Educator & Entrepreneur
Bryant Stevenson Hand
25 years of experience in educational leadership, administration, consulting & project management.
Educational Leadership Philosophy
My work in education has always been guided by the belief that meaningful learning happens when curiosity, community, and purpose intersect. Over the past twenty-five years, my career has taken me from classrooms in New York City to schools and educational organizations across Asia and Latin America. Along the way, I have worked as a teacher, school founder, nonprofit leader, and educational entrepreneur. Each chapter of this journey has reinforced my conviction that education must be both deeply human-centered and continuously evolving in response to the world our students will inherit.
I began my career teaching in New York City in the 1990s, where I first encountered the powerful intersection of education and equity. Working with students from diverse backgrounds shaped my understanding that schools must not only transmit knowledge but also expand opportunity. I continued my teaching career in Thailand, an experience that broadened my perspective on global education and gave me my first opportunity to step into educational administration. Since that time, my leadership has evolved into a blend of educational and entrepreneurial work focused on designing institutions and programs that increase access to high-quality learning.
In Guatemala, I founded the Oxford Language Center and the education nonprofit Las Manos de Christine, created to address gaps in educational opportunity. I later spent a decade as the Founding Director of the Antigua Green School, where I led the development of a progressive international school grounded in progressive educational ideals and environmental stewardship. Currently I serve as Director of Impact Hub Antigua, where I lead initiatives that connect education, workforce development, and social innovation across Central America.
Throughout these roles, my educational philosophy has been shaped by progressive traditions that emphasize curiosity, creativity, and experiential learning. I believe that children learn best through exploration, collaboration, and purposeful work. Schools should create environments where students feel safe to question, experiment, and imagine new possibilities. At the same time, effective schools require thoughtful systems and strong organizational leadership. Structures, routines, and clear expectations allow educators to focus their energy on cultivating meaningful learning experiences and nurturing the growth of each child.
As an educational leader, my role is to build environments where both students and educators thrive. Teachers must feel empowered to innovate, reflect, and grow professionally. A school that invests deeply in the development of its educators creates a learning community that benefits everyone. For this reason, I am particularly passionate about professional learning communities and the role schools can play in supporting educators beyond their own classrooms.
My work is also informed by a belief that education must remain connected to the broader community. Schools do not exist in isolation, but are part of a wider social ecosystem. The most meaningful educational experiences often arise when learning is connected to real-world challenges, cultural traditions, and the local environment. In this sense, education is both a personal journey and a collective endeavor.
I hold a Master’s degree (M.Ed.) from the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Amherst, and my current work focuses on designing and scaling educational initiatives that address systemic inequities in education. I am particularly interested in how emerging technologies and innovative learning models can expand access to high-quality education while remaining grounded in progressive traditions.
Ultimately, I believe the purpose of education is to cultivate thoughtful, compassionate, and capable individuals who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider world. When schools nurture curiosity, empathy, and resilience, they help young people develop the confidence to imagine and create a better future.
Summary
International educator and school leader with 25 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, curriculum development, and executive school leadership across Southeast Asia and Latin America. Founding Head of School of Guatemala’s first Cambridge International accredited institution, with a Montessori foundation and a track record of building inclusive, student-centered learning communities from the ground up. Skilled in faculty development, differentiated instruction, family and community engagement, and leading organizations through accreditation and change. M.Ed., University of Massachusetts Amherst. Committed to fostering joyful, rigorous learning environments where every child is known and challenged.
Core knowledge and skills:
Instructional & Curriculum Leadership
Faculty Development & Mentorship
Differentiated & Inclusive Instruction
Accreditation & Compliance (Cambridge International)
Child Safeguarding & Student Support
Community & Family Engagement
Strategic Planning & Change Management
Budget & Operational Management
Impact Hub Antigua
Director
Antigua, Guatemala
2022 – Present
Lead a global network-affiliated innovation hub, providing strategic guidance and capacity-building support to educators, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs across Guatemala.
Design and facilitate professional development workshops and programs in education, sustainability, and social impact for a diverse community of leaders and practitioners.
Build and manage multi-stakeholder partnerships across the education, nonprofit, and development sectors.
Oversee program budgets and organizational strategy in collaboration with a global network of affiliated hubs.
Antigua Green School
Head of School
Founding Director
2009 – 2019
Founded and led Guatemala’s first Cambridge International accredited school (K–12), grounded in Montessori philosophy and progressive, child-centered pedagogy serving students from Early Childhood through Secondary.
Developed and implemented school-wide curriculum aligned with Cambridge International standards, supporting differentiated instruction and inclusive practices across all grade levels.
Recruited, mentored, and supervised a multicultural faculty and administrative team, fostering a culture of continuous professional growth and high instructional expectations.
Led the school through the full Cambridge International accreditation process in 2015, preparing curriculum, faculty, facilities, and the community for successful inspection — earning the school’s distinction as Guatemala’s first.
Managed school budgets, facilities planning, and daily operations while cultivating strong relationships with parents, board members, and the broader Antigua community.
Designed and implemented environmentally sustainable infrastructure and programming, embedding stewardship and service into the student experience.
Las Manos de Christine
501-c-3
Las Cruces, NM USA
Board Chairman
2007 - Present
Co-founded and chair the board of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing nutrition, English language, tutoring, and vocational programs to underserved children and families in Guatemala.
Secure funding, manage budgets, and supervise educators delivering instruction and continuing education scholarships for young women in the El Hato community.
Provide ongoing governance and strategic oversight, ensuring program sustainability and alignment with community needs.
Oxford Language Center
Guatemala City, Gt
Founder / Director
2004 – 2009
Executive Director
2019 – 2022
Founded and built Guatemala’s leading English language learning and exam preparation institution, achieving official Cambridge Assessment Centre status.
Oversaw financial management, budgeting, and a successful transition to online program delivery.
Cultivated strategic partnerships with corporate, government, and embassy stakeholders, strengthening institutional reputation and reach.
Mentored and supervised faculty and staff, upholding rigorous standards of instructional quality and professionalism.
The Asian Crown School
Middle & High School Teacher, English Language Arts and Science
2001 – 2003
Taught English Language Arts and Science to Middle and High School students within an American curriculum framework at a 500-student international school.
Elected by international faculty as Foreign Teacher Liaison, representing colleague interests and concerns to school leadership and administration.
Coached the Middle School soccer team, contributing to student development beyond the classroom.
Gained firsthand experience in international school operations, multicultural classroom management, and cross-cultural staff collaboration in Southeast Asia.
Education
University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM
Bachelors of Arts (B.A.)
North American Montessori Association Columbia, MD
Whole School Management in Administration
Selected Achievements
Cambridge International Accreditation: Led Antigua Green School through the full Cambridge International inspection and accreditation process (2015/2016) — facilities, curriculum, faculty, students, and governance. earning the school’s distinction as Guatemala’s first accredited Cambridge International School.
Sustainable Learning Environments: Led the design and construction of environmentally friendly classrooms, a library, a playground, and gardens at El Hato Public School, integrating sustainability into the student experience.
Facilities Leadership: Directed a multidisciplinary team of architects, contractors, educators, and parents in constructing Antigua Green School’s K-12 facilities to U.S. Green School Council and Cambridge International standards.
School Founding & Leadership: Founded and led multiple distinct schools and educational organizations across Guatemala, each tailored to its community’s needs, with a consistent record of long-term financial sustainability.
Curriculum Innovation: Designed and secured grant funding for diverse educational initiatives, including a botanical science and visual arts curriculum delivered at the Rikers Island Prison Complex in New York.