From Cosmic Education to Cosmic Mission: The Path to Adulthood
with Gudalupe Borbolla & Gena Engelfried
From Cosmic Education to Cosmic Mission: The Path to Adulthood
Cosmic education is the basic philosophy behind the mind and psychology of the 6 to 12 child. We will explore the amazing journey that the adolescent has to undertake to reach a full, happy, responsible life with the most essential elements that have to do with maturity, accountability, as well as emotional, social and economic independence. Adaptation skills are required to perform such an incredible conquest. The adolescent is a worrier and a hero in its own right.
Guadalupe Borbolla
With a dual nationality México/Spain, Guadalupe Borbolla is the Director of Training at the Primary and Adolescent levels in Instituto Montessori de Mexico, A.C. (IMMAC) in Mexico and Spain, affiliated with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Guadalupe has a degree in Political Science, a postgraduate degree in Special Education and a Master's in Education. She has been the Director of Colegio Montessori de Tepoztlán, A.C, in Cuernavaca, Morelos, México, for 35 years, which has a complete program for children from 1 to 18 years of age, including a farm for adolescents in Chiconcuac, Morelos. She is a Montessori teacher for the Assistants to Infancy, Primary, Elementary and Adolescent levels. She has been a pioneer in implementing adolescent Montessori education in Mexico since 1990.
Guadalupe has more than 45 years of experience in the field of Montessori education. She is an international speaker and has participated in the training of Montessori teachers in different countries of the world. She is an AMI/USA consultant and has been a member of the AMI Board of Directors.
Gena Engelfried
Gena Engelfried (she/her) is an AMI 12–18 Auxiliary Trainer with extensive experience in Montessori education, school leadership, and national and international consulting. Gena’s work focuses on adolescent development, Montessori fidelity, and supporting schools in creating meaningful, developmentally aligned learning environments. She holds an AMI Primary Diploma from Sion Hill College (Ireland) and a 12–18 Diploma through NAMTA. She also earned a BA in History and Creative Writing, a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Redlands, public teaching and administrative credentials, and a Parent Education Certificate from UCLA.
Gena currently serves on the faculty of the International Montessori Training Institute, where she brings together scholarly insight and practical experience to support educators, leaders, and communities worldwide. She lives in rural Southwest Virginia with her husband, is the mother of four adult daughters, and grandmother to five. She enjoys farming, music, fishing, kayaking, and hiking along the Appalachian Trail.