Porcupine Communication

Hi, I’m Verónica.

An English language teaching professional with over 20 years of experience working in diverse educational contexts.

Like many ELT teachers, my initial training was all about language with next to nothing on how to handle real, messy, human behavior in the classroom.

What followed were years of trial by fire.

I tested various strategies, even contradictory ones. I borrowed tips from parenting courses. I read up on child psychology and brain development.

Yet, I still wondered why some lessons felt so incredibly hard for me and my students.

Eventually, my curiosity (and survival instinct) led me to train as a Gestalt psychotherapist.

And what I discovered changed everything. I realized that behavior is communication. And, it’s rooted in connection. When we understand what’s behind the behavior, we can respond with clarity, confidence and compassion.

Today, this understanding guides everything I do

Mentoring teachers in The Connected Classroom: A behavior management for ELT teachers who want to thrive, not just survive.

Delivering DEIB Consultancy for ELT educators and organizations. Training sessions, workshops and courses.

Facilitating listening-centered spaces for conversations about social justice or end-of-life matters, including death, dying, and grief.

Classrooms are microcosms of the world.

Students come to school carrying questions, opinions, emotions, and lived experiences. In these formative years, they’re trying to make sense of a complex world filled with both information and misinformation.

When students lack the language, developmental capacity, or tools to express what they’re carrying inside, behavior becomes communication.

Teachers hold incredible influence, and I support them in building classrooms that reflect the just, inclusive, and hopeful world we want to create together.

Through curiosity, connection, and honest conversation, classrooms can shape not just strong learners, but thoughtful future global citizens.

If you’d like to learn more about how I support educators, get in touch.

"I found Verónica’s webinar and her observations about classroom management so insightful that I chose to reference her work in my book on inclusion. The points she made about handling conflict and prejudice really resonated with me”.

“I worked with Verónica through behavior management workshops and an ongoing DEIB group for ELT teachers. As a teacher of teens, I had tried all the usual suggested strategies and was still struggling with a challenging class. Verónica’s thoughtful, equity-centered approach helped me move out of survival mode. She offers an effective, contemporary model for classroom behavior suited to our rapidly changing educational landscape.”

“As a new teacher in one of my first roles, with no administrative support, I often felt alone in the classroom. After a painful classroom conflict, Verónica helped me see my students as emotional human beings. Her guidance transformed how I handled conflict, engagement, and connection in class. I highly recommend her to any teacher.”

“I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years. I attended Verónica’s workshop at the TESOL Spain North–British Council Conference, and it was genuinely inspiring. I’ve been sharing her ideas with my team. I particularly loved the part about how to structure transformative talks. Teaching has become more challenging in recent years, and her session was a great reminder of how important it is to be ready and willing to support this new generation of students.”

“Verónica’s thoughtful and engaging DEIB training invited deeper reflection on inclusive language and the unseen impact of everyday communication. She created a warm and welcoming, supportive space that encouraged open discussion and offered practical guidance to support more mindful, respectful, and inclusive communication. I would definitely recommend Verónica’s training.”

Watch me deliver a mini-webinar for the British Council

on how to respond to offensive language in the classroom. An example of how to turn a sticky moment into a learning opportunity using respect, empathy and Calling-in skills.

Watch the British Council mini-webinar here.

The Story Behind Porcupine Communication

The name comes from a Zen parable I often share in my trainings.

During the coldest winter ever, porcupines huddled together for warmth. At first, their quills hurt each other, so they drifted apart, only to freeze alone. They decided to try again. In the end, they learned to stay close, understand the small discomforts, and thrive together.

In the classroom, communication can be much the same. Students and teachers have “quills” — habits, misunderstandings, and frustrations that can make connection uncomfortable. With the right skills, we can work through those sticky moments, respect each other’s space, and create a connected, warmer learning environment for everyone.

At Porcupine Communication, I support teachers in developing the skills to respond to challenges, maintain respect, and strengthen classroom community, even when things get a little prickly.