Faculty
Principal
John Newport (Mr.)
John has spent his career focusing on improving students’ experiences. He has been employed as a teacher, education development officer, teacher educator, and curriculum developer in Belize, the United Kingdom, Nepal, and Brazil. He believes education can change students’ lives by engaging them in designing real solutions to challenges facing local, national, and global communities.
John hopes Itz’at STEAM Academy will be provide a model for other schools as it creatively explores making the use of new and emerging technology a central feature of students’ experiences throughout Belize.
Vice Principal
Christine Coc (Ms.)
Christine is dedicated to improving education quality by incorporating technology into the classroom. Over the course of her career, she has held several positions including trainer, quality analyst, and science educator. Inclusive STEAM education is her goal for Belize. In her view, Itz’at STEAM Academy will offer learners an alternative schooling model tailored to their needs, enabling them to develop their passions as they acquire the necessary skills and personal characteristics to achieve their future dreams.
KLA Teacher
Kirkland Smith (Mr.)
Kirkland Smith is a leading art educator and an advocate for the arts in the Belizean curriculum. He collaborates with numerous institutions, locally and internationally, as an agency for the arts, and has interest in art therapy and community-based art. Kirkland sees Itz’at STEAM Academy as an actualization of his pursuits to provide students with better learning experiences to be successful and productive Belizeans.
KLA Teacher
Kristy Chable (Ms.)
Kristy has made it her goal to promote a positive mindset in science for students. She is currently engaged in the development of Itz’at STEAM Academy. Her hope for this new school is for it to serve as a second home for students, where they will grow in all aspects and allow them to find creative solutions to problems in their community, and leave their mark for others to follow.
KLA Teacher
Lionel Palacio (Mr.)
Lionel has always believed in making education meaningful and enjoyable for the real world. He is currently engaged in rethinking curriculum design and reimaging the Belizean classroom. He hopes the futuristic approach of the Itz’at STEAM Academy will bring about changes needed to develop our nation so that it becomes self-sustaining with critical thinkers, visionaries, and autonomous and ethical leaders.
