Stories from Everywhere Episode 36: Pure Life, Pure Art: How Creativity Thrives in Costa Rica’s Classrooms

In this heartfelt episode of Stories from Everywhere, host Jill L. Ferguson reconnects with children's book illustrator, former student, friend, and international art educator Gloria Castillo, joining us from sunny Costa Rica — where pura vida is more than a phrase, it’s a way of teaching and living.  Currently employed by GSD International School, Gloria shares her unexpected journey from a childhood shaped by art as emotional refuge to becoming the sole K–12 art teacher in international schools across the San Francisco Bay Area and Costa Rica. She opens up about how art became her therapy — and why she now strives to make her classroom a safe haven for students who don’t always thrive in traditional academics.  Together, Jill and Gloria dive into the realities of teaching visual arts in an IB program without air conditioning, the pressures today’s teens face to create “perfect” Pinterest-worthy work, and how the rush for instant results is stealing joy from the creative process. Gloria explains how she encourages students to slow down, trust their instincts, and create from the inside out — even when they only have 45 minutes a week to find their muse.  The conversation also travels beyond the classroom into Costa Rican culture — from dual citizenship and international families relocating for a better life, to organic living, star-fruit trees in the backyard, Caribbean rice-and-beans cooked in coconut oil, and the country’s deep commitment to education and the arts.  Warm, reflective, and quietly powerful, this episode is a love letter to creativity, community, and the teachers who shape lives long after the bell rings. If you’ve ever wondered how art can heal, how slowing down can be revolutionary, or what pura vida really feels like — this one’s for you.