Guillermo Duque Medina, associated with the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Loreto (Madrid), receives recognition for his educational method that unites music and learning.
The Spanish Conference of Religious (CONFER) has announced the winners of the 7th edition of the Carisma Awards, recognitions that highlight the evangelical commitment of individuals and institutions in various areas of social life. Among them, in the Education category, Guillermo Duque Medina, known as @Guilleproff, a teacher at FEC Jesús Maestro School (Barajas), has been awarded for his innovative pedagogical method based on music.
This recognition holds special significance for the Augustinian Recollect family, as Guillermo has been deeply connected since childhood to the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Loreto, served by the Augustinian Recollects of the Province of Santo Tomás de Villanueva, and is part of the Augustinian Recollect Youth (JAR).
An award experienced as community recognition
As soon as the news broke, we were able to speak with Guillermo, who received the award with surprise and gratitude. Far from focusing on the personal aspect, he emphasized the collective nature of the award:
“It is a recognition for all teachers. Ultimately, this is a team effort, for all of us who give our all in the classroom every day.”
For him, it is also a new experience: he had never received an award before, which has heightened the emotion for this recognition that validates a vocation lived with dedication.
Music to learn… and educate the heart
Guillermo’s educational proposal stems from the intuition that learning can also be a joyful experience. His method combines music and academic content: from simple songs with guitar for the youngest children to more complex compositions—even with current rhythms—to facilitate memorization in higher grades.
In his classes, concepts such as even and odd numbers, spelling, or history become songs that students easily remember. But it is not just a didactic technique:
“I also try to offer them music that educates the heart, that transmits values.”
This initiative has had a notable impact on social media, where his videos have achieved widespread dissemination, showcasing another way of teaching that is more approachable, creative, and meaningful.
An Augustinian Recollect Heart
Guillermo acknowledges the imprint of the Augustinian charism in his life. His connection began in childhood, at the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Loreto:
“From a very young age, I lived it: camps, Easters, festivals… Ultimately, the Augustinian spirit is carried in the heart.”
He currently continues to actively collaborate in youth ministry, in coordination with the religious community, promoting the connection between the school and the parish. For him, this relationship is not optional, but essential:
“School ministry and the parish must go hand in hand. We enrich each other. Without a parish, we Christians are nothing.”
This vision clearly reflects one of the core tenets of Saint Augustine’s charism: communion and community.
Pastoral Creativity in Service of Faith
In the interview, Guillermo also shared a recent pastoral initiative at the school: the recreation of a sepulcher to explain Easter to the students. An immersive experience, promoted by the catechists, which has allowed many children to tangibly approach the central mystery of the Christian faith.
“They have done something immense and precious. Children can experience what Jesus lived, approaching it in a different way.”
The proposal was open to all students, not just those participating in catechesis, thus broadening the evangelizing scope of the initiative.
Putting Gifts at the Service of Others
Looking ahead to the coming months, Guillermo eagerly anticipates the award ceremony, which will take place in November in Madrid. But his message goes beyond recognition:
“Everyone has gifts that the Lord has given them. They must be put at the service of others.”
A simple and profoundly evangelical invitation that summarizes his vocation as an educator and believer.
A Source of Pride for the Augustinian Recollect Family
The entire Augustinian Recollect Family joins in the joy of this recognition. Guillermo Duque Medina’s journey is a testament to how the Augustinian charism continues to bear fruit today, including in the educational field.
His creativity, his dedication in the classroom, and his commitment to youth ministry are a shining example for so many young people.
We sincerely congratulate him for his courage in the classroom, for educating with passion, and for putting his talents at the service of others. We will accompany him at the Carisma Awards ceremony in November, because his award is also a shared pride for the entire Augustinian Recollect Family.
