DR. Yerko Sepulveda

Dr. Sepúlveda is an experienced teacher-trainer, educational consultant, administrator, K-12 teacher, and college instructor with a strong background in educational innovation, maker-centered learning, DEIJ, cultural sensitivity, and critical pedagogy. He is the former director of Teaching & Learning at the Technological University of Chile, where he was able to develop programs for students of an underrepresented background, improving achievement and graduation rates. His work gave him international recognition and made him the recipient of the Dr. Miguel Alvarez Research Award at the University of Texas in San Antonio in 2019 for accomplishing outstanding goals with marginalized students. He has facilitated learning for teachers in Chile, The Dominican Republic, Colombia, The United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Tunisia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Malta, France, Russia, Romania, The Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Australia. Currently, Dr. Sepúlveda is the Director of Community Engagement and Belonging at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston, SC. He also serves as a national and international leader in the following programs: - Mentor in the Aspiring Leaders of Color program offered by AIELOC (Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color). - Instructional coach for Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he has facilitated learning for teachers in over 20 countries. - A faculty member at SDLC (Student Diversity Leadership Conference) hosted by NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools). Dr. Sepúlveda holds a B.A. in English & Education, an M.A. in Applied Linguistics, and an M.Ed. in Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies from Texas Tech University. He also completed his Ph.D. in Linguistics and intercultural communication. He is also a published author of several refereed articles and book chapters. His research interests include international mindedness, 21st-century teaching frameworks, participatory creativity, maker-centered learning, critical pedagogy, DEI, faith-based education, and intercultural competence. Yerko has presented his work at conferences in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, England, and throughout the United States.