JUSTYNA KOPCZYŃSKA
YEAR I
I am a graduate of what is now the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in early school and preschool education and a Master’s degree in general pedagogy.
I lived in the United States for a number of years, where I worked with American kids. During the last three years of my stay there I worked as a teacher in the Kids Island preschool in Schiller Park.
As a teacher I feel that the American education system has expanded my horizons. It taught me to treat every child as an individual, encouraged me to reach for original and less conventional methods when working in a preschool or a school.
I have been associated with the Da Vinci’s International Schools community for 9 years. Currently I am a 3rd grade form tutor.
In my private life I am a mother of two teenage daughters and owner of a fearsome looking, cuddle-loving dog called Chico. I am passionate about photography. It provides me with the luxurious feeling of escaping the everyday routine, even within my own four walls. I try to have fun with photography, it allows me to view the world in a somewhat different light and see things which I would otherwise miss in the daily hustle and bustle. I try to slow down, taste life without hurrying because, as one of my favourite Polish journalists and authors noted, “when you rush, you don’t see anything, you don’t feel anything, you don’t experience anything and you don’t think! A fast pace makes the deepest strata of your soul arid and barren, blunts your sensitivity and dehumanises you”…
ALEKSANDRA MORDACZ
YEAR II
I graduated from the Pomeranian University in Słupsk where I studied preschool and early school pedagogy. I am continuously expanding my skills and tools by attending professional training sessions and methodology workshops.
In my relations with the kids, I rely on building an atmosphere of trust and safety. For me, it is extremely important to build an attitude of self-reliance and self-belief in children.
I consider myself to be a cheerful and an open minded person. In my free time I enjoy travelling and spending time with people I like. I also like to get completely engrossed by a good book.
My life motto is “be the type of person you’d like to meet”.
MONIKA KLIŚ
YEAR III
I am a 3th year form tutor at Da Vinci’s International Primary School. I graduated with a Master’s degree in preschool and early school pedagogy. I also completed a postgraduate course. For a number of years I taught English to youngsters, helping them acquire knowledge through play and games. In my work I try to adapt teaching methods to the needs of each student whilst creating an atmosphere conducive to stimulating inquisitiveness and one which encourages independent thinking.
I often observe and draw upon the know-how of more experienced teachers. In my private life I love trying out and discovering new culinary recipes. To relax I solve Sudoku puzzles. They calm me down and help me to concentrate.
Katarzyna Kowalewska-Panek
YEAR 0
By education and by passion, I am a preschool, early childhood, and Polish language teacher. I am a graduate of the Jagiellonian University and the Pedagogical University of Kraków. Since 2009, I have been working with children in both preschool and school settings. My goal is to make school a joyful and safe place for students — a place they want to return to, where, with my support, they can independently discover knowledge and develop their talents.
In my free time, I enjoy literature, film music, and the meadows of the Bieszczady Mountains.
My inspiration comes from the words of the outstanding educator Janusz Korczak:
“A child has the right to be themselves. The right to make mistakes. The right to have their own opinion. The right to be respected. There are no children — there are people.”
Kamila Kulpińska
YEAR 0
I am a graduate of Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce. I completed a degree in pedagogy, earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and preschool education with English language teaching, followed by a master’s degree in early childhood and preschool education with a specialization in educational therapy.
I have been working as a teacher for 9 years. I have cared for both the youngest children just beginning their preschool journey, as well as older ones aged 4–5. In my work with children, I strive to ensure they feel safe and gain knowledge through a variety of teaching methods.
Privately, I am a mother of two daughters who remind me every day how lucky I am. In my free time, I enjoy going on trips with my family outside the city to catch a breath and see the world from a different perspective. I love capturing these moments in photographs, as photography is my passion.
A child’s smile has always been something special to me — a reminder of the carefree days of childhood. That’s why, both in my personal and professional life, I’m guided by the words of Janusz Korczak: “When a child laughs, the whole world laughs.”
Alina Sliusar
YEAR 0
My name is Alina Sliusar, and I work as an English teacher. I hold a degree as an English-Ukrainian and Ukrainian-English interpreter, which enables me not only to teach language but also to connect cultures and perspectives.
Outside of school, I find joy in art and nature — they offer me peace, inspiration, and a space to reflect. I believe that language is more than just a tool for communication; it’s a way to express ourselves and explore the world.
One quote that continues to inspire me in both my personal and professional life is:
“This too shall pass” – Solomon
It reminds me that every situation — whether joyful or challenging — is temporary, and change is part of growth.