Team

Working with children has inspired me all my life, working with adults motivates me; Montessori gives me deep understanding and direction, and Andílek gives me the space to make it all real, connect it, and do work that truly matters. Meeting smiling faces of happy children in the classrooms every day, leading an amazing team, discovering their potential and supporting them, while being inspired myself—guided by heart and determination toward big goals—that is my work, that is our Andílek.

Hanka graduated from the Faculty of Education as a lower-secondary school teacher and continued with guidance counseling and school management studies. She holds the international AMI 6–12 Diploma under Kay Baker, successfully completed the AMI Administrator Course and international Whole-School Leadership training, and completed studies in Special Education with a focus on speech therapy. She has worked in education since 2002—as a primary and secondary school teacher, then as an officer at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Czech Republic) in special education, later as head of schools for children and adolescents. Since 2012 she has served as principal of a public preschool and elementary school, and since 2013 she has been the Director at Montessori Schools Andílek.

Since my teens I’ve known that true power doesn’t lie in dominance, but in cooperation and the ability to accomplish great things. Children are the ones who can change the world, and their everyday actions are tremendous. I strive to awaken the same energy in adults. I love my work because it lets me witness this miracle and serve humanity.

Hanka is an experienced Montessori teacher, methodologist, and trainer with more than twenty years of practice. She studied Czech Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, where she later led the seminar “Communication in Practice.” She has completed international AMI courses and trainings in leadership and for the 0–3, 3–6, 6–12, and 12–18 age levels, and has experience from many schools abroad. She was present at the founding of Montessori Schools Andílek and the Montessori Institute Prague and also serves as an assistant trainer in international courses. She is the author of the book Montessori školka and the podcast Montessori jiskření, and collaborates with the publishers Portál and Euromedia. She provides parent coaching, and parents and teachers can meet her at talks in the Andílek Academy or at educational conferences, where she shares experience and inspires joy in learning and a respectful approach to education.

Ten years ago, thanks to my children, I founded a family center, then the Andílek Montessori preschool and elementary school, and finally an international training center for teachers. Montessori has wonderfully changed my life and my family’s life, and I believe it has the power to change the world. I believe that every child—given the right support—can develop their potential and grow into an adult who knows their purpose in this world and can fulfill it.

Mirka is the Executive Director of Montessori Institute Prague, where she has worked since 2010. Under her leadership, the institute has become an international center for Montessori teacher education and school development around the world. She studied Humanities at Anglo-American University in Prague and at Charles University. Drawing on her education and years of experience, she focuses on supporting the growth and education of children, teachers, and communities that share the Montessori approach.

I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work in a team of people who create the environment and support for children and their development. For the past seven years, I worked in a speech therapy school as an assistant, educator, and teacher. I see my new position as an opportunity to enter the world of Montessori education and, at the same time, to closely collaborate with the school leadership and gain experience from a field that is new to me.

She graduated from secondary school specializing in childcare and education, then continued at a College of Social Work. She also completed certified training for teacher assistants and a course for speech therapy assistants. After completing her studies, she worked with children—first as a personal assistant for children with Down syndrome, and from 2012 at a speech therapy elementary school, where she successively held the positions of teacher assistant, after-school educator, and class teacher at the primary level. She has been working at Andílek since August 2018 as the Director’s Assistant and completed the AMI 3–6 Assistant Course with trainer Elina Rautasalo.

With the arrival of two children, my life took a completely different direction. I took a course called Respect and Be Respected and began working in children’s, community, and family centers, which made more sense to me, especially everything related to child development. In Barrandov, I was part of the sales exhibition team Rosteme pro život (Growing for Life) and worked as a Strollering instructor for several years, so I really enjoyed my maternity leave being active and among like-minded mothers. I am an active person, I love it when there is always something going on around me and there is no room for boredom. I enjoy creating and making things, and I can get into a complete flow when putting together photo collage books. I find it fulfilling to be with children, coming up with activities for them, themed birthday parties, creative piñatas, and adventure games. Our holiday puppy, Buddy, a kern terrier, also brings me great joy, adding another cheerful and active element to our family. I am glad to be part of Andílek. Everything around me is useful and meaningful, and that is important to me. After some difficult periods in my life, working at Andílek gives me peace, security, and a good feeling from doing meaningful work.

She graduated from business school and went to England for a year after graduation. During her professional life, she worked in various fields, from PR and advertising agencies to IT, accounting, and advertising school, and then back to advertising. After years of constant stress and chaos, she began to look for an environment that would offer more order, peace, and positive emotions. She gradually began to focus her professional career on working in children’s, community, and family centers, where she found greater meaning and continued her work in the field of child development. This path eventually led her to Andílek, where she found a job that is valuable, stable, and fulfilling for her.

At university, I couldn’t decide whether to study languages, social sciences, or the arts—so I studied all of them. I always knew that learning and education inspired me and helped me grow. When my son started attending a Montessori kindergarten—and later continued in a Montessori school—I realized that he also enjoyed learning, and that his inner spark didn’t fade during first grade, as often happens in traditional schools. Although I don’t teach at Andílek, I find joy and purpose in working in an institution that ignites that flame of intrinsic motivation in both children and adults, allowing them to keep growing. It truly makes sense to me.

She graduated in English Language and Literature and Theatre Studies from the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University in Brno. During her studies, she worked in NGOs focused on human rights and multiculturalism. After graduation, she moved to Prague and worked in politics for the Green Party. As a project manager, she led several projects funded by the European Social Fund and the Erasmus+ program. From January 2019, she led the Montessori Association of the Czech Republic. She has been working with Montessori Schools Andílek (with breaks) since 2014.

I am fascinated by two worlds—the world of numbers, where everything is interconnected and logical, and the world of children, full of wonder and where nothing is impossible. Every day, I’m grateful that through my work on educational development projects I can connect these two worlds and be part of something that shapes our future.

Renata graduated from the Faculty of Economics and continues to expand her knowledge in economics and management. Since the beginning of her career, she has worked as a project and financial manager in the fields of education, research, and culture. She focuses on developing high-quality projects with strong added value—projects that, with the support of the school’s leadership, help strengthen the work of Montessori teachers and parents in the education of children.

Andílek is, for me, a place where humanity, kindness, and meaningful work come together, and where Montessori education represents an approach that truly makes sense to me. Every day here brings new inspiration. I am also a great admirer of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, so I’ll end with a quote that resonates deeply with me: “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it.”

Štěpánka completed a two-year study of Graphology and Psychology at the Czech Graphological Chamber and is currently finishing her degree in Social Pedagogy at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University. She has experience in education from NGOs such as Amnesty International, People in Need, and the Integration Centre Prague. She is currently studying for the AMI 6–12 Diploma Course.

I’m fascinated by the opportunity to connect modern marketing with a field that has true meaning and value. For me, Andílek is not just a workplace—it’s a space where professionalism and humanity naturally come together. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and am a devoted supporter of the football club Slavia Prague.

Michal has long-standing experience in online marketing, which provided him with strong foundations in the digital world—both in the Czech Republic and internationally. In recent years, he has increasingly focused on supporting Montessori education and exploring ways to connect it with modern communication strategies.

I like expeditions. To the countryside, to modern cities and to the past. Every trip is a new experience and enrichment. Who wants to understand the present should look to the past. I watch the contemporary world closely and try to understand it in context. How we relate to planet Earth today will fundamentally affect the lives of our children. I therefore try to guide them towards personal and societal responsibility. Andílek encourages this approach and that is why I feel comfortable here. Being a useful guide for children and students is a great challenge.

Pavla studied Religious Studies and Philosophy at the Hussite Theological Faculty, and later Pedagogy at Jan Amos Komenský University. While studying, she started working as an editor of Lidové noviny. She remained in the media for several years. She worked at Hospodářské noviny, Aktuálně.cz and Deník. After that, she worked for the Futuroom project, organising training and education for journalists. After the birth of her children, she returned to teaching. As a participant of the Teacher Live programme she worked at a Montessori school in Kladno. In 2019, she attended the Introduction to adolescent workshop. Since childhood she went to camp, later as a head counselor. She is working in the adolescent program in Andílek as a coordinator and teacher of humanities.

I enjoy getting to the bottom of things — sorting, assessing, and analyzing facts and relationships in our world. In today’s information-saturated age, I consider this skill essential, and studying the queen of sciences — mathematics — contributes greatly to the development of logical and critical thinking. In addition to my love for mathematics and the exact sciences, I have always been passionate about working with children — for many years I led a children’s club and organized summer camps. After having children of my own, I discovered Montessori education and fell in love with its emphasis on individual freedom and its scientific approach based on observation rather than assumptions. I am truly glad that at Andílek I can combine all of these interests and guide students in their personal growth.

František graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University, majoring in Informatics. Since his university studies, he has worked in the IT field as a programmer and manager. He completed the AMI Adolescent Introductory Workshop with Tina Booth and has been part of Andílek since September 2020. In his free time, he enjoys physical activity and playing the bass guitar.