New year, new faces!

Author: Eleni Kefala

We are more than happy to welcome back our Czech teacher Miss Iva, who has decided not to continue at the well-known Slovanské gymnázium and is returning to our school to teach our students the beauty of the Czech language! We are also very excited to welcome Miss Maria from Greece, who will be working as an ESL teacher and After School Club leader as well as Miss Zuzana who will join our preschool team. Finally, we are welcoming two new class teachers for Y4 and Y7/8, Miss Kayleigh from the UK and Miss Barbora from the Czech Republic! Read their interviews below:

Name: Iva Tenorova

Position: Czech teacher

-Where did you grow up?

I spent my childhood with my sister in the countryside not far from Olomouc. If I remember well, that time was full of freedom, nature, friends, books, music and films.

-Where have you worked and lived previously?

In ISO, of course. Other experiences include secondary schools (Grammar school, Health school) and Palacky University (Faculty of Arts).

-What is your most prized possession?

Surely my most prized possession is motherhood. The best times in my life have been the times spent with my sons. I know the children in ISO will remind me of that time. I am looking forward to teaching them for that reason too.

-What is the last song you listened to?

Lana Del Rey: Art Deco (I love her album Honeymoon).

-Would you rather have a flying carpet or a car that can drive underwater and why? 

Definitely a flying carpet, but a spaceship could be even better. It could fulfill my dream of a lifetime - to watch the Earth orbiting from afar!

Name: Maria Kouromichelaki

Position: ESL teacher and ASC leader

-Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a Cretan city called Chania, in Greece. 

-Where have you worked and lived previously?

I both lived and worked as an English teacher in my hometown Chania, in Greece.

-What is your most prized possession?

A pendant that my grandmother gave me. 

-What is the last song you listened to?

“The only one” by James Blunt. 

-Would you rather have a flying carpet or a car that can drive underwater and why? 

I would love to have a flying carpet so that I can fly above the whole world and admire new places from up there without any limits! I spend most of my year underwater anyway as an island girl and sea lover so let’s try something new!

Name: Kayleigh Brewster

Position: Y4 class teacher

-Where did you grow up?

Since my father served in the Military, I moved around a lot as a child so this question is a little hard for me to answer! I lived in various places in England and even Canada when I was a child. The place I have lived the longest is Grantham in Lincolnshire which is also where my parents have settled. 

-Where have you worked and lived previously?

When I finished my undergraduate degree I moved to Australia and then Canada to work as an au pair. I then moved to South Korea where I taught English as a foreign language before moving back to the UK to complete my postgraduate degree in Education. 

-What is your most prized possession?

My favourite pastime is reading and so my most prized possession is definitely a book - I just can’t decide which one! 

-What is the last song you listened to?

The last song I listened to was “Don’t Feel Like Crying” - by Sigrid.

-Would you rather have a flying carpet or a car that can drive underwater and why?

I think I would rather have a flying carpet because then I would be able to see the world and the view would be fantastic!

Name: Barbora Daníčková

Position: Y7/8 classteacher

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Otrokovice, a small city near Zlín. Moravian born and raised!

Where have you worked and lived previously?

When I started studying at Palacky University, I was mainly still living in Otrokovice, but through the years I settled here. During my studies I worked in a café and in Pevnost poznání here in Olomouc as a lecturer and edutainer in an exhibition about the history of the fort. I finished university in June this year and teaching at ISO is my first full time job!

What is your most prized possession?

That's a hard question...I'm going to be romantic and say money can't buy you happiness.

What is the last song you listened to?

Sufjan Stevens - Futile Devices (a lovely song from movie Call Me By Your Name!).

Would you rather have a flying carpet or a car that can drive underwater and why? 

Hmm, probably a flying carpet is a better option for me - way more fun, fresh air, great view...Plus I really don't need to know or see what lives underwater so definitely a flying carpet. And then that might be my most prized possession!

Name: Zuzana Hájková 

Position: Preschool nanny, Lions section

Where did you grow up?

In an adorable Czech town called Kosmonosy. My primary school was located in a castle–I was 100% sure I was attending Hogwarts.

Where have you worked and lived previously?

After growing up in Kosmonosy, I moved in Olomouc to study at university. I wanted to try as many careers as possible, so I worked as a journalist, book reviewer, event manager or Czech-English translator. I also volunteered as a toddlers' nanny in Germany.

What is your most prized possession?

My diary, full of top secret information about my life.

What is the last song you listened to?

I just came home from preschool, where I work, so I guess it was something like Make a Circle or Baby Shark. Nursery rhymes are absolutely catchy and I just can't get them out of my head when I come home.

Would you rather have a flying carpet or a car that can drive underwater and why?

Definitely a flying carpet, as I could still sleep on my way to school.