A class of her own: country’s first teacher with Down’s syndrome

Meet Noelia Garella, the first person with Down’s syndrome to work as a teacher in Argentina

Despite being rejected from a nursery school as a “monster” when she was young, Noelia Garella now has a classroom of her own. Overcoming prejudice, Garella is the first person with Down’s syndrome to work as a nursery teacher in Argentina, and one of only a few in the world.

I adore this. Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a teacher

She was offered the position at the Jeromito kindergarten in Córdoba through her dedication to a profession she felt she was born to do. Garella, now 31, said: “I adore this. Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a teacher, because I like children so much.”

Image: Diego Lima/AFP


Reasons to support Positive News

#3: Join the movement for positive media 
Connect with others who are creating a thriving society. Positive News members get priority invitation to our events. We’re a magazine and a movement, changing the news for good.