Meet our leadership team

With an international career. He was born in England and worked in London and the Northeast. In 2011, he moved to Egypt and later to Mexico City, where he served as Director at Edron and ITJ Zona Esmeralda for the first time. He also led TAE and now once again heads ITJ Zona Esmeralda with a vision of growth and excellence.

María Fernanda Crespo Cordovez is a passionate educational leader who believes that education has the power to transform lives, open doors, and help every child discover their unique potential.

With more than two decades of experience in education across Latin America and the United States, María Fernanda has built her career around a deep commitment to meaningful learning, educational innovation, and the holistic development of children. Her international journey includes leadership roles in prestigious educational institutions, as well as serving as Undersecretary of Educational Fundamentals in Ecuador’s Ministry of Education, where she helped shape national educational policies impacting millions of learners. Her experience has strengthened her belief that every child deserves an education that is purposeful, inclusive, and full of possibility.

María Fernanda holds degrees in Psychology and Education from Universidad San Francisco de Quito, as well as a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from the University of Cádiz, Spain. Her professional journey also includes extensive experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the International Schools Partnership (ISP), alongside ongoing engagement with educational research, assessment, and innovation.

As Lower School Principal at ITJ Zona Esmeralda, María Fernanda is committed to creating a learning community where academic excellence goes hand in hand with wellbeing, curiosity, creativity, and respect. She believes that schools should be places where children feel safe to ask questions, courageous enough to embrace challenges, and empowered to learn from their mistakes. Equally, she sees teachers as lifelong learners whose growth and collaboration are essential to creating extraordinary learning experiences.

Her leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple but powerful conviction: when children feel valued, challenged, and inspired, they discover that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.

Beyond her professional life, María Fernanda loves spending time with her family and discovering new places and cultures. She enjoys singing, cooking, and scrapbooking. creative pursuits that reflect her appreciation for connection, expression, and the joy found in everyday moments.

For María Fernanda, education is much more than preparing children for the next stage of school. It is about helping them become compassionate, confident, and curious individuals who can make a meaningful difference in the world. Every day, she strives to ensure that each child’s journey is shaped by the belief that they belong, their voice matters, and their possibilities are limitless.

Omar Álvarez is the Director of Middle & High School at ITJ, with more than 19 years of experience as both a teacher and principal in secondary and high school.

He holds a Master’s in Educational Intervention from Universidad Intercontinental, a Postgraduate degree in Education from the University of Buckingham, and a Master’s in Management of Educational Institutions from his alma mater, Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Passionate about technology, Omar constantly seeks innovative ways to enrich teaching and learning. Outside of school, he enjoys climbing and spending quality time with his family.