What is your name, how do children call you?

My name is Irina. My parents named me upon their favorite mountain Pirin.

The children often call me Ms Irinka, Ms Iiinka and My Ms Iiiinka.

Tell us something about your education and experience.

I graduated Sociology at Sofia University and completed a PhD in Early Years Sociology. My experience with young children is both as a teacher and outdoor trainer. I have worked with children 2-5 years in private pre-schools in Sofia, and most recently at the Anglo-American School of Sofia as Teaching Assistant. Nature and its abundant teaching resources have been my true inspiration. I am happy to bring this passion to ICCC since September 2021 when I joined the team.

What is your favorite part of the day as a teacher?

I love surprises. My favorite part of the day is preparing surprise play invitations in the mornings. I love those moments of arrival when children realize that something is different in the room and dive in exploration. Another special moments for me are the weekly walks to the nearby forest. You can hear the happy humming of children. We always find some treasures to observe and many other to collect for our classroom.

What inspires you to keep working with children in pre-school age?

Early years are important for so many foundations for life. I believe that children are curious and

Creative. They enjoy collaboration, they are capable of so much and do care. My inspiration is

to walk and learn with them through those precious early years. And to sparkle some nature and

magic on top.

How do you motivate children?

The classroom environment is my best co-teacher. Besides my wonderful colleges, of course.

Whenever children own their learning spaces and whenever their natural curiosity is supported

to deepen, they always do their best and love to stay focused on their favorite things for

longer. Nothing else is needed but keeping that space open-ended and inviting.

How do you face difficult challenges throughout the day at school?

I see the available resources and all the best in each child. In challenging moments, I ask myself

what is the basic need that stays behind a difficult behavior and how to support that need. The

children are eager to learn as soon as they feel safe and acknowledged for who they really are. I

try to engage children in problem solving as much as possible, too.

What is the best part of being a teacher?

I will share a favorite quote of Rachel Carson to answer: “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” Being that adult for the children is a true blessing. And by all means, I am learning thousands of jokes daily and witnessing thousands of precious moments to celebrate with children.

What sort of morning routine do you have to get ready and in the mood for the class?

When I enter the empty classroom in the mornings, I see it full of possibilities. That is a great start! We greet each other with a hug. Children love to hug their friends. Then they would rush to find their magnet, climb a little chair and place the magnet on the classroom board. This is how everyone says “Here I am!”. Later children choose where to start their work and whom to explore with.

What is your favorite child book/author and why?

My favorite child author is Eric Carle because of his amazing illustrations and because he creates so much space for children’s imagination within his simple nature stories.

What is the most surprising and funny thing you heard about yourself from children?

I will share a sweet recent story. A girl brought her watercolor painting to me as a gift. She was excited to share that she had painted a cherry tree and she had also painted both of us dancing around it.

And one more story:

Me: What sounds would you like to listen during dream time? The waves of the ocean or the birds chirping?

The kids: Play the tractors for us!

What is your name, how do children call you?

My name is Petya, the children call me Miss Petya. Sometimes, usually after the weekend or a holiday they start calling me “mommy” for the first few days at school.

Tell us something about your education and experience.

I studied Early Years Education and Reception Year Teaching at UNISA (University of South Africa) in 2006 and 2007. I started off as a substitute and an afternoon teacher at LRPPS (Lynnwood Ridge Pre-Primary School) in Pretoria, South Africa. In 2008 I became a permanent class teacher and taught there until the end of 2019, groups between 3 and 6 years of age. Upon my return to Bulgaria, I worked as a teacher at BSS (British school of Sofia) for a year and in Sept 2021 I joined the ICCC team where I am very happy to work and be a part of.

What is your favorite part of the day as a teacher?

My favorite part of the day as a teacher is my arrival in the morning. My shift starts at 10am by which time all children have arrived. Seeing me at the door, they all start talking excitedly at once with a sparkle in their eyes and many hugs to give, hairstyles and dresses to show.

What inspires you to keep working with children in pre-school age?

My inspiration to work with children is the difference we make in children’s lives. When you see a child grow emotionally right before your eyes and you know you helped that child along the way, the feeling is amazing. Getting appreciated by the parents for taking such great care of their kids, children willing to come to school and being excited about the different activities and games we play.

How do you motivate children?

I personally try to motivate children by praise and encouragement. They get easily discouraged when faced with the unknown from fear of failing. So, by giving them the confidence to try even if it isn’t perfect first-time round, I believe they learn faster and easier.

How do you face difficult challenges throughout the day at school?

Facing with difficult challenges I often rely on the support of my colleague, Stella with whom I teach alongside. In such a short period of time we have managed to work together so well, that we often just look in the other person’s eyes and know. 

What is the best part of being a teacher?

The interaction with the children on a daily bases is the best part of being a teacher. They are funny, honest, lovable and affectionate. They give back much more than they receive. Each day is a surprise, because you never know what to expect and who would make you laugh with their actions or stories.

Do you notice any changes in children’s behavior for the past few years?

In my opinion, there is definitely change in children’s behavior over the past few years. They have become more confident and out-spoken, especially when communicating with adults. They are a lot more informed and use technology freely and with ease. In my opinion it has both positive and negative effect on them.

What is your favorite child book/author and why?

My favorite child’s authors are Julia Donaldson and Nick Butterworth. I particularly enjoy the rhyming and humor in J. D’s books. The stories and illustrations in N. B’s books are wonderful and most of his books include a huge fold-up page or a maze which allows the children to get involved and explore the book in an exciting way.

What is the most surprising and funny thing you heard about yourself from children?

One day when I took a day off school one of the children in my class started telling every parent who came to collect his/her child, that I have left and I am never coming back. According to her I have told all the children the day before that there is another class with children who have no teacher and I had to go for good. The story was actually half-true but most of the parents believed I won’t be working at ICCC anymore and started sending me messages to find out what’s happening.

What is your name, how do children call you?

Gergana Popova, the children call me Miss Geri

Tell us something about your education and experience.

 My education is in Arts and Graphic Design. I have taken various courses in Education and I am currently studying Education Science at Sofia University. I have been working at ICCC for more than eight years. My previous experience with young children was in a day care center, teaching art.

What is your favorite part of the day as a teacher?

It is Story time when I get to do all the voices and be silly. I also love playing outside with the children, just kicking a ball around or play tag and things like that.

What inspires you to keep working with children in pre-school age?

The children are my main inspiration. It is a very rewarding age where responses are immediate and some results often follow quickly. It is an age where you love your students and they love you back and the world is still an amazing place full of wonders.

How do you motivate children?

 I rely on old and tested as well as spur of the moment techniques. Generally, I aim towards making things interesting and inviting, a more hands-on than frontal approach.

How do you face difficult challenges throughout the day at school?

 Most difficult situations are related to convincing a child to do something they don`t want to. It takes a lot of quick thought and flexibility, taking it case by case and knowing your children well. There is no one thing that answers all situations, yet me keeping my cool is key as well as always seeking better understanding on the subject, including books, seminars, the help of colleagues.

What is the best part of being a teacher?

 For me it is the pure connection and relationship with the children. I love discovering their personalities and helping them along their way. It is also the personal development it requires. Being a teacher always challenges you to work on yourself to be a better person, a more skillful communicator, a sensitive and vigilant supporter.

What sort of morning routine do you have to get ready and in the mood for the class?

 It is not quite a morning thing for me. I like to plan at least a day ahead, a week or sometimes a month, often together with my colleague. This gives me a clearer picture for the day that I have in my mind going in. Often on my way to work while driving I would remember some of the sweet things the kids did the day before and that helps me keep an open mind toward them and their needs.

Do you notice any changes in children’s behavior for the past few years?

Every day. Growing is a challenging business, it is sometimes more a tango than a quick-step, but change is always there.

What is your favorite child book/author and why?

 Erich Kastner is my favorite author. His insight into a child`s world is both heartwarming and eye-opening. He tells hard truths with humor and even though he wrote a century ago I find relevance and meaning in his books.

What is the most surprising and funny thing you heard about yourself from children?

– Miss Geri is my relaxing teacher. 

– Miss Geri, you are coming to my house and I am going to share this walnut with you.

– Look! I have a bucket of rainbows!

Me: Tell me about your vacation. Child: I hate Greece!

Share an interesting story about yourself.

When I was a child, I remember I was always imagining to be a teacher. I taught all my dolls really interesting lessons. Somewhere along the way I forgot about that and I became a graphic designer. Despite odds though teaching found me and I am really glad about it.