Paula Marra

Educator, United Nations International School; Creativity Catalyst

Paula has been an educator for more than 20 years, and is currently a Junior School teacher and team leader at the United Nations International School (UNIS). She specializes in primary education, using a variety of teaching methods derived from her experience with multiple international curricula, and emphasizing project-based learning /STEAM and design thinking. She is the founding and current Chair of the STEAM Special Interest Group at the European Collaborative of International Schools (ECIS). She has been a Design Thinking Coach with the Teachers' Guild, and has co-led workshops at the Stanford d.School, Project Zero (Harvard University Graduate School of Education), NYSAIS and the Metropolitan Museum of New York. She has been a Critical Friend for Teach to Lead, was a breakout session leader for Better Make Room at the Beating the Odds Summit 2016, and a Studio facilitator at the Learning Environments for Tomorrow Institute (Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Graduate School of Design).

Paula is originally from Brazil, where she first trained as a teacher. She subsequently trained in the Montessori method in London, where she lived and taught for several years. She received an Advanced Diploma in Professional Development, Inclusive Education, from Queen's University Belfast; and since coming to the U.S., has continued her professional development at Harvard Wide World (Harvard University Graduate School of Education), the Teacher Training Center in London, Global Online Academy (blended learning), ICEP Europe and IDEOU. She is a RSA Fellow.