WHO WE ARE
We are a non-profit organization collectively building the schools of the future! Set in the small and beautiful town of Armação dos Búzios, in the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro, Kuará is pioneering revolutionary teaching and learning methods, guided by happiness!
We believe that only what we love can be truly learned.
Want to know how we do it? We'll tell you!
🌍 In Our Space: We welcome underprivileged children to experience a multimetodological educational approach and transformative practices.
🏫 In Schools: We bring our magic to public schools, offering consultancy and trainings that aim to transform educator's practices.
👨👩👦 With Families: Dealing with development, tantrums, learning, and many other challenges of raising a child is not easy! That's why Kuará supports families, sharing practices and knowledge that help in educating with more ease and information.
Join us on this journey of transformation! Whether you are an educator, donor, or a family looking for new ways to learn and teach, Kuará is the place for you.
Reimagine education with us. Let's create the schools of the future, together!
8 reasons to REIMAGINE EDUCATION
01
We are failing on a large scale
More than 70% of children reach the end of 14 years of school without a minimum proficiency in mathematics and Portuguese, revealing that education that focuses
in memorization does not generate
real learning!
02
THE WORLD OF WORK HAS CHANGED
Careers are changing, with 50% of jobs at risk of disappearing and new opportunities emerging. Many of today’s children will work in roles that don't yet exist. That is why we must prepare them for an unpredictable future by focusing on ‘learning how to learn’ and developing adaptive skills such as flexibility, creativity, empathy, collaboration and complex problem-solving. These are qualities that the rote learning method does not effectively promote.
03
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Every student has their own learning style and pace, and standardized education does not adequately accommodate these individual differences. We need an education that celebrates diversity! Personalized and adaptable approaches are crucial to maximize each student’s potential and ensure true inclusion.
04
EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITIES
Education for social transformation must transcend the ENEM (National High School Exam), since 81% of Brazilian children will not pursue higher education. AThe sad truth is that many graduates are either unemployed or occupy lower-level positions. To promote social advancement, it is vital to value individual skills and offer training that prepares children for various professional possibilities, not just higher education.
05
shortcomings
measuring
success
Standardized assessments often do not capture the comprehensive set of students’ skills and knowledge. We need more holistic methods to assess and encourage student progress in all areas, including social and emotional skills.
06
mental health
and student well-being
Depression, suicide and anxiety in childhood are currently considered public health problems. Approximately six million children suffer from clinical depression a year with an estimated 14 suicides committed by young people every day in Brazil.. Therefore, it is essential to put place happiness at the center of the learning process! This can be done by implementing practices that consider mental health, rethinking the pressure for test results, and adopting more welcoming and inclusive methodologies that value individuality, promote the joy of learning), raise self-esteem and make children feel welcomed and motivated.
07
project-based and experience-based learning
Studies show that students retain knowledge better and develop practical skills through real-world learning experiences, as opposed to methods that focus solely on theory. Children need an experiential education that prepares them for real-life situations—not just exams.
08
sustainability and CLIMATE awareness
Given the urgency of the climate crisis, education must promote environmental awareness and action, integrating respect for sustainability into all areas of learning.
Reimagining education is key to creating a system that is truly capable of preparing future adults for a world that values adaptability, social awareness and lifelong learning, not just the ability to pass exams. Education should be a journey of self-discovery, not a production line of standardized content.
our founder
Hello! I am Paloma Heringer, the creator and founder of Kuará. I have a Master's degree in Education, Politics and International Development from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) and I'm a researcher in the field of democratic education, emotional education, active learning methodologies, and disruptive learning.
I am Noah's mother, with whom I continue to learn every day. I am a friend of the Science for Education Network and a member of the Living and Conscious Education Network, which works in South America reinventing schools. I am also part of the Chevening network of changemakers and global leaders and was a facilitator of the Escolas em Transição (Eco Habitare) training project in RJ, led by the Portuguese educator José Pacheco.
I like to expand my perspective on education beyond pedagogy by combining diverse knowledge, skills, and experiences in my work. I hold a postgraduate degree in Futurism and New Economies, which broadens my vision of education, schools and the professions of the future :-) I also have postgraduate degree in International Communication from Syracuse University (NY) and I have a Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ).
TALK TO us
Schedule a visit!
Want to get to know our space and better understand our pedagogy? Come and get to know Kuará! We welcome groups from schools to play in our backyard, educators, families, and education managers.
Visits take place on scheduled days and times and are intended to get to know our backyard and also to clarify any doubts about our pedagogy :-)
CONTACTS
Av. José Gonçalves, 29 - Armacao dos Buzios - RJ