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.
MICHAELA KREJBICHOVA / OFFICE MANAGER
"Hi, my name is Míša. I'm a student at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. I'm studying the programme of Business Administration. I'm working as an accountant and office manager in the Young Hippocampus team. I have been in this area for about 4 years, where I have had the opportunity to gain a lot of experience and practice. I am very glad to be a part of this programme as I can contribute to a really progressive business."
Míša studied at the Commercial secondary school in Liberec and continues with studies at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, study programme Business Administration.
OUR TEAM IN ROZTOKY
KATERINA SVABOVA / CLASS TEACHER 1.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 1.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 1.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 TEACHER 1.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.
PETRA ZWINZ / CLASS TEACHER 2.E
"My name is Petra Zwinzová, and years ago, theater led me to become a teacher. As a hobby, I performed as an amateur in children's collectives, in kindergartens. The environment around children simply "suited me". I already had two young daughters, just in preschool age. So I she originally studied special education and 1st degree teaching at the UJAK in Prague. Years ago I went to the USA to learn English, where I lived for a year and married a German:) My husband, an Austrian, raised two bilingual, now actually adults, daughters. The theater that led me to the children accompanies me on my teaching journey. They live in my classrooms and the puppets speak English and German. Learning through experience simply works for little and older children."
Petra studied special pedagogy and 1st grade teaching at the Jan Amos Komensky University, and at the Faculty of Pedagogy of the Charles University she studied German studies as a teacher for the 2nd grade of elementary school and high school.
NINA FRAME / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.E
"Hi! My name is Nina. I've been living in Prague for 4 years now. I'm from Kansas, but I grew up in international schools in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These international schools and their educational programs, where different languages, cultures and ideas mix , have always fascinated me. My favorite part of teaching is watching my students and sharing with them my enthusiasm for discovering new cultures, ideas and differences. I am glad that at Young Hippocampus I have the opportunity to learn from my students as much as they do from me."
Nina holds a bachelor's degree from the Anglo-American University and a TEFL certificate specializing in teaching younger students.
LENKA ŠUBRTOVÁ / CLASS TEACHER 3.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.
PAUL MYERS / ENGLISH TEACHER 3.E
"I'm Paul and I've spent the last 5 years teaching in Prague and around the Czech Republic. While I've taught all levels of English, most of my experience comes from teaching children. Teaching English to kids is incredibly rewarding to me and I love seeing my students progress week after week. I like to make my lessons fun yet structured with each student's needs in mind. I'm excited to join the Young Hippocampus team because I see it as a professional, progressive organisation where I will be able to make a positive, long-lasting impact on the education of the students"
Paul grew up and went to college in Colorado. He has a BA in Marketing from Fort Lewis College. He is TEFL certified with a focus on Young Learners.
IVANA SOBOTKOVA / CLASS TEACHER 4.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 4.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
LUCIE STOVICKOVA / CLASS TEACHER 1.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 1.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 2.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.
JORDAN SITORIUS / ENGLISH TEACHER 2.E
"Hello, my name is Jordan. I am from the United States, but I have been teaching English in China for the past 7 years. I am grateful for this new opportunity to teach in the Czech Republic. In my work, I like to connect teaching with practice and everyday life. I believe that this the way the children will learn the most. I like to watch not only the personal growth of my little charges, but also the progress they make in learning a second language at every step. I am excited to be part of the Young Hippocampus team and to accompany the students of the program on their educational journey . I hope to provide the children with a fun and impressive form of teaching and thereby arouse in them an interest in learning more than just the English language."
Jordan holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, which she has supplemented with a number of TEFL and Cambridge Teaching Knowledge teaching certificates. He is currently completing further teacher education at Moreland University in the USA.
OUR TEAM IN HOSTIVICE
JOHANKA KOPAČKOVÁ / CLASS TEACHER 1.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.
SARAH HOGAN / ENGLISH TEACHER 1.B
"Hello, my name is Sarah! Originally from Canada, I've dedicated the past nine years to teaching abroad. My goal with teaching is to inspire and empower students to develop a passion for the English language. Being a part of the Young Hippocampus team allows me to bring energy to the classroom with games, projects, practical lessons, and engaging learning techniques. Witnessing my students' hard work translate into success is what makes teaching such a rewarding experience for me."
Sarah has a BA degree from Carleton University and a TESOL certification from Global TESOL College.
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.