Teaching Beyond the Classroom: Lessons from a Unique School in Tucumán

Working as a teacher has been one of the most demanding — and transformative — experiences in my life.

I currently teach Graphic Illustration at the Escuela de Oficios General Belgrano, a school unlike any other in the Province of Tucumán. It belongs to a very special educational modality: Contextos de Encierro and Young and Adult Education.

That means our students range from 15 to over 50 years old, many of them experiencing school not for the first time — but as a second chance.Some have never finished formal education. Others are currently serving time in prison and are granted permission to attend workshops like mine, always accompanied by a guard.

In this context of vulnerability, every class becomes more than a class. It becomes an opportunity. A space of hope, creativity, and dignity.

What I teach — and what I learn

My workshop is not digital. There are no computers, no screens.Only paper, pencils, ink, and a deep need to express and transform.

As a teacher, I:

• Design and plan the full-year curriculum

• Create personalized, accessible materials

• Manage class evaluations, attendance, and reporting

• Submit monthly forms and documentation to the Ministry

• Adjust to changing student populations and needs

  
  

But more importantly, I’ve learned to:

• Adapt to complex realities

• Handle diverse groups with empathy

• Encourage personal and professional growth through creativity

• Maintain structure, even in unpredictable situations

Why this matters — even in the world of Executive Assistance

This role taught me how to manage not just content, but human dynamics. It made me resourceful, resilient, and incredibly organized. And it reminded me that behind every calendar, task list, or client call, there’s a person. A story. A challenge.

That’s something I carry with me into every role I take on — including my journey as an Executive Assistant in training.

Because structure matters. But people always come first.

Teaching in vulnerable contexts has changed how I see structure and creativity. Have you had a similar experience?

Want to see more behind-the-scenes tools and workflows I’m learning? Keep exploring The EA Lab!