OUR MANAGAMENT
RENATA BUCKLE / FOUNDER
"I am Renata, and I co-founded Young Hippocampus to meet the needs of Czech parents for bilingual school programme seamlessly coordinated with the Czech school curriculum. Many international schools neglect traditional Czech language education in favour of English. I saw an opportunity to integrate English into the whole school program from year one, without compromise. The program is designed to introduce English from an early age in a fun, natural environment. By immersing children in English for a part of each school day, including through study, games and project work, the language develops naturally. The programme is based on the English national curriculum and children evidence their language proficiency through passing the Cambridge English Certificate exams".
Renata has a B.A. degree in Economics from the Anglo American College, where she studied in English, and a master's degree in Law from the Charles University. After an initial career in banking and finance, Renata established Young Hippocampus together with Czech and English partners with extensive Czech teaching, English teaching and business experience. Renata has two children who are bilingual and are in the Czech state school system.
JANA NETREBOVA / PROGRAM COORDINATOR
"My name is Jana. At Young Hippocampus I co- create the English language curriculum as well as the curriculum for PBL classes and subsequently I am responsible for achieving its goals. Together with the Czech and English teachers in the program we closely collaborate to constantly improve the mutual cooperation, subject methodologies, Saturdays´ field trips or i.e. summer camp plans. Watching our young students opening themselves to another language from the very beginnings until the fluent conversations during the breaks brings professional fulfilment."
Jana has more than 16 years of experience in teaching at primary and secondary schools in the Czech Republic. She earned a BA in Mass Media and Social Communication and later added a MA in Elementary School Education at the Faculty of Pedagogy at Charles University.
JAN MULLER / OPERATIONAL DIRECTOR
"My name is Jan – in Czech language also frequently shortened to Honza - and I am in charge of operational support at Young Hippocampus including the accounting and library system management. I am also involved in teaching programs and teacher support. I have worked in various financial services roles throughout my life including management positions and operations leadership. I have also been involved in financial education for youth in schools and orphanages for over 10 years. Besides family, my biggest hobbies are sports and long-distance hiking."
Honza studied electrical engineering at the Pilsen university and then SME economics in Twente, the Netherlands.
OUR TEAM IN ROZTOKY
NÉSTOR CAMARILLO / ENGLISH TEACHER 1.E
"By way of introduction, my academic background includes a strong foundation in childhood development and educational psychology, which helps me understand how children learn, grow, and thrive at this important stage. As a native speaker of both English and Spanish, I also hold certifications in bilingual language instruction, enabling me to support children's language acquisition while fostering cognitive development and cultural awareness. My teaching approach is holistic, beginning with play-based exploration and gradually moving into more structured lessons, always designed to meet children's developmental needs. My goal is to provide a supportive, engaging environment that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning."
Néstor holds MA degree from Grand Canyon University and TEFL and TEFL Young Learners and Teens Cetification.
KATERINA SVABOVA / CLASS TEACHER 2.F
Katka is a patient and child-loving teacher with 20 years of experience teaching in an international environment. After graduating from a pedagogical school, she lived in England where she had the opportunity to study the British education system for the first time. After her return, she joined an international school in Prague, where she gained valuable experience, first as a teacher's assistant and then as a teacher of Czech for native speakers and foreigners. Katka loves traveling and animals! After 17 years of teaching, she took a break and went to Asia, where she devoted herself to charity. She has now been working in education again for over 3 years and is pleased that she can apply and further develop her existing knowledge and skills as another member of the Young Hippocampus team.
Katka graduated from the pedagogic school in Čáslav and holds an FCE certificate.
MADELINE CORBETT / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.F
"Hello, my name is Madeline. I am an English teacher from Winnipeg, Canada. I have taught English for over five years, mostly in Taipei, Taiwan. I am really excited to be joining the Young Hippocampus team this year. I love to have fun in my classroom and engage in play-based learning, I find it is the best way to immerse young children in a new language. Let's have a great year!"
Madeline has an HBsc degree in Biology from the University of Toronto.
VERONIKA KREISLOVA / CLASS TEACHER 2.E
"My name is Veronika. Working with children and taking care about their healthy development was always a clear choice for me. At first I was studying Medicine at Charles University in Prague but I have soon realized that spending only a few moments at the doctor´s office with children is not sufficient for me. I wish to see them grow, teach them and learn from them. That´s why I transferred my studies to the Faculty of Pedagogy to study Education at the elementary level. The best school for me were my own four children. Thanks to them I have achieved a clear view about my teaching direction and what methods to use. In my experience the best results can be achieved by combining common sense, academic knowledge, kind empathetic guidance and didactic games."
Veronika holds a Master degree in Special Education majoring in Elementary School Teaching from Jan Amos Komensky University.
JOSEPH SALDANA / ENGLISH AND DEPUTY HEAD TEACHER 2.E
"Hello, I'm Joe! I am a teacher from California, who has been teaching English here in the Czech Republic for over 7 years now. Through my teaching experiences, I have taught English learners of all levels, and age groups, from preschool students, all the way up to adults. My favorite part about teaching is seeing the improvement of my students' English skills, as well as how much they enjoy learning the language. I'm excited to be a part of the Young Hippocampus team, and I look forward to seeing the growth of our students as they continue on their English journey."
Joe has a BA in History and a Social Science Teaching credential from California Polytechnic State University SLO; as well as a TEFL Certificate.
KATEŘINA VYSOKÁ / CLASS TEACHER 3.E
"Hello, I am Katka! I'm a proud mom of an amazing eleven-year-old boy and I've always been passionate about learning, languages, and working with children. I truly believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive and inspiring environment where they can grow, explore, and shine. For twenty years, I worked in international business – but my heart kept pulling me in a different direction. Eventually, I listened and followed the path that brings me the most joy: education and children. Today, I teach German, run courses and have hands-on experience with bilingual education as well as supporting kids in primary school. I studied German and English at Jan Amos Komenský University in Prague and I'm now completing a degree in primary education at the University of Hradec Králové. On top of that, I'm also a certified children's yoga instructor – because learning is not just about the mind, but also about balance and well-being. Now, I'm thrilled to be part of the Young Hippocampus team, and I can't wait to share my energy, experience, and passion with the children. Together, we'll create a space full of growth, curiosity, and joy!
NICOLETTE VITA / ENGLISH TEACHER 3.E
"Hi! My name is Nicolette, and I'm an English teacher from New York. In university, I studied linguistics and speech-language sciences, with a focus on child language development. During my studies, I met students from around the world, and was even able to study in Denmark. It has been incredibly fulfilling for me find my place in Prague, and combine my educational interests by teaching language to children of all ages. I believe that providing children a bilingual education will grant them new and exciting opportunities, and am so excited to share that with my students!"
I received my BA degree at Boston University, I am also TEFL certified
LENKA ŠUBRTOVÁ / CLASS TEACHER 4.E
"Hello, my name is Lenka! Education and pedagogy are an important part of my life. I have been studying for almost 50 years and over 30 years I have been working in the education field. I have been teaching in the various types of schools in all levels from kindergarten through elementary and secondary school to the high school level as well as leading art lessons and other after school activities. The work pleases me still! Working in a bilingual program is challenging for me but it is also an opportunity for my personal growth. I am glad I can be part of the Young Hippocampus team and help my students on their educational path."
Lenka has a MA degree in Pedagogy and Education for high schools from the Faculty of Philosophy in Charles University as well as supplementary study of pedagogy focusing on kindergarten level students. She is studying still and nowadays her study is focused on yoga and yoga therapy in the faculty of Physical Education and Sport.
EMANUEL POCHE / ENGLISH TEACHER 4.E
"Hey! My name is Emanuel and I've been teaching English in Prague for the past six years. My entire teaching career has been hinged upon getting the children to be creative. I've run Harry Potter writing workshops, magical potion cooking competitions, and murder mystery acting challenges. There is nothing better than seeing that spark of imagination ignite the kids' spirits. As someone who has done theater for ten years, writes and paints in his spare time, I know how vital it is to create. I am elated that at Young Hippocampus, I have the chance to foster young talent and minds."
Emanuel grew up in New York City. He earned his BA in English Literature and Creative Writing in Canterbury, England, and his MA in Creative Writing in Paris, France. He is TEFL certified.
IVANA SOBOTKOVA / CLASS TEACHER 5.E
"Hi, my name is Ivana. Since I finished my university degree I have been teaching for more than 10 years in Czech primary schools. I also lived and studied for 2.5 years in England and have seen the huge benefits of a well-based second language. Hence, I am really excited to teach the Czech curriculum to a bilingual class. It is a great opportunity for me, as well as the kids. I have 2 teenage daughters who benefit from being brought up in a bilingual environment."
I am a certified Czech teacher having received my MA in Education at the University J. A. Purkyně.
NANA LINGE / ENGLISH TEACHER 5.E
"Hello! My name is Nana Linge. I've been teaching young learners for nearly 10 years, and it has brought indescribable joy to my life. Born and raised in the U.S., I come from a bicultural home; my mother is American and my father is Nigerian. Due to that, I personally understand the importance of learning and exchanging ideas. I hope to help students discover the endless possibilities that come from a good education and the good it brings to the world."
Nana has a BA in Communication and Spanish, MA in Elementary Education, and is TEFL certified.
OUR TEAM IN MNISEK POD BRDY
BARBORA AMSALEM / CLASS TEACHER 1.E
"My name is Bára, and I will be serving as the homeroom teacher for the first grade within the bilingual program. Teaching is both a passion and a vocation for me. I have been working in education for five years, and each day spent with children reaffirms that I have chosen the right path. I am originally from Prague, but I currently reside in the beautiful surroundings of Mníšek pod Brdy, where I am also employed. I first earned a degree in Journalism at Jan Amos Komenský University in Prague, and later decided to broaden my qualifications by pursuing pedagogical studies, which I completed at a university in Poland. In my teaching, I enjoy exploring innovative approaches to make learning as accessible and engaging for children as possible – particularly in a bilingual setting, which brings not only challenges but also many rewarding moments of understanding and growth."
MELISA VALEEN / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.E
"Hello! I'm Melissa, and I'm a certified teacher from the US. I have taught both children and adults in countries such as Spain, Mexico, and Oman. I understand how challenging it can be to learn another language, so my goal is to make the learning environment a positive place! It's great to expose students to aspects of other cultures, but I also hope they can see how much we all have in common. I love when students feel satisfied with what they've achieved."
Melissa holds a BA in Education and Spanish from Western Michigan University, an MA in Translation from the University of Portsmouth, and a Cambridge CELTA
LUCIE STOVICKOVA / CLASS TEACHER 2.E
"Hi, I am Lucie and I am very excited to join the team of bilingual classroom teachers. I believe that education is the key to the future as well as the ability to become fluent in English. Education in a bilingual environment is therefore a great challenge for me. My main goal is to create a safe and supportive environment for children to explore the world and develop their skills and knowledge. I believe that every child is unique and has specific needs and abilities that need to be respected and developed. I have been working at the Mníšek pod Brdy elementary school for the third year."
Lucie studied English for Business at the University of Pardubice and Social and Cultural Ecology at Charles University. She is currently completing her pedagogical education at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.
HOLLY JACOBSON / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.E
"Hi, my name is Holly! I have four years of experience as a Registered Behavioural Therapist helping preschool and elementary aged children to improve various skills: communication; social interaction; independent living and emotional regulation. I also work as a Mental Performance Consultant, guiding individuals toward mindset transformation to achieve optimal performance and holistic well-being. Over the years my passion for encouraging development, supporting personal growth, and building strong connections has only grown. I am overjoyed to uphold this shared passion with Young Hippocampus and to collaborate with the pupils of the Czech Republic!"
Holly grew up in Maryland and was a student athlete throughout her college studies. She has a BA in Psychology from Christopher Newport University with a concentration in Leadership, as well as an MS in Sport Psychology from Lock Haven University.
KAMILA LATALOVA / CLASS TEACHER 3.E
"My name is Kamila, and I have graduated at the Faculty of Education at Ostrava University. After completing my studies, I spent 4 years in Spain, where I was working as an au-pair in a Spanish family. Later I worked as a sales representative in an international company which allowed me to work in the bilingual environment where we communicated in Spanish and English. After getting back to the Czech Republic I continued my studies in Spanish. I have been working at the elementary school in Mníšek pod Brdy over 10 years. Working in a bilingual class is not only a challenge for me but also great motivation and an opportunity to broaden my horizons. I enjoy working with children and I believe that every child has potential that can be developed. I try to create a positive environment where the children can feel safe and motivated to achieve their goals."
Kamila earned MA degree from the Faculty of Education at Ostrava University with specialization in Primary School Teaching. Later, she also completed her studies of Spanish Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy.
LORNA THOMAS / ENGLISH TEACHER 3.E
"Hi my name is Lorna. I am originally from South Africa, but I have spent the last 12 years teaching English in Asia (in South Korea and Hong Kong) where most of my experience was at elementary school level. I believe in student-centered learning with an emphasis on fun, safety, and connection to facilitate optimal learning. I look forward to bringing my experience in teaching iwithin Young Hippocampus team, and at the same time growing both as a teacher, and personally.."
Lorna has a Bachelor degree from the University of Natal, Durban, South Africa, and has TEFL and a CELTA qualifications.
OUR TEAM IN HOSTIVICE
PETRA SVOBODOVÁ/ CLASS TEACHER 1.B
"My name is Petra. I have a strong interest in physical activity, traveling, music, and board games. After completing secondary school, I spent time in the United States working with individuals with various disabilities, an experience that inspired me to pursue studies in special education upon my return. I have gained extensive pedagogical experience in a range of settings, including a community centre for mothers, kindergarten, a preparatory class, as well as through organizing day camps and leading extracurricular activities. I have also taught at the primary school level. In addition, I am the mother of two school-aged children, who continue to be a significant source of inspiration for my work.I greatly value the opportunity to work with children. I appreciate their enthusiasm for learning and I take pride in supporting them as they develop their knowledge and skills. I look forward to year-round cooperation in the Czech-English class and to observing the progress they make in English."
CARIEN FOURIE / TEACHER ENGLISH 1.B
"Hi, I am Carien. I am a teacher from South Africa. As a dedicated and student-centered teacher, I specialize in English language education, working with students of all ages, levels, and backgrounds. With over 9 years of international experience across language schools and IB programs, I am passionate about fostering a dynamic and inclusive space where students feel confident to take ownership of their learning. I use insights from psychology to create individualized learning experiences, promote emotional intelligence, and implement effective classroom management techniques. My background in sports also complements my teaching, promoting a balanced and active approach to education and life. I am excited to be a part of the Young Hippocampus team."
Carien holds International Post Graduate Certificate in Education (IPCGE), MA In Developmental Psychology, BSC in Psychology and various other diplomas like Masters Diploma in TESOL, etc.
JOHANKA KOPAČKOVÁ / CLASS TEACHER 2.B
"Hi, my name is Johanka. During my studies of Singing I led music clubs for preschool-aged and school-aged children, taught solo singing and then I started teaching at an elementary school. When I was little I went to an English kindergarden, where I was surrounded by native speakers from different corners of English speaking countries. This experience influenced me in many ways and I fell in love with English language. That's why I'm excited to teach a bilingual Czech-English class."
Johanka is currently studying Special needs education at University of Ostrava. She graduated from Prague conservatory, where she studied Classical singing.
VICTORIA SHEHADIE / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.B
"Hi, I'm Victoria and I'm from Sydney, Australia. I've always loved languages and teaching, and before working in politics and media I gained experience as a tutor. Now I'm excited to return to the classroom, where I can combine my passion for communication with helping students grow in confidence. I'm thrilled to be joining the Hippocampus team and look forward to supporting and inspiring my students, while keeping learning fun and engaging!"
Victoria has an MA degree from Australian National Univeristy in Canberra, and is currently pursuing her TESOL certification.
CATHERINE LEE / SUBSTITUTE ASSISTING TEACHER IN ALL SCHOOLS
"Hello, my name is Catherine! I'm from Minnesota but have lived mostly in California for the last 10 years. I have experience teaching a variety of subjects to students online and am very excited to translate these skills into the classroom at Young Hippocampus! I have always enjoyed and valued language education and am passionate about helping students learn to communicate and engage with the world."
Catherine has a BA in History with a minor in Cognitive Science from Occidental College, and a TEFL certificate.
We are a team of professionals with long-term experience in English speaking environments.
Our experience shows that the level of English in Czech society is surprisingly low even 30 years after the Velvet Revolution and does not differ much from pre-revolutionary times. We decided to change that!
English language has become an important communication tool in most developed countries in recent decades. The English Proficiency Index (EPI) indicates the ability of nations to speak this language. Unfortunately, the Czech Republic is usually far below the average of other European countries. We were ranked 23rd in 2019, losing to countries such as Romania, Hungary and Croatia.
In the Czech school system, 1st and 2nd grade students have one or fewer English lessons a week, and by the 3rd grade that number only rises to three lessons per week. This is simply not enough time to learn a foreign language. Small children are able to learn new languages very quickly and it is a pity not to use this opportunity. With this in mind, the Young Hippocampus bilingual education program was created. Its key goal is to take advantage of the educational systems of both Czech Republic and Great Britain and, in doing so, provide our students with a comprehensive immersive bilingual education from year 1.