Isla Mujeres is a little piece of paradise just off the coast of Cancun. Once it was a sleepy fishing village with a tranquil, slow-paced lifestyle. But the white sand beaches with turquoise waters and glorious sunsets have attracted a thriving tourist industry. The Mayan culture with its delicious food and unique cultural offerings are central to the island’s charm. Isleños are warm and welcoming to visitors, but without a working understanding of the English language many service industry jobs are beyond their reach. The ability to speak English has become critical to making a living wage on Isla Mujeres.
The Founders of the School
Maggie (a retired Physical Therapist) and Tom (a retired Firefighter) Washa began visiting the island from Wisconsin a few months at a time starting in 1991. After listening to many conversations by local people about their need for an English school on Isla, Maggie decided to get certified as an ESL teacher. When a local Mayan friend showed her an empty lot and told her it was where to build the school, the future was set.
A Dream is Realized
In 2003 Maggie and Tom used their own money, time and sweat to purchase the lot and construct the building in the La Gloria community. The School was legally designated as a not-for-profit Mexican Civil Association. The mission of the School is to give the residents of Isla Mujeres the opportunity to learn English regardless of their financial resources. It opened in 2004 with a small group of dedicated volunteers teaching four classes.
Now in 2011 the School provides students with up to 10 classes a day, each taught by one of two full-time licensed English teachers. Since it’s inception, the School has been run on an unpaid, volunteer-basis by the founder, Maggie Washa.
HOW TO FIND US
Isla Mujeres is a small island, just six miles long and one half miles wide, located off the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, just a short ferry ride from Cancun. La Gloria English School can be found in the La Gloria neighborhood, about four miles from the town center of Isla Mujeres.
La Gloria English School
Mza. 156, Lote 20,
Calle Lizeta, Colonia La Gloria
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
Mexico c.p. 77400
Phone: 52 998-274-0243
Email: lagloria@gmail.com
Thanks to www.worldatlas.com for the use of this map.
Find us by cab or bus: Ask the driver to take you to the English School (Escuela de Ingles). Directing them to La Gloria School may be confusing as there are a number of schools in the La Gloria community.
Find us by golf cart or moped: Drive south from the town centre, turning left (east, towards the Caribbean) and curve right to go past the air strip. Continue south past the PEMEX gas station, and just past the Kindergarden. Take the left turn so you are again travelling along the eastern Caribbean shoreline.(Follow the Garaffon signs). Continue past the Mango Café and La Villa la Bella (with a sign “Beer so cold it will make your teeth hurt”). Continue south another mile past a white and gold two-storey apartment building on the right. Immediately start counting intersections and turn right at the 3rd street at the apartment building Casitas del Mar. The street name is Calle Lizeta. The School is up the hill one and a half blocks on the left-hand side.
From in the community of La Gloria, the English School is directly east up the hill from the new Super Express grocery store.
FRIENDS OF LA GLORIA ENGLISH SCHOOL (FOLGES)
P.O. Box 1847
Madison, Wisconsin 53701-1847
Email: folges@gmail.com
Some great links to learn more about Isla Mujeres
Some additional links for booking your stay on Isla Mujeres
