At Maple Bear, we are proud to have a dedicated team of educators and staff who inspire, nurture, and empower our students every day. Our team is passionate about fostering bilingual education and providing an environment where every student can grow and thrive. Meet the people who make this happen!
I graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Palacký University in Olomouc, majoring in Russian and English Philology. During my studies, I had the opportunity to visit foreign universities and experience different approaches to education. After graduation, I continued with studies in educational sciences at the Faculty of Education of Palacký University, and at the same time, I began teaching at a higher vocational school in the field of preschool and out-of-school pedagogy, a program that prepares future teaching assistants, after-school educators, or kindergarten teachers.
I developed my managerial skills mainly through co-founding a successful international start-up in the field of information technology, by completing qualification studies for school principals, and by attending a semester course under the auspices of Harvard Business School. At present, I am also a student of legal studies (LL.M.) in school management.
I was there at the very beginning of Maple Bear Olomouc – at a time when it was only a visualization and a dream. Together with the Maple Bear Czechia team, we achieved the opening of Maple Bear Olomouc for its first children in September 2024. Since then, we have been doing everything in our power to build the best school in Olomouc for children and their parents. For me, a school is not just an educational institution – it should above all be a factory of creativity, a place of love for learning, and a community environment.
My main mission is for our young students to fall in love with learning, so that it becomes not only an integral part of their school days, but also a fundamental part of their entire lives – just as it once became for me.
I am a qualified English language teacher with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education and a Ph.D. in Pedagogy from Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. Before joining Maple Bear in 2024, I dedicated over 30 years to promoting early foreign language education in both national and international contexts. Building on my background in English language instruction, I have taught at universities in Olomouc and Rostock (Germany) and contributed to international initiatives promoting intercultural understanding and language learning.
As the Academic Coordinator at Maple Bear Olomouc, I strive to address the needs of educators, students, and parents. My primary role is to support teachers in delivering high-quality education grounded in the best pedagogical practices and strong ethical values. I aim to ensure that every student and teacher at Maple Bear feels encouraged and supported in reaching their full potential. I am equally committed to fostering a school culture built on respect, trust, and collaboration.
I believe that education should spark curiosity, foster growth, and prepare students to succeed in an interconnected world. My goal is to help children develop the values, attitudes, and skills they need to become kind, creative, and responsible individuals.
Marketing and Enrolment Manager
As the Enrollment Manager, I am responsible for welcoming new families, maintaining daily communication with parents, and building a strong school community. I organize visits and events for both current and prospective families and guide newcomers through the entire enrollment process. Every day, parents and children meet me at our school reception, where I strive to create a warm, supportive, and professional environment in which everyone feels truly welcome.
I studied management and economics in Prague and spent ten years working in the travel industry. This experience helped me develop strong communication skills, the ability to handle challenging situations, and effective time management. After becoming the mother of two wonderful daughters, my interest in the Czech educational system deepened, which eventually led me to Palacký University, where I successfully completed a degree in Educational Management in 2025.
What I value most about my work is the unique balance between administrative tasks and direct contact with children—this variety brings purpose and joy to my daily routine. I especially love seeing children’s smiles every morning and their excitement to come and spend their day with us.
I believe that education is not only about acquiring skills but also about building meaningful relationships—with others and with oneself.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, discovering new places, hiking, and spending time by the sea and in the sun, but above all, I treasure moments spent with my family.
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My name is Melissa Valenzuela, and I am currently a Grade 1 teacher at Maple Bear Olomouc. I am originally from Veracruz, Mexico.
I hold a Bachelor of science with a minor in sociology from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, as well as a Bachelor’s in pedagogy and a Master’s in education from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). I have also recently begun pursuing a Bachelor’s in psychology, further expanding my understanding of human development and learning.
With over 15 years of experience in education, I have had the opportunity to teach both children and adults in a variety of settings, including language schools, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
What I find most rewarding about teaching is witnessing students engage in learning naturally and often without even realizing it. Seeing their enthusiasm, smiles, and genuine enjoyment in the classroom brings me great joy. One of my primary goals as an educator is to create a nurturing and welcoming environment where students feel at home each day. I believe it is essential for children to feel safe, supported, and free to make mistakes as part of their learning journey. I am a strong advocate for the development of emotional intelligence, which I consider fundamental to long-term success. To support this, I regularly integrate mindfulness practices and conscious discipline into my daily teaching.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to music, and engaging in various handcrafts. I am very creative, and I love activities that allow me to work with my hands and express my creativity. This is my second year living in the Czech Republic, and I’ve truly enjoyed exploring the culture and lifestyle. Every day here feels like a new adventure.
Teacher Garde 1
I joined Maple Bear as a Czech teacher in Grade 1 and feel very proud to be part of this inspiring community. I studied Primary School Education at Palacký University in Olomouc, which is also my hometown.
I have six years of experience as a primary school teacher, along with an internship abroad in Indonesia. I have also worked as an English teacher at language schools and organized children’s camps, all of which gave me valuable international and practical experience.
What I enjoy most about my work is the curiosity children bring to the classroom, their excitement for discovery and the joy of creating and growing together.
My goal is to create a warm and safe environment full of endless opportunities to explore – a classroom where children feel welcomed, supported, and excited to return every single day.
In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors – whether it’s hiking, running or just taking a peaceful walk in one of our parks in Olomouc. I also love painting, reading, playing board games and watching films. I’m always looking for new creative projects and inspiration to bring into our classroom. These activities keep me inspired and energized for my work with the students.
I am the Head Teacher for SK/JK at Maple Bear and bring with me seven years of experience working with children. I am originally from the United States, but I have been living in the Czech Republic for the past decade and am fluent in the language. Teaching has always been my true passion, and I feel grateful to spend my days guiding and supporting young learners. I am also currently furthering my studies in early childhood education to continue growing as a kindergarten teacher.
The most rewarding part of my work is watching children grow not only in their knowledge, but also in their confidence and curiosity. My goal is to create a safe and loving environment where children feel encouraged to learn, explore, and thrive. At the same time, I believe in setting healthy boundaries that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching great movies, and trying out amazing food. I’m a true foodie at heart.
My name is Nikola, and I am a teacher in the Nursery classroom “Happy Frogs”. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Then I also completed a master’s degree in Preschool Education at Palacky University.
What I truly enjoy about working at Maple Bear Olomouc is the opportunity to combine my love for children with my passion for the English language. It is very important to me that children feel safe and happy at kindergarten, and that learning and discovery bring them joy. I aim to guide them towards independence and creativity. And also to show them that making mistakes is nothing to fear, but rather a valuable part of learning.
In my free time, I enjoy creative activities, spending time with animals, and Formula 1.
My name is Maria, and I am a Kindergarten teacher at Maple Bear. I hold a degree in Primary Education with a specialization in Music from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and I also completed my piano studies at the Conservatory of the same city.
Although I was born in Cuba, I have lived my entire life in Spain and consider myself Spanish. I have one year of experience as a Primary School teacher, and I am deeply passionate about early childhood education.
What I enjoy most about working with children is witnessing their growth throughout the school year—the progress they make, the new knowledge they acquire, and the confidence they build step by step. My goal in the classroom is to create a comfortable, happy, and safe environment where children feel free to learn, explore, and express themselves.
I particularly enjoy fostering creativity through play and the arts, as I believe these are powerful tools for helping children understand the world around them. Music and movement are especially important in my teaching, as they support both emotional expression and learning.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family and loved ones, discovering new music, and dancing salsa. These passions inspire me and bring joy to my life—joy that I love to share with my students every day.
I joined the Maple Bear team as an After-School Club Educator. I hold a degree in English Language and Art Education from Palacký University in Olomouc and have also earned a TEFL certificate.
My professional experience includes working with students at both primary and lower secondary levels. I have worked as a teaching assistant and English teacher in a public school, and I have also been involved in after-school and free-time education as an Art Club leader and summer camp instructor.
I am excited to guide students on their journey of learning and discovering the world around them. My goal is to create a safe, inspiring, and positive environment where all students feel supported and encouraged to grow.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy calligraphy, crafting, and graphic design. I am also passionate about documentaries related to history, science, and nature. In my free time, I love listening to and dancing to jazz and swing music.
