KATARZYNA KAWSKA
GERMAN
I teach history and German at Da Vinci’s International Schools. I am also a high school year 1 form tutor.
I graduated from the Jagiellonian University’s Faculty of History with a master’s degree and completed two year postgraduate translation studies with German as the leading language at the said university.
I like mountain walks, golf and skiing. Recently I have been watching history and archaeology programmes on the History Hit channel.
“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it”. | Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
DESCRIPTION IN PREPARATION
SPANISH
MAŁGORZATA CUDEK
ENGLISH
Hi! Students call me “Miss Gosia”. I am an English philology graduate. Polish is my mother tongue, and I also speak German. I have been teaching English and literature as well as language acquisition at Da Vinci’s International Schools for four years. I teach year 4–8 MYP students. Before I began working at Da Vinci’s I lived abroad for a few years (The United States, The Netherlands and Germany). During that time, I fell in love with travelling and such a way of life brought great satisfaction, happiness and fulfilment to me. At the moment I devote my time to education. Undoubtedly the experience and knowledge which I acquired whilst travelling are extremely beneficial when it comes to international exchanges at our school. I feel extremely privileged to be responsible for coordinating the Erasmus + programme at our school. It also means that Da Vinci’s International Schools is able to develop the idea of teaching students through discovering and experiencing new cultures, which is perfectly in line with the IB school’s mission. Doing what one loves is inspirational, motivating and allows one to grow. That is why I would love to share my passion with others.
“Nothing of great value in this life comes easily”. | Norman Vincent Peale
MPAI RAMPOU
ENGLISH
I graduated from the University of the Western Cape (MA Sport, Recreation, and Exercise Science | Cum Laude, BA Honours Sport and Recreation Management) as well as teaching English as a foreign language. At Da Vinci’s International Schools I am an English teacher for years 1–3.
I love travelling, running, water polo and walking in the mountains.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Nelson Mandela
DARIA ZADARNOWSKA
ENGLISH
I graduated from Scotland’s University of Dundee. For the last five years I wholeheartedly devoted myself to cultivating young minds at Da Vinci’s School. As an English teacher I create a language environment where children learn through play, exploration and interaction. Through stories, songs and engaging activities I help them build up their vocabulary, develop language skills and cultivate love for communicating.
Outside of the school environment I am passionate about art – I love expressing myself through painting, drawing and other creative activities. When not teaching or immersed in art, I run and revel in the sensations which running brings out in me.
I deeply believe that “Children are not the people of tomorrow, but are people of today. They have a right to be taken seriously, and to be treated with tenderness and respect. They should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be. ‘The unknown person’ inside of them is our hope for the future”.
Janusz Korczak
PATRICK LAGENDIJK
ENGLISH
I teach history and English as a second language. I am also a university consultant. I hold a Master’s Degree in history awarded by University of St Andrews and a Master’s level qualification from Aston University in teaching English as a foreign language (as well as CELTA and DELTA).
I love mediating, cycling and taking my dog for walks in a forest.
“Don’t count the days, make the days count”. | Muhammad Ali
VICTORIA BIDA
ENGLISH
I studied philology at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (English and German).
At Da Vinci’s International Schools I am an English teacher and I also supervise the morning and afternoon common room.
I like travelling, I draw, read and I am curious about the subject of personal development.
OKSANA UZUN
ENGLISH
My name is Oksana. I am Ukrainian and I have been living in Kraków for more than a year. I’ve always dreamt of being a teacher and have been working on my skills as a translator. As an interpreter I have taken part in many exhibitions. It makes me proud to see my name in a number of books which I translated from Turkish to Ukrainian.
I like learning foreign languages, reading non-fiction history books and travelling. I love gardening and interior design. However, teaching is my biggest passion as I deeply know that my mission as a teacher is not only to teach the foundations of my subject, but also to help students discover their own potentials and overcome inner communication barriers as well as the fear of making mistakes.
At Da Vinci’s International Schools I teach English. It is an honour for me to work in such a school!
MONIKA KAŁUŻA-BREJ
POLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
I graduated from the Jagiellonian University and the University of the National Education Commission (Pedagogical University) in Kraków where I studied Polish philology. I teach Polish as well as Polish as a foreign language. I am also an 8th grade form tutor in primary school. I teach the Language and Literature as well as Language Acquisition groups within the scope of the IB MYP programme. I am also a coordinator of these two groups. In my free time I enjoy reading biographies of famous people, travel and learn foreign languages. I am interested in art, and in particular I like painting as well as arts and crafts.
My favourite quote comes from the Little Prince: “All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it”. A. de Saint-Exupéry. I am inspired by: Wisława Szymborska.
JADWIGA PASIUT
POLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
I studied Polish philology at the University of Warsaw and completed media as well as language learning postgraduate courses.
In my free time I devote myself to literature and travelling. I love nature! I certainly prefer mountains over the seaside!
“Act as if though someone is looking at you all the time, someone who loves and respects you and is proud of you”.
AGNIESZKA WĘGRZYNOWICZ
POLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
I graduated from the Jagiellonian University where I studied Polish philology.
I became a teacher as working with children motivates me to act and gives me immense satisfaction. I love meeting new people, finding out about their countries, cultures and discovering who they are. In my free time I read books, play volleyball and travel.