Our teachers

What helps me in my work

I was an ESL student growing up in England and my 4 year old son is bi-lingual with English and Czech. This gives me a unique perspective when observing and teaching our students. Having worked at an International School for 9 years in Prague, previous to Duhovka, has given me a good grounding for working with students who come from a variety of backgrounds with individual needs.

Due to my previous teaching experiences being from the English State and International School systems, I felt my own teaching style was very much in line with the majority of Montessori principles and although the materials were completely new, I continue to learn about the benefits of using them to internalise skills and knowledge. With lead English teachers now in Lower and Upper Elementary we have joined up thinking in terms of how we work and the expectations of our ESL, Bi-lingual and Native English students in our classes.

What helps me in my work

Worked in various preschools in England, obtained a qualification in Early Years Education. Gained a TEFL qualification in Prague, including an additional course in Teaching Young Learners. Worked in a bilingual kindergarten in Prague, which had values that complement the Montessori approach. I attend Elementary Montessori training. I have had the opportunity to work with children in a variety of settings, which has created the invaluable skill of flexibility - I'm sure this will prove very helpful during my time at Duhovka, as not only do the individual and class needs of the children require flexibility but also the bilingual approach of working alongside other teachers in the classroom. Teaching English as a foreign language here in the Czech Republic will also prove beneficial to working at Duhovka as I know how to support children with varying levels of English - and how to make it fun.

What helps me in my work

I hail from sunny South Africa. I received my Bachelor Of Fine Arts degree (BFA) from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada. I have always had great respect for children and enjoyed working cross-culturally with children in various capacities, first as an Au Pair in Chicago, and then in several caregiver roles in the USA and Canada. After moving to the Czech Republic, I began teaching English to a class of 2-3 year olds at a bilingual Stara Boleslav preschool, before being appointed as Grade 1 English class teacher at a bilingual elementary school in Brandys Nad Labem, where I also taught English to Grade 3 and Art to Grades 1 - 3. I also enjoyed contributing to the planning and running of creative youth summer camp programs. I enjoy integrating my passion for the Arts and creativity into my classroom wherever possible. I love inspiring young minds to embrace a love of reading. When not teaching, you can find me, together with my cat, immersed in a good book or travelling, visiting art galleries and pursuing my passion of Photography.

What helps me in my work

I've been a Montessori guide for sixteen years and it is a way of life. The work of the guide is to first form oneself before one can give to the child. The Montessori method supports my desire to be a life long learner and I enjoy learning along side the child. When a child asks "What is this ?" my response is "I don't know, would you like to find out!"

The most helpful thing for me is certainly my degree, i.e., Teaching for Elementary School at the Pedagogical Faculty of Charles University, which gives me the necessary 'grounding', i.e., theoretical foundations concerning pedagogy in general and individual subjects. In addition, of course, I have also benefited from specialized courses such as Drama Education for Teachers and various other seminars and books on alternative education. Last but not least, it is the 7 years of experience in a traditional school and the upbringing of three children of my own that help me to maintain a realistic view of the field of education.

I am the daughter of a teacher, so I have always been close to this profession. I have been working with children since I was 16, when I started going to camps, first as a trainee and later as a leader, which led me to the choice to study teaching for elementary school. I came across the Montessori methodology and its system during my teaching practice at Na Beránku Elementary School, and I set myself the task to understand the internal system of a Montessori school. Since then, I know where my place is.

Teacher Education for elementary school, Faculty of Education, Charles University; 2.5 years internship in a Montessori school; Montessori trainng AMS 6-9.

Studying at the Faculty of Education, experience with children abroad, teaching practice in Duhovka since 2016, international Montessori training and last but not least my children, all this gives me the basis for my work as a teacher.

What helps me in my work

I've worked with children for over 25 years. I've been teaching at Duhovka Elementary school for the past 10 years and was previously at Duhovka Preschool for about 2 years. I have my BA in theology and my AMI certification for LE. Being a mother, a creative and a Montessorian with over 20 years in education and community service, as well as living over a decade abroad, have all significantly informed my teaching method.

Each of these life experiences have encouraged in me thoughtful creative problem solving skills, community awareness and responsibility and an empathic and respectful to approach myself and others, regardless of age! These are what I strive for and are the qualities promoted here at Duhovka.

In my work at Duhovka, I draw, among other things, on my collaboration with Professor Hejný under whose guidance I had the honor of writing my thesis. Professor Hejný provided me with excellent preparation for my future teaching practice and a new perspective on understanding the teacher's and student's approach in general. Thanks to him, I understood how much children benefit from self-discovery, finding unusual ways and their own solutions. Very helpful for working with children is also my daily practice with my own school-age children, who readily provide valuable feedback.

What helps me in my work

I have a degree in pedagogy from Charles University, 8 years of experience in elementary school, 2 years of experience in a Montessori school and a 2-year Montessori training. I am also a mother of three children. So, I spend most of my time among children and this makes me think about ways to ensure the best possible future for them. I believe that the right way are quality interpersonal relationships, free will and the ability to be responsible for one's actions. I want the children that surround me to experience wonderful moments of discovery in a calm and stimulating environment. This is the environment Duhovka creates.

What helps me in my work

I've spent many years coaching, working with young people and identifying that you need to ensure the child is comfortable and willing to cooperate to ensure a stable and effective learning foundation. I have completed the AMS Montessori Training lead by Judy Luman.

What helps me in my work

I enjoy working with children, discovering the world with them, and experiencing the fascination of knowledge... After graduating in the fields of teaching for elementary school and educational drama, I worked as a teacher at Škola Hrou for many years. While working at Duhovka, I have completed Montessori training (for ages 6 - 12). I have three big children who also teach me something new every day. The world is a fascinating mosaic for me, where each stone has its unique and unrepeatable place. Education: Teacher training for Elementary School, Drama Education, AMS Elementary I-II, AMI Cosmic Education in Elementary School (trainer Kay Baker), Montessori in the Czech Language.

What helps me in my work

With working in Duhovka, I find ways to utilize my previous education and general life skills. I observe the class and make assessments based on what I know about child development and education. I can also help the children practice and develop necessary life-long skills in areas such as practical life and social-emotional development.

What helps me in my work

The foundations are certainly my university studies at the Faculty of Education of Charles University, lifelong experience in school and leisure education in elementary schools and in various clubs, natural interest in respectful approach to people and nature and last but not least I must highlight especially my experience as a parent, where I learn every day and have a constant opportunity to move forward.

What helps me in my work

In my work at Duhovka I use the knowledge that I have gained while studying teaching for elementary school at the Faculty of Education of Charles University and during Montessori training with a focus on the age group 6 to 12 years. During my teaching practice I have participated in a number of interesting educational courses. I was most impressed by the course "Facing History" and a training program for mentors. My teaching practice has certainly been influenced by my interests, which include traveling and sport.

What helps me in my work

I graduated from the Faculty of Education of the University of Ostrava, majoring in Teaching for Elementary School. For ten years I taught English language at the Vladislav Vančura Elementary School in Prague 5 - Zbraslav. Here I gained the necessary experience that helps me a lot when working in the bilingual Montessori environment of Duhovka. I am currently completing the Montessori Teacher Education Program.

What helps me in my work

My pedagogical knowledge from university and my experience as a teacher help me in my work at Duhovka. When communicating with colleagues and pupils from bilingual backgrounds I mainly use my knowledge from a language school in Brighton.

What helps me in my work

My years of experience working with children and my work at a school abroad help me a lot in my work at Duhovka. This experience helps me to navigate well in a bilingual environment. Another great help has been my long-term travels in Southeast Asia, where I have met people of different cultures, habits, and religions. This life experience has made me stronger, and I often use it in my work with children. And I'm not done yet - Duhovka motivates me to continually deepen my education :)

Since 2006 assistant teacher in a school abroad and then for the last 3 years in Duhovka. Pedagogical studies - teaching assistant abroad and in the Czech Republic.

What helps me in my work

What helps me the most is my experience with different types of children. From the bright and quick learners to those who more or less struggle with learning. And definitely my experiences in Tanzania, where I learned patience while waiting 16 hours for a delayed train. :)

And of course my education and experience :)

• 7 years of experience (of which 4 years in a Montessori environment)
• Montessori courses: Czech for Explorers (Montessori Czech Republic), AMI Montessori 12-18 workshop (Jenny Marie Höglund), How to Start a Montessori Class (Montessori Elementary School Kladno), lecture by Claus-Dieter Kaul - Montessori 12-18
• Other courses: Philosophy for Children P4C, Complex Work with a Class Group, Research-oriented Teaching, Work with a Mistake in the Czech Language, Writing without Fear, Bullying

What helps me in my work

I enjoy creating new activities in the classroom. My inspiration for teaching Cosmic Education comes from travelling around Europe. The best practice for me is the upbringing of my five children :) I graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University (Mathematics - Computer Science). I taught Math/Programming in a high school (4 years), at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University (2 years), in Scio School (1 year), at the Montessori School Na Dlouhém lánu (2 years), in Duhovka (untill now) and during 6 weekend courses by Claus Dieter Kaul.

What helps me in my work

My education and life experience that I feel has mostly helped me is the times I have had to work with others. Every classroom in Duhovka is a team, even more than in other schools due to the bilingual nature of the school. I also feel that my IT experience has been of great use, not just as an IT teacher, but because I could contribute to classroom organization with my own skillset.