Our Founder

Ana Maria Yap-Zubiri, or Teacher Ana, our Founder. How she started it all, in its most humble beginnings, is a story of courage, passion and a penchant for doing things right and doing it right by the people the school serves — the children, the parents, the faculty and staff.

Her passion lies in education as a means of the attainment of full human potential, and the uplifting of the human condition — by developing the new generations in accordance with the ever-expanding fund of human knowledge and experience, constantly seeking what knowledge is of most worth, and what makes for a life well-lived.

Her personal branding was marked with constant innovation and vision. In the time that she was actively building Brightwoods, she fondly quipped, “I breathe, eat and sleep Brightwoods School.” In the process, she set an ethic — of excellence, service and integrity — in a league of its own.

Teacher Ana continues to be the heart of Brightwoods, charting its direction amidst the changing times, towards everyone’s empowerment driven by the very same passion and motivation of the early years — which remains to be all about the people — the children, the parents, the faculty and staff, and now, all of humanity.

As the head of Brightwoods School, Teacher Ana’s commitment in revolutionizing learning and providing education that bears the stamp of love and excellence is remarkable.

Teacher Ana believes that education should be holistic, dynamic, and child-centered — one that will help young learners understand the world around them and grow into well-rounded individuals capable of realizing their dreams and fulfilling their vital roles in the greater scheme of things.

The school also upholds the belief that the pedagogy of learning should be accurately executed and accentuated with pedagogy of care, because the education of the mind is equally important to the education of the heart. Great learning takes place when the learners are placed at the center of the educational process — making them feel heard and valued — and when they are able to build a positive relationship with the significant adults responsible for their upbringing.

And today, with the changing landscape of education and contemporary times, Teacher Ana dreams of a new model of education, which puts as much importance on the mastery of the inner world as the outer.