Sean Bell

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Since joining the BECA team in 2011 as a volunteer, Sean has gone on to work in many roles during his time with BECA. He has worked as a classroom teacher and Program Manager helping develop, implement, and improve several of the organization’s programs. Sean currently works as BECA's Executive Director, providing oversight and leadership to all of the organization's operations.

What is your favorite travel memory?

As a BECA volunteer, I was afforded the wonderful opportunity to travel to many of the countries surrounding Honduras as well as throughout Honduras itself.

It's difficult to pinpoint one single moment or memory because there are so many! However, there is one thing that connects them – the generosity, kindness, and love of so many who opened their arms and their doors to share a little piece of their home with me. It's something I haven't found anywhere else in the world.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I grew immensely as a BECA volunteer because of the organization’s deeply rooted connections to community, unique opportunities to collaborate with local partners, and investment in the whole person. I walked away from my time in Honduras with a new perspective, deeper appreciation, and with a whole new set of professional skills that will no doubt serve me the rest of my life.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

The full-year volunteer experience is like no other. You get the opportunity to teach your own classroom of students, work closely with community partners to innovate and create, build meaningful relationships with other volunteers, teaching staff and parents of your students, receive a wealth of professional development, develop or deepen your fluency in Spanish, and truly grow as an individual.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I remember fondly an afternoon during spring break when a father and I were working side by side to expand our library from one room to two. Together we laughed, joked, talked of immigration and politics, of family and friends; at times we simply worked in silence.

The bond that was being formed and reinforced during that moment was unique and special. At the end of the day, we had broken down the wall between two rooms to create more space for our students and his children to read.

We also broke down the wall that exists between two people from different cultures, different backgrounds, and different experiences. This happens at BECA and in our communities on a daily basis.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

BECA is successful because we are not your run-of-the-mill international teaching program. We distinguish ourselves by the breadth and depth of our community engagement.

Local stakeholders maintain responsibility for the effective management of their schools. By building close-knit relationships with our in-country partners, we encourage capacity building and create avenues towards sustainability. We are an organization of love.