Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that prepares kids for the ever-changing world of the future. Our team of educators have a diverse background of experience on the cutting edge of teaching and learning, whether they’ve worked in brick and mortar schools or dynamic online environments. In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the amazing educators behind Prisma.

Camil Aponte joined Prisma in Fall 2023 as a Learning Coach in our Middle School program.

Where are you based? 

I am based in Puerto Rico, where I was born and raised—although I lived in the USA for about 8 years. 

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Tell us a little bit about your background in education prior to joining Prisma. 

I have more than sixteen years of experience as an educator. I have a PhD in mathematics, which allowed me to develop and teach mathematics and computer science courses at the university as well as middle and high school level. For the past eight plus years, I’ve been a middle and high school educator, and was in charge of founding and developing the Innovation Sciences Department at my previous school. 

I am also a Neuroinclusive Coach and Consultant, which means I support and coach neurodivergent (ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, etc.) kids, adults, and their support systems, and I offer workshops to schools and organizations. This is actually how I learned about Prisma! I was approached by Claire Cummings, our Head of Middle School, and was asked to provide a series of workshops on neurodiversity to Prisma coaches and caregivers. 

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What most drew you to the role of learning coach at Prisma?

The more I learned about Prisma, the more I fell in love. Prisma is doing something unique and innovative. The structure, curriculum, culture, values, and approach are exactly what education should be all about. Prisma provides a space for learners to grow into their passions, and learn in a fun and engaging way. 

Can you tell us more about your philosophy in supporting neurodivergent learners? 

Besides the fact that I am neurodivergent (ADHDer and Autistic), throughout my years as an educator, I’ve seen how neurodivergent individuals struggle due to living in a society that still has much to learn about accommodating, embracing, and supporting them. I’ve also seen when we approach people by focusing on their strengths and leaning into their passions and interests, we can impact them in a positive way. 

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Why is a school like Prisma such a good fit for many neurodivergent kids? 

The curriculum at Prisma allows learners to learn about their strengths and use their passions in an organic and interdisciplinary way. The kids have the freedom to choose by having differentiated projects, quests, enrichments, and clubs. And they can build a community around their interests, too. Plus, being a virtual school allows learners to have certain tools like recordings, captions, transcripts, text-to-speech, and extra time, all at their fingertips in a way that fosters self-advocacy. 

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If you could pick one skill that all kids should master to prepare for the world of the future, what would it be and why? 

Self-advocacy: when we are able to understand ourselves, our rights, and our needs, and we are able to communicate that understanding, we set ourselves up for success. To me, it’s the most important social and communication skill, and it also teaches us to understand others’ needs as well. 

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What do you like to learn about, or what is something new you learned recently? 

I love to learn new things, I am an eternal student. I am constantly finding new things to learn in different areas, from art to computer science and technology, to medicine, like neuroscience. Recently, I’ve been tinkering with digital 3D sculpting with an app called Nomad Sculpt, and I would love to take those designs and transform them into real-life 3D-printed figurines.