He was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in the urban bustle of New York, and recently turned his passion for multiculturalism and history into a profession. He is Sam Cardona, History and Sociology teacher at Heritage International School, who inspires and challenges his students to discover the world through different lenses.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point in Sam Cardona’s life, motivating him to reevaluate his career and return to academia. With a degree in Philosophy, Psychology and Spanish Literature and after almost 20 years in sales, Sam decided to get a Master’s in Philosophy, being ready to share his knowledge and experience with the new generations. Today, he teaches History to 7th-10th graders and Sociology to A Level students at Heritage.

“I’ve always been interested in history and was curious about why things are the way they are. I think it’s important for students to appreciate all the things that came before. Thus, they can understand where they stand in the society and understand that history is not just in books, we make history. And I think if students see that history is something created by people, they’ll feel like they can have a positive impact on the future, instead of feeling like they’re just going to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.”

“Rather than being against technology, we should integrate it into education”

In the classroom Sam Cardona is not content with just conveying historical data and sociological concepts; he seeks to make students more engaged and curious. Using interactive and multimedia methods, the teacher turns each lesson into an immersive journey through time and space, preparing Heritage students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

“We have to make the lessons attractive to the students, to gain their interest. I like to have a combination of presentations, courses and materials, but also to use multimedia, because we are surrounded by technology and I think that education has to change and adapt. I use videos, music, anything that brings history to life. And students appreciate it, when they can view videos with images from different eras, of different battles or historical events that took place – when they see and hear, they tend to retain more.”

The Cambridge International A Level programme – the gold standard in education worldwide

Teaching a subject to Cambridge International A Level students is a complex and rigorous activity, Sam Cardona believes, and the knowledge and skills acquired here are the foundation of their professional future.

“Within the A Level curriculum, the material is very detailed and in-depth. Heritage students are exposed to very comprehensive information, which gives them the opportunity to prepare academically. For example, sociology is a difficult subject with a lot of new vocabulary, but it is engaging and gives them the opportunity to see things differently, to look at society in a different way and to see themselves in a different way. And I think that this early exposure really opens their eyes.”

“Heritage students have the opportunity to have teachers from all over the world”

Heritage International School is distinguished not only by its outstanding and internationally recognized academic programmes, but also by the cultural and linguistic diversity of its community. This aspect is valued by Sam Cardona in particular, as it creates an environment where students can learn alongside peers from all over the world.

“I think it’s fascinating and a wonderful experience for students to be able to be around peers from so many different cultures and backgrounds. The fact that they interact in three or four different languages ​​at the same time is a great exposure for them, it makes them realize that we are part of a multicultural world. Students can meet and learn from teachers from Africa, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, Ireland and other countries. And they have this opportunity to study with these teachers from all over the world here, at Heritage, where they are encouraged to excel.”