November 18, 2024
Gina Muñoz, Juan García, and Antonio Jiménez – as part of our CATCH Latin America team – are leading the way in providing a sustainable pathway for educators to foster student-centered learning environments that promote physical health, mental well-being, and academic success throughout schools in Colombia and Ecuador.
40 passionate educators in Fontibón, Bogotá come together for a day of learning, collaboration, and growth at a CATCH Physical Education professional development training.
Bridging Gaps in Education
Colombia’s Ministry of National Education has developed a strategic framework for 2015-2025 with the goal of positioning the country as the most educated in Latin America. With the second-largest population in South America, the framework presents the vision, “Together for a New Country, Peace, Equity, and Education.”
Similarly in Ecuador, a 2021 interview with María Brown Pérez, Minister of Education in Ecuador, highlights ongoing efforts to diversify curriculum, improve access for disadvantaged groups, and strengthen teacher career development.
Our team members, Gina Muñoz, Juan García, and Antonio Jiménez, natives of Colombia and experts of the educational landscape in Latin America, acknowledge that high-quality education can thrive even in resource-limited environments. Through their efforts, our CATCH PE Journeys program is now used by over 300 schools in Colombia and Ecuador to encourage enjoyment and active participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), while also promoting social-emotional learning. The program serves K-8 students, the majority of whom in Colombia and Ecuador come from low-income households. MVPA is an activity level associated with significant health and academic benefits.
In many school systems worldwide, time allocated to physical education has significantly diminished. Both the Colombian Ministry of Health and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health have incorporated World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity into their national health policies, actively promoting school- and community-based initiatives to help adolescents meet the recommended 60 minutes of MVPA daily.
CATCH PE Journeys’ pedagogical framework aligns with and enhances existing curricula required by the ministries of education of Colombia and Ecuador, empowering both classroom and physical education teachers alike to seamlessly bring the program to life into daily classroom routines using knowledge gained from CATCH professional development and available resources.
CATCH professional development equips educators with effective classroom management strategies to maximize MVPA and emphasizes inclusive practices that enable students of all abilities to participate confidently and joyfully. Gina has observed immediate, positive impacts from CATCH professional development as educators recognize the value of increased MVPA in improving classroom management, enhancing cognitive abilities and fostering healthier student interactions. This, in turn, reinforces the importance of physical activity for students’ physical health, learning outcomes, and social well-being.
Dedicated educators in Guayaquil, Ecuador participate in a CATCH professional development training that engages mind, heart, and body, offering them the opportunity to get their heart rate up, smile, and strengthen social connections.
Working Together
To successfully address disparities and foster healthy and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, progress relies on collaboration among governments, local and international organizations, and school communities. In Colombia, partnerships with the Secretariat of Education (SED) and Fundación Neumológica de Colombia have been crucial to scaling the program. In Ecuador, El Club Rotario Internacional and Unidos por la Educación have supported CATCH’s expansion into 10 schools in Guayaquil, Ecuador with plans to reach 100 schools by 2025.
Collaboration with local and international organizations has also been important to establish dedicated spaces for educators to convene for professional development. Led by Gina and Juan, along with the dedicated CATCH Latin America team, 34 professional development trainings have been conducted thus far to over 1,000 educators across Colombia and Ecuador. Gina and Juan observe that when educators come together, they often realize they face similar challenges. Through movement and laughter, they build collective strength and gain inspiration to overcome obstacles leading to a more enriching experience that directly enhances curriculum implementation with their students.
Dr. Eduardo Abril, cardiologist and President of the District Health Committee, District 4400 of Rotary International, joins the CATCH Latin America team at a school in Ecuador as they perform a SOFIT observation before the implementation of CATCH PE Journeys.
Looking Forward to a Healthier Future For All
Through collaboration and innovation, CATCH is creating a sustainable pathway to student-centered learning environments that promote physical health, mental well-being, and academic success. As CATCH PE Journeys expands accessibility throughout Colombia and Ecuador, with growing interest across Latin America, educators are supported in transforming how they foster students’ holistic development.
To learn more about CATCH Latin America, including partnership opportunities, please contact Gina Muñoz at [email protected].
EN 
ES 
ES_CO 
SW 
HI