Veronica Kaypaghian

InterAmerican Academy
Guayaquil, Ecuador
vkaypaghian@interamerican.edu.ec

As principal at InterAmerican Academy (IAA), Veronica Kaypaghian embodies an innovative leadership style that inspires teachers and students alike. The executive director noted that Kaypaghian’s inspirational leadership has transformed IAA into one of the premier schools in Latin America. Kaypaghian is passionate about carrying the school forward into the 21st century, embracing a creativity-forward philosophy by creating a Makerspace for students to explore and problem-solve as well as a Green School initiative that promotes sustainable practices like recycling, reusing, and service-learning environmental activities like gardening. The popular Makerspace programming has expanded into weekend and pop-up offerings, allowing students to build, learn, and engage with STEAM concepts independently and collaboratively. Kaypaghian was also a leader in reimagining the school’s early childhood center. Applying pedagogical principles from Reggio Emilia and The Project Approach, Kaypaghian and teachers redesigned the indoor and outdoor play spaces to remove plastic and incorporate open-ended, creativity-sparking materials like Makerspace tables, a mud kitchen, and wooden building blocks. Kaypaghian is lauded by colleagues as a committed leader who brings real care and love to each aspect of principalship. Kaypaghian holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Universidad Autonoma Espana and a Master of Education in Organizational Management from Endicott College, and she is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from AAIE/Wilkes University.