People

We enjoy life with children

Preschool

Petra Holáková
Teacher of children aged 1,5 - 3
Petra Holáková
Teacher of children aged 1,5 - 3

I love working with toddlers and their parents together in Montessori playrooms and therapy. I enjoy being in nature, dancing and healthy and really good cooking.

With us since 
2016
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Rosario A. Castillo
Teacher of children aged 1,5 - 3
Rosario A. Castillo
Teacher of children aged 1,5 - 3

I grew up in Spain, surrounded by nature. Education allowed me to connect with my inner child and understand that everything begins at birth. With care and love I carry little human beings every day, through life.

With us since 
2024
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Martina Zábranská
Teacher of children aged 3 - 6
Martina Zábranská
Teacher of children aged 3 - 6

I enjoy sharing and working with the parents; my two daughters are already growing up and I see that who they are now is who they've always been. I enjoy doing what the children enjoy, as well as music and art therapy.

With us since 
2013
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Anna Miller
English teacher of children aged 3 - 6
Anna Miller
English teacher of children aged 3 - 6

I fell in love with Montessori back in university, during which I assisted in a preschool for four years. Even after ten years of teaching in Montessori schools at home in the USA and in Thailand, I still love how it develops independence, creativity and a life-long love of learning.

With us since 
2023
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Hana Burešová
Teacher of children aged 3 - 6
Hana Burešová
Teacher of children aged 3 - 6

I love children's imaginative spirit and their enthusiasm, which can be so contagious. I enjoy watching their progress and success when they learn something new. I love nature and I love to sing.

With us since 
2023
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Zuzana Matyášová
Asistent to children aged 3 - 6
Zuzana Matyášová
Asistent to children aged 3 - 6

I like spending time with my family on trips the most. I love reading, philosophy, movement and being outdoors. What I like about children is their spontaneity, joy and discovery process while being in nature.

With us since 
2024
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Lucie Černická
Deputy Director, Community Development
lucie@willowtrees.cz
Lucie Černická
Deputy Director, Community Development
lucie@willowtrees.cz

I enjoy finding ways to support teachers and discovering ways to develop the nursery school. When children grow up in a kind environment with boundaries and spend a lot of time outside, they are receptive, kind and able to respect others. I love being with my children, discovering new landscapes.

With us since 
2023
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Pavla Hrušková
Everything around food
pavla@willowtrees.cz
Pavla Hrušková
Everything around food
pavla@willowtrees.cz

I enjoy the happy faces of children when their tummies are full or when they taste something new. I love baking goodies with them, putting them to sleep with fairy tales and thinking up exercises during afternoon clubs.

With us since 
2014
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Ester Vrbová
Assistant to children aged 3 - 6
Ester Vrbová
Assistant to children aged 3 - 6

Young children are irresistible and fascinating, so pure, open and themselves! Until recently I had no desire to be a teacher, I wanted to study law and get to know the world, but this work changed me as it makes so much sense to me.

With us since 
2021
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Markéta Schnellerová
Flutes
Markéta Schnellerová
Flutes

With us since 
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Miroslav Kodym
Aikido
Miroslav Kodym
Aikido

With us since 
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Ivana Hessová
Kathak
Ivana Hessová
Kathak

With us since 
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Montessori work with the children has brought me humility, respect for the creative strength in each of us and a greater understanding of myself.

I experience each child's first steps to independence with a quiet wonderment. The beginnings of the miraculous processes of a blossoming personality. I enjoy the endless search for ways to help that, and I'm inspired by the diversity and endless possibilities.

Martina, Teacher of children aged 3 - 6
I first taught the children English and back then I already knew I was caught and I wouldn't stop, my joy and passion grew whenever I saw them in their eyes.

But then, when I became a mother and thought about my school experiences, I understood that I have to take the Montessori path. I really enjoy meeting the children and their parents every day and learning with them and from them.

Heloise, Teacher of children aged 1.5 - 3
Willowtrees lives for the Montessori philosophy not only for children, but also for adults.

It never stops creating and evolving its environment, with respect to the uniqueness of each child and their family and also with respect to the uniqueness of each teacher. This harmonic connection creates an atmosphere that is palpable as soon as you enter the school. We together perceive that our sense is to fine-tune all the components so that every soul, whether child or adult, can fully shine their authentic light. And this journey and joint growth is what I enjoy and what fulfils me the most.

Petra, Teacher of children aged 1.5 - 3

Elementary school

Nicole Horová
Head Teacher of Grades 1 - 3
nicole@willowtrees.cz
Nicole Horová
Head Teacher of Grades 1 - 3
nicole@willowtrees.cz

I taught little children as well as adults in the past and Grades 1 - 3 at Willowtrees are the best! They go headfirst into everything, wonderfully curious and honest. I enjoy being there as their independence, awareness of themselves and their gifts blossom.

With us since 
2019
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Chase Merino
English Teacher of Grades 1 - 3
Chase Merino
English Teacher of Grades 1 - 3

Montessori is my passion. Every day I observe small and big miracles and I am happiest when I am their co-creator and guide. The children are so great, each one shines with its color, its talent, and I absolutely believe in the potential of each of them.

With us since 
2023
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Chris Gaston
English Teacher of Grades 1 - 3, Art, Ceramics
Chris Gaston
English Teacher of Grades 1 - 3, Art, Ceramics

I come from the USA, spent some of my life in Japan and all of it making and sharing art. Art is self-expression and a tool for connecting with others and each of us is an artist somewhere.

With us since 
2019
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Zuzka Áčková
Assistant for Grades 1 - 3
Zuzka Áčková
Assistant for Grades 1 - 3

The safety, peace and harmony of others warms my heart. I like looking for and finding ways to understand the perceptions of the world of those who are different, and to build bridges for them. I love nature and movement.

With us since 
2022
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Marie Lamrová
Assistent to Grades 1 - 3
Marie Lamrová
Assistent to Grades 1 - 3

With love and patience I help those who need more support. I am excited to watch the daily hustle and bustle in our wonderful group of younger children, where everyone is equal.

With us since 
2025
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Bára Perknerová
Head Teacher of Grades 4 - 6
bara@willowtrees.cz
Bára Perknerová
Head Teacher of Grades 4 - 6
bara@willowtrees.cz

I studied maths and Montessori helped me discover how beautiful, colourful and playful it can be. I also enjoy the German language and adventures in nature thanks to my two sons.

With us since 
2016
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Robin Valencia
English teacher of Grades 4 - 6
Robin Valencia
English teacher of Grades 4 - 6

I move around in the classroom every day, all day. Children can communicate with me not only during lessons, but at any time, in the classroom, at lunch, outside. I am proud of each of their progress, from the moment they lose their shame to the moment when we can talk about the weekend we had.

With us since 
2023
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Klára Mašátová
Assistent to Grades 4 - 6
Klára Mašátová
Assistent to Grades 4 - 6

Každým dnem proplouvám třídou a podporuji ty, kteří zrovna potřebují pomoct. Ať už s projektem, češtinou nebo dějepisem. Miluji hudbu a tvoření. Věřím, že se nám i v menším kolektivu podaří založit školní kapelu.

With us since 
2024
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Ondřej Dostál
Assistent to Grades 4 - 6
Ondřej Dostál
Assistent to Grades 4 - 6

With us since 
2024
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Jitka Dvořáková
Organisation & Communication
jitka@willowtrees.cz
Jitka Dvořáková
Organisation & Communication
jitka@willowtrees.cz

I love being the invisible eyes and hands in the background, giving things a framework, order and beauty. I am overjoyed with every encounter with parents or neighbours and with the development of our school garden.

With us since 
2018
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Monika Jarošová
Afternoon care & food
monika@willowtrees.cz
Monika Jarošová
Afternoon care & food
monika@willowtrees.cz

What is the most important question at 12:00? Moniiii, what will be for lunch today? :-) I will feed the children, entertain them in the group and hand them over to their parents in the afternoon. I fulfill such basic but important needs day after day and still enjoy it!

With us since 
2020
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Jarda Kalousek
Head Teacher of Grades 7 - 9, Social Sciences
jarda@willowtrees.cz
Jarda Kalousek
Head Teacher of Grades 7 - 9, Social Sciences
jarda@willowtrees.cz

My driving force is the constant search for the courage to grow and to overcome obstacles, the courage to reach for your dreams. And I try to pass that on not only in Czech Language and Social Sciences, but through sports and mental fitness as well.

With us since 
2014
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Tomáš Birčák
Teacher of Grades 7 - 9, Science
Tomáš Birčák
Teacher of Grades 7 - 9, Science

My passion has always been nature, and I love spending time in the wilderness. I try to pass on how we can live in harmony with it and everything is interconnected. I also see it in chemistry, food, strengthening our bodies and in Thai boxing.

With us since 
2019
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Semina Sersinou
English Teacher of Grades 7 - 9
Semina Sersinou
English Teacher of Grades 7 - 9

I move around the world. At this moment, I am anchored at Willowtrees, where I am a daily part of the lives of our beloved teenagers. Every day I am fascinated by their energy and I remember my teenage years with a smile. It's fun!

With us since 
2023
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Arun Rajeev
English Teacher of Grades 7 - 9
Arun Rajeev
English Teacher of Grades 7 - 9

While traveling around the world, I anchored in the Czech Republic. In a wonderfully nurturing environment for our teenagers, I accompany students through activities such as gardening or workshop work where they can turn off their endlessly buzzing brains for a while.

With us since 
2023
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Alejandra Núñez
Spanish
Alejandra Núñez
Spanish

My birthplace is Mexico, where I return every year for a while to see my family, to return to my dear students. I am as alive as my native language. I am also an artist, I teach art at other schools.

With us since 
2020
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Vláďa Hájínek
Music
Vláďa Hájínek
Music

Where I go, there I play. Whether at concerts or at Willowtrees. Younger children love music, older ones too, but they prefer to listen to it rather than produce it :-). Everything can be worked with, in musical activities I try to involve everyone in such a way that they feel satisfied.

With us since 
2023
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Adéla Zmrzlíková
Drama
Adéla Zmrzlíková
Drama

Life is not a drama. Or is i? My passion is theater, which I study, I love books, music and everything around art. I am interested in the process of development of a child's soul. I like to accompany children on their journey of self-awareness, gently and actually completely unobtrusively.

With us since 
2022
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Markéta Schnellerová
Flutes
Markéta Schnellerová
Flutes

With us since 
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Miroslav Kodym
Aikido
Miroslav Kodym
Aikido

With us since 
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I have already experienced many miracles at Willowtrees. It's unbelievable how soon we can kindle our inner flame and are then able to change the world around us.

A personal approach, safety, and trust are necessary for searching for and finding this flame. Only then can we create a space where we have the courage to live great dreams, to love life and its whimsy and to always return to oneself as a source of happiness and peace. Together. I hope my students can think critically and manage to stand up for themselves and to become who they want to be.

Jarda, Head Teacher of Grades 7 - 9
It never ceases to move me how the children look forward to coming here every day, the joy they return with after the weekend, that they miss coming here when they're sick.

For me, Willowtrees is a place where children learn everything with curiosity and the teachers help them with love and understanding. A place where things make sense, where everything is real. I'm lucky I can be a part of it.

Nicole, Head Teacher of Grades 1 - 3
It is wonderful when work is a hobby, and even more so when its so fulfilling. Each day I look forward to the joy, laughter and adventures large and small that we share together.

Every day I experience the children's nature and genuineness. Their desire to learn, understand and live unsullied by fear. I enjoy inspiring and supporting this and I enjoy growing with them and learning from them.

Bára, Head Teacher of Grades 4 - 6
When I first came to Willowtrees, It wasn't a school like I knew, but a family full of life, movement and creativity, people immersed and enthusiastic about what they are currently doing.

A school that truly develops a love for learning and allows children to be who they really are, to grow and to make mistakes. As I child, I would have liked such a school and I am very glad I can help to create it.

Chris, English & Art Teacher

Founders

Vojtěch Vrba
School Principal, Physics & ICT
vojtech@willowtrees.cz
Vojtěch Vrba
School Principal, Physics & ICT
vojtech@willowtrees.cz

During my middle life crisis, I got a school instead of a motorcycle. All my life I've been working in the virtual IT world, but this is reality that is of profound importance.

With us since 
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Nina Kodymová
CEO, Vision & Development
nina@willowtrees.cz
Nina Kodymová
CEO, Vision & Development
nina@willowtrees.cz

I am pleased to see us all grow. And I am moved by and truly enjoy being with adolescents, some of whom I have known since preschool. And I am amazed at how far they have come and how they shine more and more with their inner flame.

With us since 
2010
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Career

Come join us!

Do you enjoy working with children? Are you interested in Montessori methods of teaching? We offer all this at Willowtrees, and even much more!