Ramón Majé Floriano

Ramón Majé Floriano, a teacher at the Municipal Montessori Educational Institution of Pitalito, Colombia, has dedicated his life to transforming education in rural areas despite facing significant barriers. Born in Caquetá, a department marked by violence, Ramón's early experiences shaped his understanding of the power of education. Raised by a stay-at-home mom and a father who worked in construction, he witnessed how mathematics was applied in everyday life, which sparked his passion for teaching and pursuing a career as a Mathematics teacher. His commitment has only grown stronger over time. 

Since 2017, Ramón has worked as a rural teacher, facing challenges such as limited access to education, high dropout rates due to forced displacement, unbalanced diets, dysfunctional families, and lack of resources. His classroom has become a research center, where students engage in real-world issues, such as environmental sustainability. His most notable project, CAFELAB COLOMBIA, addresses the problem of coffee waste in his region. In collaboration with his students, teachers and parents, Ramón developed innovative solutions to reuse coffee by-products, promoting sustainability and circular economy practices, establishing a direct relationship between the school, the community and the territory. CAFELAB has helped recycle more than 100,000 tons of coffee pulp and was recognized as the best school in the world for environmental action in 2023. 

Ramon's teaching approach is rooted in project-based learning (PBL), which encourages students to solve real-world problems through inquiry and collaboration. His students, for example, used programming, robotics and STEM MAKER tools to develop solutions for coffee waste, which has contributed to winning more than 40 national and international awards, including green awards in 2022 and 2023. Also has integrated technology into its lessons, using tools such as Arduino, Micro:bit, drones, audiovisual production and artificial intelligence to improve the learning experience of its students and close the gap caused by infrastructure limitations. This innovation is embodied in the innovative ICT-integrated classroom, funded by a partnership with South Korea, the Colombian Ministry of Education and the Pitalito Secretary of Education, which offers digital skills training to more than 500 students and 400 teachers annually. 

Ramón's efforts extend beyond the classroom, as he led several initiatives to improve the educational infrastructure of his community, including the creation of the CAFELAB COLOMBIA rural research and innovation center, a project that will benefit 26,000 students and 1,200 teachers in the region. His work also garnered significant financial support and international recognition, including the Green Awards in 2022 and 2023 and the Innovation and SDG Award in OEI educational centers. These awards of more than $70,000 in prize money aided in purchasing necessary educational materials. 

The achievements of his students are notable. In mathematics, average national test scores have increased significantly, with a reduction in dropout rates from 15% to 2%. More than 70% of its graduates continue their studies in technical fields or higher education. The CAFELAB COLOMBIA project has also empowered students and the coffee growing community to develop green ventures, contributing to the sustainable development and environmental care of the local community. 

Ramón's dedication includes the professional development of other teachers, training more than 400 colleagues in active methodologies and digital skills, and as a fellow of the South Korean ICT and Professional Learning Communities training program, he will help train 600 teachers every year at the national level in agreement with the Ministry of Education of Colombia and the Secretary of Education of your region. He has shared his experience at 24 national institutions and international conferences such as the ONU and IACE of South Korea and authored educational articles and books. 

Ramón has demonstrated a deep commitment to sustainable education, climate action, and community and territorial development, making him a worthy candidate for the Global Teacher Prize. His innovative approach improves student learning and has a far-reaching impact on the broader community, equipping future generations with the tools to address global challenges.