Empowering pedagogy : a case study of non-traditional teaching methods and philosophy at the Centro de Educación Creativa

Empowering pedagogy (also know as “transgressive,” “emancipatory,” or “democratic” forms of education) seeks to challenge the historically oppressive tendencies of traditional education. As a student of Social Justice and International Studies, I approach the topic of empowering pedagogy through a case study. My research explored this non-traditional educational philosophy and its implementation as realized at a school in Monteverde, Costa Rica. By reviewing literature on empowering pedagogy, I gained a framework to make meaning of the educational practices I observed. From preschool through high school, the Centro de Educación Creativa provides an example of environmentally and socially conscious teaching methods. I volunteered for five months at the “Creativa” as a classroom assistant and conducted my research interviews. I also observed and recorded the challenges the school faced when implementing their philosophy and methods of education. This thesis is intended to act as a resource to those interested in empowering pedagogy and those who work for the Creativa