jannina González Mina reflected on her two decades in education, saying that teaching is a way of life for her. Inspired by her mother’s work with incomplete schooling programs, she said: “A child or adolescent without love loses direction.” González has introduced innovative methods such as robotics to engage students in mathematics and believes that teachers are “heroes without capes and agents of change for the educational community.”
Hortencia Cartagena Triviño has spent over twenty-three years teaching dance at Conservatorio Raymond Maugé. Coming from a family of educators, she said her mission is to form sensitive individuals committed to transforming society through art.
Néstor Santana Quinto focuses his career on inclusive education as a physical therapist and teacher in Samborondón. He recalled moments when his students with disabilities received public recognition: “There are no limits when there is support and dedication,” he said.
Daniel Santoro Cabrera represents a new generation of educators with three years’ experience at Unidad Educativa Réplica Guayaquil after applying through Educa Empleo. He credits his mother for inspiring him to teach physical education and aims to instill discipline and responsibility in his students: “Seeing them achieve what they set out to do makes me proud to be a teacher,” he said.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to valuing teachers’ roles by supporting initiatives that strengthen their work.
