Nursery

I love working at Duhovka not only because it is a beautiful, peaceful environment but there is also a
sense of peace within and amongst the staff. There is not the normal culture of negativity and blame I
have witnessed elsewhere. Issues are dealt with with openness, conversation and focus on the issue,
not an individual. The same approach is applied throughout the school, which supports a positive
environment.

Since moving to Prague in 2012 I have been working with young children. This was a great
preparation for having my own children. Being a mother of two small boys has given me the self-
awareness and experience to know how to be calm, even when everything else is not.
In 2015 I completed my AMS Early Childhood Teaching diploma. In addition to this, having a BA (hon)
in Interior Design and being the owner of a teahouse/community centre/theatre called A Maze in
Tchaiovna for 9 years taught me how to observe patterns in people, create new systems and design
solutions.

What I like about Duhovka

I chose to work at Duhovka as because it nurtures and values each child's own unique personality, allowing them to explore and learn in a way individual to themselves. When visiting the school, I noticed that the calm environment meant every child had space to be seen and heard. I am looking forward to seeing where their minds take them and seeing their personalities grow! The classroom is for the child, with the size of furniture and arrangement made specifically for them, showing that they are what is important. I am excited to work in an environment designed to make the children's independence shine.

Duhovka is a place for children where their individual needs are respected and their autonomy and self-motivation supported. Thanks to the carefully prepared environment and special materials, children can learn through sensorial perceptions, develop motor skills, and experience the feeling of self-competence which helps them grow self-confident. Interactions with friends of different age groups promotes their social skills and empathy. The approach used by Duhovka views a child’s development in a complex way. The children are able to grow in a safe and predictable environment where their individual needs and interests are appreciated.
Already during the times of my volunteer help at Duhovka, I had the honor of
following the development of several children from toddlers to preschoolers. This has been a crucial experience for me as it allowed me to see how the values and approach of the school reflected not only in these children’s skills but, indeed, in their personality and the development of their own interests and competencies.
I am currently in the last year of my psychology studies at the Philosophical Faculty of the Charles University. Already when I applied, I knew I would specialize in developmental psychology and work with children one day. I looked for further ways to achieve this goal: I completed study courses focusing on the leading of crisis assessment interviews with children and on anger management, as well as an introductory course to learn the method of neuro-developmental stimulation to support a healthy psychomotor development of children. I am a sports climbing instructor for children, and this past year I decided to continue my education and study in order to be able to work as a special learning needs teacher.

I first learned about Duhovka as a parent when we chose the preschool for our own son, then two years old, as a place that offered everything that was important to us – a respectful approach, Montessori pedagogy, bilingual Czech-English environment, everyday time and space for free play in a garden, and even food without sweets. Duhovka has perfectly fulfilled our expectations and has won our favor also thanks to its warm and friendly atmosphere and aesthetic environment. However, from the position of a teacher, I consider Duhovka’s greatest asset its sincere efforts to adjust the program, to the maximum extent possible, to the children’s development and needs at the given age. Some decision may not look attractive at first sight but the parents can be absolutely sure that their children always come first at Duhovka.

I got seriously interested in exploring respectful education approaches and
Montessori education after the birth of my son. The world of toddlers draw me in to the point where I decided to change my job and become first a child caretaker and later a teacher for the youngest children. My knowledge of foreign languages and the international environment, as well as my long-term interest in further education and self-development, which I carry from my former career helps me greatly at my current position with Duhovka. I do my best to pass to the children the values I as a parent believe in, and, just like the children, I learn something new at work every day.

I have graduated from a university specializing in (teaching) foreign languages, speak fluent English, German and Chinese, and also have a basic knowledge of the Polish language. I am an accredited child caretaker with experience from a children’s group for children from 2 to 4 years old, I have completed a study course in respectful education, and attended Montessori education lectures focusing on children from 0 to 3 years old. In my work I also draw on my experience from Montessori workshops for the youngest children and their parents.