About me
A coach, an educator, a guide.
I am passionate about learning and human connection, and I have found in coaching and curriculum development the way to blend them.
Estefania Suarez Cortes · Communication Coach
My story
Understanding emotions has been a constant in my life
I grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, in a loving and caring family where, nevertheless, difficult conversations often failed. As a child and teenager I channeled my emotions through music and drawing — a path that led me to study fine arts, exploring and depicting the sensations that emotions produce in the body.
As a school teacher, I encouraged my students to express their feelings through art. In 2016 I moved to New York for graduate studies at Teachers College, Columbia University, where I worked as a research assistant, special needs tutor, educational consultant, and curriculum developer. New York taught me to analyze all the variables that may influence our individual and collective behavior.
Language accuracy, agility to grasp and use our culturally dependent non-verbal expressions, empathy, and all of the hardest soft skills — especially self-awareness — are fundamental to achieve assertive communication and thrive.
Why me
A method built on awareness
My training in sociology and significant experience with professionals, especially in the tech industry, have given me a vast understanding of interpersonal and organizational communication challenges.
I employ metacognition (awareness of one's thinking), mindfulness practices, and improvisation activities to break old communication patterns and create new ones during practical sessions.
As a second language speaker, I know the struggle to feel confident when communicating.
My background
More than 12 years of teaching and coaching
- More than 12 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and curriculum development.
- Master's degree in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC.
- Certified Mindfulness and Education facilitator with BREATHE International.
- Certified Trauma-Informed Somatic-Oriented Practitioner.
- Studied Fine Arts and Art History at the University of Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
- Volunteer with the SoyDoy Foundation in biweekly self-awareness and risk prevention workshops for low-resource teenage girls.
- I love to sing — since childhood I've been part of classical and contemporary choirs.
- I live in Bogotá, Colombia, with my lovely husband and my soft cat.
Education
Formal training
2023
Trauma and Somatics
Trauma-Informed and Somatic-Oriented Practitioner
2021
BREATHE International
Mindfulness and Education Facilitator
2018
Teachers College, Columbia University
Master of Arts in Sociology and Education
2012
University of Los Andes, Bogotá
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Art History