Our team

School management

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  Ing. Martina Olivová

  Founder, Managing Director

  Motto: „Don´t wait for someone to guide you. Do it yourself!“

  She graduated from the Faculty of Economics of the Technical University of Ostrava, majoring in marketing and business. She was working for more than 10 years in marketing and sociological research and consulting for large multinational companies. In 2004 she founded first a Magic Hill pre-school and in 2006 an elementary school. She has attended numerous personal development seminars and professional courses in pedagogy, psychology, critical thinking academy, leadership and management training. She is involved in charity projects and is a partner in the patient organization for Cystic Fibrosis (Klub nemocných cystickou fibrózou).

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  Mgr. Klára Dočekalová

  School principal

  Motto: „The next age is defined by the upbringing of its future citizens.“ Jan Amos Komenský

  She graduated from the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, majoring in school pedagogy and pedagogy of personal and social development. She has a long time  experience as a teacher in elementary school at the 1st and 2nd level, she also worked as a deputy head teacher for 3 years. Moreover, Klára has experience of working outside the direct field of education, having worked as a methodologist and project coordinator in non-profit organizations. She is also a graduate of many seminars in pedagogy and personal development such as Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking, Starting Together (Začít Spolu), Individual Planning, Leadership Academy.

Teacher staff

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  Mgr. Anna Bártová

  Teacher

  Motto: „Be ready to ask questions.”

  In 2015, she graduated from the Faculty of Education of Charles University – Teacher Training for Grade 1. During her studies she was a lecturer of summer camps and also cooperated with the agency Kroužky. She completed her teaching practice at our school. In September 2015 she went to England, where she spent a year and a half as an au pair and further worked as a volunteer teacher at Highfield and Brookham School, Liphook. She has attended seminars on literacy development and literacy support, with an emphasis on modern children’s literature. She is in chargé of our school library and prepares reading lessons. She has worked at Magic Hill since 2017.

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  Mgr. Jitka Bláhová

  Teacher, maths and physics teacher

  Motto: „Education is the pride of the ones, who are happy people, and the sanctuary of those, who are unhappy.”Démocritus of Abdera

  Jitka is a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University in Prague, majoring in mathematics and physics focused on education. Jitka has experience in individual mathematics tutoring and preparing students for entrance exams. She has also worked as an organizer and leader at children’s camps. She has been working at Magic Hill since 2020 as a math and physics teacher and also as a form teacher of the 2nd grade.

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  Carla Botsis

  English language teacher, Lecturer of afternoon club

  Motto: „Through love and laughter, we learn.”

  She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2003, with a degree in Sociology and completed an exchange program at the University of Limerick in Ireland. In her professional experience, she has worked as an English language teacher at an international school in Korea and as a teacher for students with special educational needs aged 12-17 in LA, USA. Moreover, Carla has volunteer experience, as she has worked in autism centers, children’s homes, and organized sporting events for AIDS patients. She has been working at Magic Hill since 2017.

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  Laura Botsis, M.Ed

  English language teacher, Lecturer of afternoon club

  Motto: „nspiring lifelong learners to achieve their personal, social, emotional and academic best in a global community.”

  She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2007 with a degree in Psychology and Pedagogy. Since 2009, she has worked as a teacher in elementary schools, such as Worcester Public Schools, where she taught English as a second language (ESL), especially to immigrant and refugee students. Laura holds a Master’s degree in Primary Education from American International College and a graduate degree in Science Education through Worcester State University. She is a part of our team since 2016.

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  James Carlson, Ph.D.

  English language teacher, music teacher

  Motto: „When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”Rumi

  James graduated in music composition at Duke University. He has been teaching for over 20 years. Between 2003 and 2017 he was a professor of music at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA. For five years he taught English language and music education at a private school in Prague. In addition to teaching students, he is a professional musician, composing dance and film music, composing for orchestras and choirs, and performing professionally himself, playing accordion and violin.

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  Mgr. Zuzana Červená

  Teacher

  Motto: „Having the constant fear of making a mistake, is the biggest mistake in life itself.”

  Zuzana is a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Charles University in Prague, with a degree in primary level of elementary school education with a specialization in music education. She worked for 4 years as a teacher in a elementary school with extended language teaching, where she worked as a teacher in a school afternoon clubs, during her studies. At the same time she led a flute club and participated in the production of teaching aids for disabled children. She is a skiing instructor and has attended many seminars such as Critical Thinking, Hejny’s Method of Teaching Mathematics, Working with Error in Czech language Classes or Starting Together (Začít Spolu). She is a part of our team since 2019.

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  Mgr. Klára Daňková

  School psychologist

  Motto: „It is your mind, that is forming this world…”Budha

  Klára is a graduate of Charles University, majoring in psychology and the Complete Crisis Intervention course. She has had many professional internships, for example in a therapy centre in Mallorca, where she worked on the Psychologists Without Borders project in Mexico. She has also completed professional psychological internships in elementary schools, psychological counselling centres and psychiatric clinics. At the same time, Klára works part-time in a pedagogical-psychological counselling centre in Prague. Her hobbies include dance, which she also uses in her practice for therapeutic purposes. She has been working at Magic Hill since 2021.

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  Alicia Darychuk

  English language teacher, Lecturer of afternoon club

  Motto: „Aim to be a little bit better than you were yesterday.”

  Alicia graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Teaching and History, and later she expanded her portfolio with a degree in Music Education. She taught elementary and high school in Canada for over two years, before moving to Sweden to teach in an international pre-school. Since 2013, she has worked as an English language teacher for primary level and pre-school classes at a private school in Prague. She has been working at Magic Hill since 2019. In addition to teaching English, she also leads yoga classes.

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  Timothy Day, M.Ed

  Teacher of the preparatory 0 grade class, Lecturer of afternoon club

  Motto: „Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn”Benjamin Franklin

  Timothy graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2001 with a degree in Sociology and Communication. He holds a TESOL certificate in English language teaching, and is a 2015-2017 graduate of the Arizona State University Gifted Education and Support Program. For 13 years he has been an English language teacher in Prague, firstly in a pre-school education, and then in elementary school education. He teaches at Magic Hill since 2018.

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  Mgr. Jana Dočkalová

  Teacher

  Motto: „Imperfect something is better, than a perfect nothing.”

  Jana graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University, majoring in primary level of elementary school teaching with a focus on music education. She has attended a number of courses, such as Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking, Professor Hejný’s Summer School of Mathematics, Mentoring in Science Education – teaching oriented on research. She has taught primary level school grades at several elementary schools, and worked for 2 years as a lecturer of educational programs at the Říčany Museum. Furthermore, she runs children’s camps and leads the preparation of a choir at school. She has been at Magic Hill since 2021.

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  Mgr. Daniela Dušková

  Music teacher

  Motto: „Music uplifts people of each character to an ideal beauty.”

  She holds a Master’s degree in German Language – Music Education for Second Grade Primary School at the University of South Bohemia. Subsequently, she extended her qualifications by completing a degree in Teaching for primary level school grades at the Faculty of Education in České Budějovice. She then taught at the T. G. Masaryk Primary School in Jihlava. For four years she lived in the United States, where she taught piano. In Magic Hill she worked first as a pre-school teacher for 2 years and since 2012 she has been working as an elementary school teacher.

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  Aurelija Galinyte

  English language teacher, Lecturer of afternoon club

  Motto: „Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.”

  Aurelija holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy of Professional Subjects from the Faculty of Science of the University of Lithuania and a Master’s degree in Pedagogy from the Faculty of Education of Vilnius University. She has been working in the Czech Republic since 2012, for more than 7 years she has been involved in child guidance, including work with children from excluded social areas and children with problematic behaviour. She also taught for 4 years at a British Internatinal School. She is a member of our team since 2020.

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  Mgr. Renata Hazafy Bahenská

  Teacher, ICT administrator

  Motto: „We don´t learn for school, but for our life.”

  Renata graduated from the University of South Bohemia, with a degree in Primary school teaching with English language. Then she worked for 5 years in public schools in Prague. She has certificates in special education, courses in Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking, Digital Competence of Teachers, Informatics with Emil. Moreover, she focuses on Hejny’s mathematics and has attended training and webinars on this topic. At the same time, she covers ICT in the school, develops digital skills of students and teachers in Microsoft account and its news, programs in Scratch and Emil programs. She has been a part of Magic Hill since 2011.

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  Jason Helmer

  English language teacher, Head of the English language department

  Motto: „It’s important to teach students to see the potential for greatness in themselves.”

  Jason graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in Music Education and Journalism and is currently completing his qualifications at the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University. He has many years of experience as an English language teacher, having worked as a teacher’s assistant in a special pre-school in the USA for 3 years, and as a specialist English Literature teacher in an elementary school in the USA. Since 2013, he has been working as a teacher at the Institute of Language Education in Prague, participating in the development of educational concepts, testing methods, leading teams of English language teachers. He has been working at Magic Hill since 2017.

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  Bc. Klára Chamula Gajdová

  Teacher of the preparatory 0 grade class

  Motto: „That what is right can be seen only through our heart. That what is important, cannot be seen by our eyes.”Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

  She graduated from secondary school of education with a specialization in live languages. She graduated from the University of Ostrava with a degree in pre-school teaching. She taught in a pre-school for four years and then spent several years in the Netherlands as an au pair. She has worked at Magic Hill since 2015, with a two-year break for maternity leave, during which she also did private English language lessons for young children. During her teaching experience, she has attended a number of training seminars focused on targeted development of preschool children and non-violent communication. She runs a flute club at Magic Hill.

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  Mgr. et Mgr. Anežka Králová

  Teacher of history and social studies

  Motto: „Try to leave this world a little better than you found it.”

  She graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University with a Master’s degree in Teaching of Professional Subjects and Pedagogy – Foundations of Social Sciences and Management of Education. During her Erasmus study stay she was focusing on the Finnish education reform. She has also attended a number of seminars in advanced courses in Personality Typology (MBTI), Respect and Be Respected, Effective Classroom Interactions and others. From 2011-2014 she was a course lecturer and author of educational activities at SCIO. She has worked at Magic Hill since 2016 with a one-year study break, which she spent in Canada. In addition to teaching, she represents our school’s parliament and the international cooperation of our school.

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  Mgr. Kristýna Lukášová Bekrová

  Teacher

  Motto: „Every adult used to be a kid, but not many recall it.”Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

  Kristýna is a graduate of Faculty of Humanities of the Charles University. For a short time she worked in a trading company, since 2014 she has been actively working with children as a lecturer and an organizer of camps and courses for parents with children. She founded and for 3 years ran her own educational facility for children, where she was responsible for the curriculum, teaching and working with parents. She co-created a number of practical creative workshops, created teaching manuals, led a team of tutors. She is also a graduate of many seminars in Montessori pedagogy, the course Respectful Communication and Critical Thinking. She has been a part of our team since 2022.

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  Svatopluk Mareš

  Czech language teacher, history teacher, Head of upper grade department

  Motto: „The world is a beautiful book, but it is not worth for someone, who cannot read in it.”

  He has many years of experience as an elementary school teacher. He has also worked with children with specific learning disabilities. Gradually, he profiled himself in the field of personal and social education, drama education and art education. He attended a seminar in Children’s Theatre Dramaturgy and led a school drama group. Svatopluk is the editor and co-author of several publications aimed at the development of literacy and personal development of pupils and co-author of the Kuliferda series of workbooks. Furthermore, he has completed a wide range of follow-up educational courses with an emphasis on developing pupils’ critical thinking and communication skills, and is a lecturer in the Live Teacher (Učitel na živo) programe. He has worked at Magic Hill since 2015.

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  Mgr. Kateřina Mášová

  Teacher

  Motto: „It is not necessary to raise the children. If you live in a respectable way, they will join you.”

  Kateřina graduated from the Technical University of Liberec in the field of Teaching for the primary level of elementary school, a focus on physical education. As a part of her studies she completed a number of internships in various elementary schools. She has been working with children since the age of fourteen, when she started working as a coach and later as a juror of sports gymnastics in Říčany. Two years in a row she organized a successful suburban camp with a focus on sports in nearby Ondřejov. In addition to her coaching exams, she completed a first aid course from the Red Cross and an American and Czech lifeguard course. Kateřina joined our school in 2021.

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  Mgr. Alena Miklová

  Teacher, Head of lower grade department

  Motto: „Do not seek to be a person, who is famous, but rather seek to be a person, who has his worth.”Albert Einstein

  She is a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Palacký University in Olomouc, majoring in Teaching for primary level of elementary school, as well as a graduate of Akcent College, majoring in Teaching primary level English language. In her many years of experience she has taught at both primary and secondary level of elementary school. She is also involved in special education, and has completed courses in neuro-developmental therapy, music therapy and remediation of specific learning disabilities. Alena is a graduate of many seminars such as Reading and Writing for Critical Thinking, Respect and Be Respected, Professor Hejný’s Mathematics, Developing Literacy or Montessori Pedagogy. She now focuses on innovative learning activities for the 21st century while developing leadership and people management. She is a part of Magic Hill since 2017.

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  Mgr. Lucie Nováková

  Teacher

  Motto: „It is incredible, what kids are capable of, if you give them a chance.”

  Lucie graduated from the Faculty of Education of the University of South Bohemia, majoring in Czech language and Civics education. She has more than 7 years of experience teaching in elementary schools as a primary level teacher. During her teaching practice she taught in high schools, as wll as in a children’s hospital. Furthermore, she was also a lecturer of the Healthy Five project focused on healthy eating in schools. She has attended a number of seminars in the field of communication, self-assessment of pupils or use of games in teaching. She is an active member of the Scouts, where she is a leader of a Scout club. Lucie has been at Magic Hill since 2020, and is in charge of the ECO School Project and a Head of the school’s ECO team.

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  Mgr. Vlasta Petrovič

  Teacher of biology, geography and chemistry

  Motto: „Imagination is more important than knowledge.”Albert Einstein

  Vlasta is a graduate of the Faculty of Science of Comenius University in Bratislava, majoring in Geology and Biology. She graduated from the secondary vocational school in Stara Pazova, Serbia, with a focus on biology and chemistry and has completed numerous professional courses in fieldwork, e.g. at Nature Conservation Schellerhau in Germany. She gained her teaching experience as an elementary school teacher in Prague and has been a part of Magic Hill since 2020. In addition to teaching science subjects, she is responsible for the school’s cooperation in ERASMUS programs.

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  Mgr. Kateřina Prachařová

  Czech and German language teacher

  Motto: „A person shouldn´t strive to be be better than others, but to be better than himself on the previous day.”

  Kateřina studied Czech language and Literature at the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education of Charles University, majoring in Teaching for high schools. She has worked in the media – as a proofreader and editor, most recently in the Czech Radio (Český rozhlas) web newsroom, and as a librarian at the Municipal Library in Prague. At CERMAT, she participated in the creation of test tasks for the common section of the maturita exams in Czech language and also taught Czech language to foreigners. Kateřina is a graduate of the Critical Thinking course and has been at Magic Hill since 2021.

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  Melanie Rada

  English and Spanish language teacher, art teacher

  Motto: „Trick people into learning through fun.”

  Mel is an English language teacher with Canadian and Venezuelan roots. She is a graduate of the University of Quebec, specializing in modern art history and philosophy. Moreover, she holds certificates enabling her to teach English and Spanish language, as well as graduating the Mindfulness in the Classroom program. She has many years of experience not only teaching foreign languages, but also specialized programs in the arts and theatre. She has worked in both Canada and the Czech Republic as a teacher, actress and an arts company director. Mel has also taught drama and English language in IB and IGCSE programs in many private schools and institutions and has worked at Magic Hill since 2013.

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  Mgr. Tereza Richterová

  Teacher

  Motto: „It is not what I possess, but what i know, that makes me rich.” Thomas Carlyle

  Tereza graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University in Prague, where she studied primary level of elementary school teaching with a focus on English language. During her studies she participated in the Erasmus exchange program in Joensuu, Finland. After graduation, she completed a C1 English language course at the Wimbledon School of English in London. Tereza also taught English in a language school, working with children from the age of two up to adults. For the last 11 years she has worked for Prague British International School. She has been a part of Magic Hill since 2022.

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  Mgr. Kristýna Řeháková

  Physical education teacher, school methodologist of prevention

  Motto: „The most precious materiál on earth isn´t oil, metals, clear air, capital, work or technology. It is our ability to listn to each other, learn from each other and to seek the truth, rather than just having it.”

  She is a graduate of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of Charles University, majoring in Coaching and Teaching, and has worked for many years as a youth sports coach and a coach of the Czech national bobsleigh team. Kristýna also has extensive experience in organizing teambuilding programs, sports competitions and is a graduate of the Life Dynamic training in counselling and therapeutic skills. In addition to teaching physical education, she is involved in prevention programs, the personal development of students and well-being projects. She has been at Magic Hill since 2018.

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  Bethany Scharnowske

  English language teacher

  Motto: „My goal is to make students as excited to learn English as I am to teach it.”

  Bethany is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in psychology and holds a TESOL certificate. She worked in the social work field for 4 years as a crisis worker in schools and families, she taught children, and worked in prevention programs for child protection. Since 2008 she has been working in Prague as an English language teacher in language schools and as a private teacher. She has experience with students from younger school age up to adulthood, including guiding students in preparation for international English language exams. Bethany has been a part of our team since 2021.

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  RNDr. Kamila Šimková-Broulová

  Spanish language teacher

  Motto: „An average teacher repeats. A good teacher explains. A great teacher shows. The best teacher inspires.”

  She is a graduate of the Faculty of Science of Charles University, majoring in Professional geography – physical geography and Geoecology and follow up studies in pedagogy at the UJEP in Ústí nad Labem. She has been a teacher for more than ten years and has taught at state and private schools. At the same time, she is a professor of geography and Spanish language at an eight-year high school and has regular lectures at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. In addition to her teaching experience, she has worked as a travel journalist and documentary filmmaker for a great part of her professional career. Along with numerous reports, she has co-authored scripts for documentary films on Czech Television and several books. Kamila is a part of our team since 2014.

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  Mgr. Tatiana Tupá Bírešová

  Učitelka historie a společenských věd

  Motto: „Vzdělávání mysli bez vzdělávání srdce není žádné vzdělávání.“”Aristoteles

  Tatiana je absolventkou Filozofické fakulty Univerzity Karlovy v oborech historie a pedagogika. Oblasti vzdělávání se na různých pozicích věnuje od roku 2015. Působila jako lektor zážitkové pedagogiky, metodik výuky pro učitele dějepisu, podílela se na tvorbě učebních materiálů pro druhý stupeň ZŠ v předmětu dějepis a občanská nauka. Dějepis také vyučovala na základní škole. V Ústavu českých dějin FF UK a v Ústavu pro studium totalitních režimů vedla workshopy pro učitele. V Magic Hill je od roku 2022.

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  Mgr. Marie Šubrtová

  Teacher

  Motto: „The best way for kids to learn, is by imitating that, what they perceive in others and by their own experience. We should také on the role of their idols and give them the opportunity to receive new experience.”

  Marie is a graduate of the Faculty of Education at Charles University, majoring in Primary level of elementary school teaching with a specialization in drama education. She worked as a form teacher in an elementary school in Prague and for three years as a teaching assistant in an elementary school in the UK. She has completed many courses such as Critical Thinking, MBTI Typology, Reading Workshop or Dramatic Education in School. Furthermore, Marie also has experience of organizing leisure programs for children, as well as organizing sports and golf camps. She has been with us at Magic Hill since 2021.

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  Mgr. Otakar Václavík

  Teacher, maths and physics teacher

  Motto: „I am not a teacher, but rather a direction sign. I have led the way of myself, as well as the way of others.”

  Otakar graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University, majoring in Vocational subjects teaching. At the moment he is also studying mathematics at Masaryk University. He has experience in teaching mathematics and physics at the secondary level of elementary school, where he has been teaching these subjects since 2006. Otakar has also worked at primary level of elementary school and as a teacher of drama education and personality education. He cooperated with the ecological organization of KONIKLEC as a coordinator of environ

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  Bc. Iveta Vojtěchová

  Teacher, Special education teacher

  Motto: „Our teachers must not solely be a motionless direction sign that does not move itself in the way it leads us.”Jan Amos Komenský

  Iveta has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Jan Amos Comenius University. She has many years of experience in private and state schools as a teaching assistant and a head of after-school activities. She is professionally involved in individual work with pupils with special educational needs along with organizing children’s camps and various experiential educational events. She has attended a number of educational courses, such as Teaching Czech to Foreigners, Art Therapy, Principles of Non-Harmful Communication and the Let’s Not Be Afraid to Teach Math course. She has been a part of Magic Hill since 2021.

Teaching assistants

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  Bc. Kristýna Dědková

  Lecturer of afternoon club, Teacher assistant

  Motto: „Rather than saying it can´t be done, say that you haven´t learn that yet.“”

  Kristýna graduated from Jan Amos Comenius University with a Bachelor´s degree in Social and Media Communication and Oakland´s College English for foreigners. She is currently studying at the Faculty of Education at the J. E. Purkyně University in the field of Teaching for primary level of elementary schools and Special Education. She has worked mostly in commercial companies and has experience in leisure and scouting programs for children, whom she also tutored. Krystýna is a part of our team at Magic Hill since 2022.

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  Bc. Barbora Markvartová

  Head of družina, Teacher assistant

  Motto: „The most important skill of our teachers, is the ability to spark the joy of the students to create and learn”Albert Einstein

  Barbora graduated from the Technical University of Liberec with a Bachelor´s degree in Business Economics. She is also a graduate of an accredited training program for teaching assistants and has worked as a teaching assistant at an elementary school for two years. She is currently completing her qualification as a teacher of pre-school and out-of-school pedagogy. In her spare time she works as a gymnastics coach, and has led several sports courses, as well as gaining experience in organizing gymnastics camps and suburban camps for children.

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  Leona Schneiderová

  Motto: „Never say never…”

  Leona first graduated from a high school of economics, then she devoted herself to raising her 4 children. Afterwards she worked as an au pair of pre-school children for 5 years, and has been working as a teaching assistant in our school since 2015. Leona completed her qualification with an accredited study as a teaching assistant and completed a number of personal trainings focused on working with youth and dealing with crisis situations in school. In addition to assisting pupils, she also runs our afternoon club.

Other members of our team

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  Hana Jirků

  Office manager

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  Bc. Simona Valešová

  Financial department

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  Karel Löwy

  Janitor

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  Veronika Břicháčová

  Head of school cafeteria

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  Petra Tichá

  School cafeteria