With more than 30 years of experience in international education, Maria Sweeney has taught and led in schools across the United States, Italy, and China. She began her career in 1990 as a Grade 5 teacher and has since taught nearly every primary grade, as well as middle school English, Social Studies, and English as an Additional Language. Her deep classroom experience later expanded into leadership roles, including Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Principal, and Elementary Principal. Maria most recently served as Director of Curriculum at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. Before this, she was the Founding Head of an independent school in Southern California, shaping its academic vision and community from the ground up. A dedicated advocate for student-centered learning, Maria believes that every child should feel valued, known, and supported in order to grow and succeed. She brings extensive experience in International Baccalaureate (IB) education and a personal connection to the programme as the spouse of an IB teacher and the parent of three IB Diploma graduates. Maria is committed to creating warm, nurturing, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments at XCL World Academy, where she champions an Early and Primary Years experience that inspires children, builds their confidence, and empowers them to flourish.