Meet the teachers!
Miss Petya studies Early Years Education and Reception Year at UNISA (University of South Africa). She has taught children between the ages of 3 and 6 for the past 15 years, most of which in South Africa. After that she returned to Sofia to teach in the British School of Sofia and joined ICCC in September 2021. Also, Miss Petya is trained in Jolly Phonics, Thinking Based Learning and Suggestopedia.
Her favorite part of the day as a teacher is the first contact with the students at the morning.
What inspires her to work with children, is the difference a teacher makes in children’s lives. To see a child grow emotionally is an amazing feeling. When one gets appreciation from the parents, for taking such great care of their kids, this motivates the teacher to give even more.
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.