Our Team

Anastasija Škljarska

Early Childhood Assistant 
 
For me, KUBUKI is not just a kindergarten and primary school, but a community of empathetic and open-minded people who provide children with new stimuli and perspectives from an early age. I see Montessori as a modern approach to education that is constantly evolving, and I am grateful to be part of the positive changes this concept brings.

Working with children has always been my dream. I grew up in a family of educators, where both my parents and grandparents practiced this profession, and it was these roots that led me to it. I see children as authentic, sincere, and creative beings, whose potential it is our duty to support and nurture.

I first encountered Montessori in Spain, where I lived with my daughter and attended a private British school. I am originally from Ukraine and speak several languages, including English, German, and Spanish. Continuous personal growth and pushing my own boundaries is my path to becoming a better version of myself. I believe that true change begins within us, and children represent hope for me.

Jack Lunn

Kindergarten Guide,   Native English Speaker 

I am a native English speaker and certified TEFL teacher with experience teaching children (and adults) of all ages. I first discovered the Montessori approach by chance and quickly realized that its philosophy closely reflected the way I was already interacting with my own children—encouraging them to explore, learn, and grow in their own natural way rather than imposing a fixed method that I stick to. Through this personal journey and then my time at KUBUKI, I have developed a deep appreciation for Montessori’s emphasis on self-directed learning, sensory exploration, and respect for each child’s unique pace of development as I can see how the children are flourishing in this environment. And now as I work with these wonderful kids, I aim to guide them to discover their own paths of learning and to realize their full potential. My understanding of the Montessori method and teaching English as a ‘foreign language’ allows me to design lessons that balance structure with freedom, create engaging language-rich environments in which the children’s language skills can develop, and support the children as they grow in confidence. I am grateful for this opportunity to contribute such a special learning environment that is KUBUKI and to aid the children’s growth socially, linguistically, and holistically. 

 “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”  — Alan Watts 

Petra Kostelanská

Teaching Assistant at Primary School

When working with children, I remind myself that I was once a child too, and at the same time, I enjoy being an adult who can guide children on their journey toward adulthood. I believe that being independent, responsible, and considerate of oneself and others is what school and education are truly about. Education is a gift, and one that we should cherish. I feel that KUBUKI shares this vision, which is why I work here.

I graduated from an agricultural high school and extended my “maternal leave” to educate our three children in the early grades through home schooling. During this time, I also led pottery and guitar clubs at the local community center. I furthered my education with courses in Teaching Assistant, Leisure-Time Educator, and Childcare. Lifelong learning being important to me, I also completed studies at the Higher Vocational School of Horticulture in Mělník, as well as a program in Gardening at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. Currently, I am beginning an accredited Montessori diploma course for ages 6–12.

“All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it.”  — The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Tara Nová

Primary School Teacher 

I work at KUBUKI because after many years I decided to leave traditional schooling and follow a different path. I realized that I wanted to work with children in an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and nurturing of their potential while respecting their uniqueness, so that a new generation of children could grow up carrying different qualities.

That’s why I’m here.

I studied to become a teacher of Mathematics, Physics, and Art at Charles University in Prague.

I enjoy counting, exploring the laws of nature and various phenomena, and experimenting with physics. I love helping others understand new concepts. I also enjoy creating and crafting with different materials, such as paper, leather, iron, and copper, and guiding others through their own creative process.

“The first step on the path to happiness is learning.”  — Dalai Lama 

Zuzana Diová

1st grade teacher at school

My journey of a pedagogic hero started some years ago when I was thinking about what to do after my maternity stay. Working with children was always something that I really enjoyed and made me happy so I decided to open my own business. I named my position „mobile teacher of English“. This position meant cooperating with close-by kindergartens and teaching the smallest ones English during their morning routine tasks. I became known and one day a director of ZŠ and MŠ Velhratice called me and asked if I would like to work as a teacher at a primary school in Velhartice. From this point my journey of a pedagogic hero really started. While working at school, I finished my studies at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen together with didactic education for the English language and managed to pass the Cambridge exam, level C1 in English. I stayed at ZŠ and MŠ Velhartice for long 12 years and after such a time I needed a change and KUBUKI was the best choice I could make. Except for still working and improving myself in the field of didactic, I am also interested in psychology and yoga. And in future, I would like to become a yoga instructor too. Children are for me a great inspiration in their spontaneity and sensitivity and sometimes I have the feeling they teach me more than I teach them. 

Tereza Drnková

Student at the Faculty of Education, University of West Bohemia – Primary School Guide 

Since I was little, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. Although I took a different path briefly after primary school, I decided after graduating from high school to continue at a pedagogical school and dedicate myself to working with children. I enjoy watching their joy in discovering and learning, and working with them truly fulfills me. I am motivated to be patient, approachable, and to strive to be an inspiration for the children.

What drew me to KUBUKI was how each child is given individual attention and offered exactly what they need. I appreciate that children can explore things on their own, learn at their own pace, and still collaborate with others. At my first meeting with the school, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of a team that supports such a natural way of learning.

My goal is to become a teacher who motivates children and supports their individual development. I want them to feel safe at school, be independent, and most importantly, enjoy learning. 

Šimon Velkoborský

IT Instructor

I graduated from the Secondary Technical School of Civil Engineering in Plzeň and worked for eleven years in a design office.

Since 2014, I have been working as a primary prevention instructor, focusing on topics such as interpersonal relationships, (cyber)bullying, smoking, alcohol, and HIV/AIDS. I collaborate with the organization Abatop, which provides instructor-led programs in other regions of the Czech Republic as well.

During the previous school year, I visited KUBUKI several times as a primary prevention instructor, which allowed me to get to know the school environment and the children more closely. This experience led to an offer to become part of the team, which I gladly accepted before the start of this school year.

I see new professional challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Over my twelve years as an instructor, I have worked in approximately thirty primary and secondary schools, giving me broad experience with different educational environments. However, I work best in smaller settings like KUBUKI, where I can apply an individualized approach. I see each student as a unique personality and original individual, and together we seek ways to develop their potential and take responsibility for their own learning.

Tetiana Pakhotnova

facility manager 

After finishing high school, I enrolled at the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design, where I earned my master’s degree in 2005. After university, I worked as a dispatcher at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. In 2022, my family and I left Ukraine and moved to the Czech Republic. After six months working as a teaching assistant at a primary school, I started working in a bistro, where I eventually advanced to the position of cook.

After moving to Klatovy, I was looking for a job where I could use all of my skills and abilities… and hooray, I found it!

I work at KUBUKI because I enjoy working with children, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the team is amazing!

Nikola Halabrinová

English Language Instructor – After-School Program 

A few years ago, when I was offered the opportunity to work at KUBUKI as an assistant English teacher, I knew it was the right path for me. I am enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and experience with children. Working with them is truly fulfilling, and I believe that at this age it is crucial to spark an interest in language and culture.

My five-year stay in London, where I lived and worked as a nanny for children aged 1–14, provided me with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the needs and capabilities of children at different developmental stages. I would like to use this experience to support and motivate our students in learning English.

At the same time, it is my priority to create a pleasant and stimulating environment where students feel safe and motivated to learn. I strive to be fair and to respect their individuality.

 “Education is the best gift you can give to the child.” — Debra Messing 

Barbora Hrdonková

Ceramics Workshop
 

I enjoy doing things that have meaning and impact. My life path has long been connected with social work—supporting people in various life situations. I studied Social Work at the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň and have devoted my entire professional life to this field. I have gained experience particularly through working with people with different types of disabilities, and I have been working in various positions at Diakonie Západ for almost thirty years. Currently, I work as a counselor for informal caregivers.

I look for ways to use creative activities to support relationships, meaningful ways of spending time, and connecting people around me. My mind is almost constantly full of ideas about what can be made, organized, or arranged… I engage in various creative and community activities.

I pursue ceramics as a hobby and truly enjoy it. I am delighted that the children at KUBUKI are also inspired by ceramics, and I am very curious where our shared journey will take us and how the clay in our hands will gradually transform.

“Do not demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do.” — Epictetus