Oana Ștefan

Form Tutor 1 Alfa

From an early age, I dreamed of becoming a teacher. Some of my favourite childhood games involved my younger sister playing the role of the student while the wardrobe became our classroom whiteboard. Looking back, those moments were the first signs of a passion for education—a passion that has guided me, step by step, towards a profession I truly love.

I graduated from the National Teacher Training College within the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iași in 2005. Since then, I have continued to develop both professionally and personally by earning the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) in 2018, achieving the Romanian Qualified Teacher Status (Definitivat), followed by the Second Teaching Degree in 2022. My commitment to lifelong learning also led me to pursue training in NLP and coaching, becoming a certified coach through the Romanian Coaching Institute. These experiences have enriched my teaching practice and enable me to create authentic learning experiences tailored to the needs of every child.

I began my teaching career in 2005 and have since gained experience in a variety of educational settings across both state and private education. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead teams, take on leadership responsibilities, and support the professional development of my colleagues.

Since joining Avenor in 2017, I have worked with children across all Early Years age groups, supporting their learning journey and helping them grow into confident, capable learners. I have also mentored new colleagues, guiding them in implementing the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.

Working with young children brings me immense joy and gives me the opportunity to help build strong foundations for both their academic and personal development. I believe these early years shape the way children see themselves as learners, which is why I strive to create a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to discover their unique potential.

I firmly believe that every child has extraordinary potential that flourishes in an environment where they feel secure, respected, and encouraged. My goal is to build genuine relationships based on trust and empathy, where mistakes are embraced as valuable learning opportunities and every challenge becomes a chance to grow.

Every day, I feel grateful to be part of the wonderful world of childhood – a world filled with curiosity, joy, and discovery. At Avenor, we nurture the leaders of tomorrow, and this journey begins with dedicated teachers who inspire children to believe in themselves and embrace learning with confidence. I am proud to contribute to this meaningful mission with passion, commitment, and care.