Kristýna graduated from the Václav Hollar School of Art and subsequently from the Faculty of Education at Charles University. After graduating, she started teaching in a kindergarten, where she discovered the great impact adults can have on the upbringing and education of children.

She taught both in kindergartens and for a while in primary school English and art education. In 2017, she became the director of an international bilingual kindergarten where she successfully built a bilingual education system for preschool children from scratch. The kindergarten became a success in the neighborhood and Christine ensured continuity of quality after her departure in 2021. At that time, she began her position as Key Collaboration Manager at Teacher Alive, a non-profit organization that trains teachers and principals.

In 2022, as manager, she began leading a pilot project for a new qualification for headteachers at the National Institute of Education in Prague, which is now running successfully at the institute. In 2024 and 2025 she worked on a new project in systemic support for headteachers in the country.

Kristýna has been involved in the Eduzměna working group, the 2030+ Partnership, and is a member of the Early Childhood Education Association, among others. She has written a children's book and is a proud mum. Kristýna loves nature, hiking in the mountains and hills, playing sports, practicing yoga and reading a huge number of books.

And what is Christine's mission at Maple Bear?

I have spent the last four years devoted to an intensive study of everything a school principal needs to know to provide a quality and safe environment for children, teachers and parents. My goal is to create a school where every child is the center of attention, where they learn to their fullest potential and are excited to come to school every day.

At Maple Bear, I’m responsible for welcoming new families, daily communication with parents, and building the school’s community life. I guide parents through the entire enrollment and school selection process to ensure they feel welcomed and supported.

In the past, I have also provided individual consultations for families choosing preschools and primary schools, as well as mentoring for preschool educators. I have over 15 years of professional experience in the field of education, particularly supporting children and young people with disabilities. I have worked as a preschool teacher with a focus on the inclusion of children with special educational needs and multilingual backgrounds. In the non-profit sector, I have been involved in advocacy work for inclusive education.

I come from Italy, and multilingualism has always been a central theme in both my personal and professional life. I approach it from an interdisciplinary perspective—through linguistics, intercultural communication, and sociology. I’m also raising a bilingual son and strongly believe that linguistic and cultural diversity enriches not only children but society as a whole.

In my free time, I enjoy singing and escaping into the forest or near water. Some of my favorite moments are sitting for long meals with the people I love.

Renata graduated with a degree in teaching Psychology and Physical Education from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University. After completing her Master’s degree, she spent two years in New Zealand, where she studied English and worked in preschools.

Since 2011, she has taught English at a primary school in Prague and also worked at a private grammar school as a teacher of Social Studies and Physical Education.

In 2017, together with her husband, a New Zealand native, she founded a language school, where they developed their own curriculum designed to motivate children to learn English in a fun and playful way. They use the principles of the CLIL method, project-based learning, and language immersion.

Renata is raising two bilingual daughters and has long been dedicated to pedagogy that places the child at the centre of the learning process. She is now eager to apply her international experience in the Maple Bear environment.

In her free time, Renata loves traveling, the sea, sunshine, sports, music, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Hello! I'm Ms. Zandee, the Preparatory class Language Teacher at Maple Bear. I grew up in Arizona and earned my degree in Elementary Education. My love for literacy started in kindergarten during daily story time with books like What a Wonderful World. I still remember how calm and happy those moments made me feel. That memory continues to shape how I teach: student-centered, engaging, and built around meaningful books and shared stories.

Before Maple Bear, I taught preschool and worked as an Education Coordinator, where I led STEM and academic programs. These roles deepened my understanding of early childhood development and creative learning. I believe children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and inspired. I strive to build a classroom where they’re valued, curious, and excited to learn.

Outside of school, I enjoy biking by the river, reading outdoors, and spending time with my family and our dog, Reese.

My name is Eliška, and I am the Czech teacher at Maple Bear. I studied Pedagogy and Mathematics at the Faculty of Education. My journey in education began in the Scouts, where I led a children’s group and worked as a lecturer in leadership training courses. Later, I spent five years teaching in a kindergarten and also gained experience through many years of childcare.

I believe in building warm and positive relationships with children and supporting their natural curiosity. In my free time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my daughter, and being close to my family. I am very happy to be part of Maple Bear and to accompany your children on their learning journey.

I hold a double major in Psychology and English, with honours in Neuropsychology from the University of Connecticut. Specialising in early child development through play therapy. I combine neuroscience and education to create engaging, effective learning experiences. As an English language instructor with eight years of experience in private and state schools.I believe every child learns differently.My teaching prioritises individual strengths, fostering confidence through positive reinforcement, interactive activities, and personalised attention. I champion hands-on, experiential learning in warm, safe environments where students feel empowered to explore and grow.Beyond teaching, I’m an avid reader, I love traveling and keeping active, which enriches my classroom with diverse perspectives.Teaching is a passion for me.

I aim to ignite a lifelong love of learning using play-based techniques to help each child thrive. Education should be a fun adventure, inspiring, and full of discovery

I graduated from the Pedagogical Lyceum at the Secondary Pedagogical School in Litomyšl and I am currently completing my Master’s degree at the Faculty of Education, Charles University. My favourite subjects to teach are Czech language, elementary science, and art education.

I have been teaching for six years. I have worked at both public and private primary schools, as well as in a kindergarten. I have experience with the Step by Step programme, project-based learning, verbal assessment, and teaching pupils with different mother tongues. I enjoy creating teaching materials that support multisensory learning, because I believe that the more senses are engaged in the learning process, the better children remember what they have learned.

I put great emphasis on creating a positive classroom climate, building strong relationships among children, and fostering their connection to society. For me, teaching is not only about passing on knowledge, but also about helping children become aware of their place in the world and grow into people who can think in wider contexts. That is why I like to include projects that connect learning with real life and social issues. Since I focus on children with specific learning difficulties, I am always looking for ways to make learning as accessible as possible for every child. I see education as a long-term process, in which children not only gain skills but also build a relationship with the world and with themselves.

In my free time, I enjoy practicing yoga, swimming, arranging flowers, and exploring new countries and cultures. Creating teaching aids is, for me, not only part of my professional work but also a form of relaxation.

I have been working with children for 20 years – from my very beginnings, when I was still a student working as a part-time nanny in several families, through 2 years of experience as a nanny in a children's group, several years of managing summer camps and then 5 years of experience as a teacher in an afternoon club.

All of these experiences has now led me to Maple Bear, where I am in charge of the afternoon club and everything related to it. From creating a safe and loving atmosphere for children, through activities and games that will be our daily routine, after-school trips to supporting the independence and growth of each child.

My biggest goal in Maple Bear is to create such a sense of security for each child that they return to school every morning with a smile. I believe that if you do your job with love, everything works

by itself. And for me love for children is something that accompanies me throughout my whole life.

I like to spend my free time with the closest people, preferably in nature, reading books or riding horses.