Teacher Feature: Ms Miklavec, Primary Teacher

Briefly describe your journey as a teacher.

I am a great admirer of adventures, and my teaching journey has been nothing less. While still in Secondary school, I was given the opportunity to co-lead a children's scout group in my hometown, which I led on my own for the next nine years. That was the first time I led a group of children and prepared activities for them, sparking my interest in the field. Despite this new discovery, I chose to study Cultural Anthropology at university, but as if by fate, eventually even that brought me back to pedagogy when I was introduced to 'Forest kindergartens', which I was fascinated by. After creating a plan for potential Slovene forest kindergartens as part of my master’s thesis and succumbing to the many signs I had been given since a young age, I was sure it was finally time to pursue a career in teaching. I have since been part of the BISL team.

Why did you decide to specialize in Primary education?

Young children find value and magic in the most mundane things, that which we adults take for granted. It is for this reason that I believe children are our greatest teachers-they remind us of the things which are important in life and help us stay in the present moment.

Can you share a funny anecdote that happened to you recently at work?

Learning how to phonetically sound out words is part of learning how to read and write in Year 1. At this point of the school year, I often get students’ answers sounded out, such as “y-e-s”.

What is the best part of your day at BISL?

Being able to produce lessons and experiences that amaze my students, that allow them to explore their own abilities and make new connections with the knowledge they already have and support them through the start of their learning journey.

Why is the experience of an international education important for a student?

Children learn through real life experiences. In such an international environment, where some peers might not be fluent in English or some friends might leave at the end of the school year, while others join mid-year, other times they might be the ones needing to put extra effort into dealing with these situations. These experiences give students an opportunity to become adaptive, flexible, empathetic and aware that things change, and learn that change is okay. It equips them with the necessary skills to overcome challenges. I believe that to be an important life lesson, giving us the confidence to get through any obstacles in life.

And a bit about yourself:

In my free time I enjoy being outside in nature, travelling, doing yoga and other crafts.