iriaalwayslearning

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Oak Park, Illinois, United States

About the store

I'm Iria Balayo — a bilingual educator, instructional designer, and educational technology specialist originally from Galicia, Spain, now teaching Kindergarten in the Cicero Public School District (D99) near Chicago, IL. I create classroom-tested, research-informed resources that are practical, engaging, and ready to use from day one. Every resource in this store comes from real classroom experience — designed by a teacher who knows what actually works with young learners. With over 10 years in education across Spain, the UK, and the US, I've taught in bilingual dual programs, designed eLearning for international universities, and led PBL and STEAM projects at the elementary level. Currently teaching Kindergarten in a bilingual dual program at D99 (Chicago area), where I develop resources aligned with iReady and Amplify curricula. I also supervise university students and teach in a Master's in Education & ICT at the UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya).

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Bilingual resource: Learn to Write! - ¡Aprendo a escribir!

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iriaalwayslearning

ENGLISH:An interactive resource to practise tracing and early writing skills in a simple, visual, and guided way. It’s especially great for students using Chromebooks, as they can trace directly with their finger or a digital pen. ESPAÑOL: Un recurso interactivo para practicar el trazo y los primeros pasos en la escritura de forma sencilla, visual y guiada. Es ideal para alumnos que trabajan con Chromebook, ya que pueden trazar directamente con el dedo o con un bolígrafo digital.

PreK - 1st

Balanced Literacy, Handwriting, Writing

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About the store

Experience

Teaching style

I believe learning should feel like an adventure — especially for our youngest students. My teaching style blends play-based learning, cooperative structures, and data-driven instruction. I design resources that are visual, hands-on, and multilingual, because I know that in a dual bilingual classroom, every child deserves materials that meet them where they are. My resources are low-prep, high-impact, and built for real classroom routines.

Awards & shining teacher moments

Presenting a gamified workshop on AI and Teacher Digital Competence at UOC Barcelona — watching experienced educators "defeat EDU-BOT" and walk away excited about technology in the classroom. Being part of Empower Digi Teach, a European project boosting teacher digital competence across countries. Publishing research on Teacher Digital Competence and AI use (University of Alicante, 2024). And every single time a Kindergartener runs up to the board to show what they know — that never gets old. 🌟

My own education history

PhD in Educational Technology (in progress) — Universidad de Alicante (2024–2027) · Master's in Teaching & Learning in Digital Environments — Universitat de Barcelona (2014–2016) · Degree in Psychopedagogy — Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (2010–2014) · Degree in Primary Education, specializing in Therapeutic Pedagogy — USC (2008–2010) · Degree in Multimedia, Technology & Design — UOC (2005–2008)

Additional biographical information

I'm a lifelong learner — always curious, always building something new. When I'm not in the classroom or designing resources, I'm researching the impact of AI on education, tutoring university students, or collaborating with educators around the world. I'm a member of Women in Tech® Global, peer reviewer for SAGE Publications (FIIB Business Review), and a firm believer that creativity is the engine that makes education transformative. Oh, and I have a cat. 🐱