A Shift in Perspective: Ibis Valdés ‘10 on the Power of IB
For Ibis Valdés ‘10, one of the most pivotal chapters of her Gulliver experience began with a challenge.
“As a sophomore, I remember Mr. Ruben Valencia inviting our class to apply to the IB program and framing it as an opportunity to stretch ourselves and think differently,” she said. “That moment shifted my trajectory.”
Through the IB program, Valdés moved beyond memorization into deeper intellectual engagement. In classes with educators like Dr. Conea, she was challenged to think critically, question assumptions, and defend ideas with clarity and evidence. “It wasn’t about finding the ‘right’ answer,” she explained. “It was about understanding complexity and learning how to navigate it.”
One of her most defining academic moments came through Theory of Knowledge. “I remember being introduced to the concept of paradigms, not just as abstract frameworks, but as the invisible lenses through which we interpret reality,” she said. “That idea truly shifted something for me.” The experience challenged her to reconsider how knowledge is formed and shaped by culture, identity, and lived experience. “It planted the seed for the kind of thinking that later drew me to public policy and advocacy.”
That mindset was reinforced across her Gulliver experience. As a freshman, her English teacher, Mr. Schachner, pushed her to construct thoughtful, well-supported arguments. In Mr. Del Castillo’s film class, she explored how storytelling reflects power, identity, and social change. Through Model UN in Boston, she gained early exposure to global perspectives and diplomacy. And in Mr. Montero’s literature classes, she deepened her connection to her cultural roots while strengthening her voice in both English and Spanish.
“The discipline of asking ‘how do we know what we know?’ and being comfortable sitting in complexity has stayed with me,” Valdés said. “It allows me to approach challenges with empathy, nuance, and a deeper appreciation for the systems and assumptions that shape people’s realities.”
Reflecting on her experience, she added, “The IB program shaped how I think, how I relate to others, and how I approach building a more inclusive and equitable world.”
Today, those Gulliver experiences continue to influence how she leads and engages with the world. “No single perspective holds the full truth,” she said. “Effective leadership requires listening across differences and questioning assumptions.”
