I decided to become a teacher of English many years ago. My mum often tells me that, as a child, I would pretend to be a teacher, with my dolls lined up as my pupils. Like many young girls, I once dreamed of becoming a doctor, an actress, a teacher, or a ballerina — though many of us grow up to be accountants, nurses, event planners, and so on. I had my doubts and faced my share of ups and downs, but in time, I came to understand that teaching was what I was truly meant to do.

I graduated from the Faculty of Letters and Sciences in 2005 (University of Ploiești), and I began teaching English in the very same year. From the start of my career, I became actively engaged in my professional development, attending various courses, conferences, and workshops that helped me explore key aspects of teaching English to different age groups — including young learners, teenagers, undergraduate students, and adults. These included training in Jolly Phonics and Grammar, Classroom Management based on Adlerian principles, Thinking Routines in the Classroom, and a series of certificates in exam preparation (YLE, KET, PET) awarded by the British Council. I also obtained the Primary Essentials Certificate, the Cambridge Business English Certificate Higher, and a Certificate in Teacher Training.

In October 2011, I proudly became a Cambridge CELTA-qualified English Language Teacher after completing an intensive one-month course in the UK. During this experience, I immersed myself in British culture and gained valuable insights into teaching methodology, language awareness, lesson planning, and effective use of classroom resources.

Over the years, I have remained committed to professional growth and to understanding my students’ behaviour in order to better meet their individual needs. I have come to see that children are naturally eager to learn and explore — their minds are like sponges, ready to absorb everything around them. Most importantly, I’ve learned that through play, each child can express their creativity and reveal their full personality.

I started working as a Teacher of English at Avenor College in 2014 — and what a wonderful experience it has been! I’ve continued to grow professionally, always setting new goals and seeking opportunities to develop my practice. In 2016, Avenor College became a member of The Common Ground Collaborative, which gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of guided inquiry, thinking routines, and visible learning. Throughout these years, I have taken on several roles: Teacher of English, English Curriculum Leader for Lower Primary, and later, Coordinator for both Lower Primary and Pregătitoare classes.

In 2017, new opportunities arose, and I was intentional about embracing those that aligned not only with my professional aspirations but also with the school’s vision. One such opportunity was the leadership course Leading Learning from the Middle. The most meaningful outcome of this experience was the creation of a development plan aimed at improving the teaching and learning process in Lower Primary. As the Lower Primary Coordinator, I had the opportunity to implement this plan — although only for a year, as I was soon blessed with a baby girl and took maternity leave. Now, alongside teaching English, I cherish spending sunny days at the park with my daughter and deeply value the time we share together.

As an English teacher at Avenor School, my hopes for the next school year are to inspire students to love creative writing and to express their ideas with confidence. I aim to create a classroom culture where learners support one another through meaningful feedback. By reflecting on their learning, I hope they will recognise their progress, celebrate their achievements, and set new goals. With new colleagues joining the English Department, I look forward to sharing resources and ideas, learning from their experiences, and growing together as a team.