Robert van der Eyken is the Director of Academia Cotopaxi American International School in Quito, Ecuador. Robert joined Academia Cotopaxi after a career in international schools around the world. He was inspired to become an educator after attempting to bicycle and motorcycle around the world and returned to Canada where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and a Bachelors of Education from Nipissing University. He was a teacher in Namibia in southern Africa, a teacher at a remote First Nation community in northwestern Ontario, Canada,  a teacher then Vice Principal at John F. Kennedy American School in Queretaro, Mexico, a Middle School Principal at American School Foundation of Monterrey, a Middle School Principal at Euroamerican School of Monterrey, the Head of School at Hangzhou International School in China, the Director of Casablanca American School in Morocco and most recently a consultant and teacher in the Republic of Macedonia. He has also obtained a Masters in Education from Framingham University in Massachusetts and a certification in Early Childhood Education in Mexico. With Robert's vast experience of more than a quarter of a century in international schools, he believes that a school is a reflection of the future we desire for our children and the world. With the innovative and talented teachers at Academia Cotopaxi, IMAGINE and the ONE Institute, he is honored to lead a school that strives to forge a better world and is proud to support the school's mission and be part of a very special learning community. You can contact him at director@cotopaxi.k12.ec