Meet Our Teachers

Victoria Smith

Victoria Smith joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015 as Head of Primary School. She acquired her PGCE and MA in International Education from the University of Sunderland in England.

She holds additional degrees in Spanish and Political Science. Following her passion for professional development and school improvement, Victoria is an accredited facilitator of the COBIS leadership training programmes, including CPAH (The COBIS Programme for Aspiring Heads) and CPML (COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders). These courses are delivered to delegates from around the world.
She is also qualified as a ‘Lead Improvement Partner’, helping other international schools obtain COBIS accreditation. Victoria has over 20 years of experience working with children in schools. Before becoming a Teacher and senior leader, her background was in social services and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Dan Batson

Dan Batson, Director of Academic Studies at the British School of Bucharest, joined in 2014. Dan is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Whole School.

Dan has a BA in Education from Wolverhampton University, a MA with distinction from Liverpool Hope University, and an NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). He started his teaching career in Birmingham in 1998, working mainly in Key Stage 2 within the British Curriculum. In 2005, he joined a highly respected international British school in Abu Dhabi, where he worked as Assistant Headteacher. At BSB, he oversees all curriculum and assessment matters within Primary and has led many whole-school projects, seeking opportunities to incorporate technology effectively within the classroom.

Paul Gildea

Paul Gildea joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015, taking on the Key Stage 2 Coordinator role and, more recently, Director of Pastoral Care and Inclusion.

He studied at the University of Durham and graduated with a BA degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies before undertaking a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) focusing on Modern Foreign Languages at the University of London, and has an MA in Education, Leadership and Management from the University of Derby. Paul gained eight years of experience in the British school system, rising to the position of Assistant Headteacher while working in two London primary schools. He has also worked as an English Subject Leader and Year 6 Teacher at the British School of Beijing.

Laura Gildea

Laura Gildea is the Director of KS2, having joined the British School of Bucharest in 2017.

She worked as an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher before moving to London to complete her PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) in Primary Education and then teaching in London for several years. Before joining our school, Laura gained experience in teaching the British Curriculum in an international setting with the British School of Beijing, where she taught in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

William Chamley

Will joined the British School of Bucharest in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher, bringing with him 15 years of teaching experience.

He completed his BA (Hons) in Primary Education in Canterbury and then spent five years teaching in his home county of Essex, Southern England. In 2014, Will moved overseas and has been teaching internationally in Qatar since then, most recently as English Lead and KS1 Teacher at the Royal Grammar School of Guildford, Qatar.

Will is an avid traveller, having visited over 50 countries, including Uganda, Japan, and Australia. He enjoys learning about other cultures and teaching children from a range of nationalities. He likes to create a vibrant and fun classroom environment, where children use practical resources to support their learning.

Daniela Vezeanu

Daniela Vezeanu began working at the British School of Bucharest in 2008 in Early Years.

She has a BA in Universal and Comparative English Literature. During her time working with children, she has specialised in working in the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

Jeremy Closs

Jeremy joined the BSB team as a Primary Cover Teacher in 2023.

Originally from California, USA, he moved to Romania in 2019, where he began teaching English as a foreign language to students of all ages. Jeremy holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Sciences and a master’s degree in Science and Religion, which reflects his passion for both maths and sciences.

Outside of the classroom, Jeremy enjoys playing football, exploring the outdoors and practising his skills in woodworking. He is passionate about extending learning beyond the classroom and introducing new ideas into the educational environment.

Claudia Gagea

Claudia Gagea joined the British School of Bucharest in 2006 as a Teaching Assistant. She worked throughout the school but mainly in Key Stage 2 (years 4, 5 and 6).

She graduated from the Romanian-American University in Bucharest with a degree in International Relations, International Banking and Finance. She obtained her CTAIC course (Certificate for Teaching Assistants in an International Context) from the University of Northampton and currently works in EYFS, Pre-Nursery class.

​ Lucy Harrison

Lucy Harrison joined the British School of Bucharest in 2019 as a Teaching Assistant. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.

Lucy obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, specialising in Social and Community Psychology, and a PGCE from the University of Birmingham. Lucy has volunteered in schools and worked as an Activities Director. She is a Class Teacher now and passionate about providing quality education to students and promoting a lifelong love for learning.

Elena Badea

Elena joined BSB in 2024. She is a visual artist and school pedagogue with over four years of experience in education. Elena excels in interacting and communicating with children, motivated by a strong desire to apply her skills to foster their harmonious and healthy development. Her experience as a school pedagogue has enhanced her ability to connect emotionally with children and adapt to the dynamic nature of educational settings. Known for her positive and energetic approach, Elena seamlessly blends theoretical knowledge with intuitive insight in her work.

Victoria Weller

Victoria joined BSB in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher. She completed her PGCE in 2022 at the University of Chester, following the completion of her Business and Management (BA) degree in 2018. She then worked as a supply teacher in the North West of England for a year before relocating to Romania. Prior to this, she volunteered in Thailand for a month, teaching young children English in a small village near Chiang Mai—an experience that ignited her passion for teaching abroad.

Victoria is dedicated to fostering creativity and a love of learning in her pupils, while also supporting their academic and personal growth.

Ana-Maria Bragadireanu

Ana-Maria Bragadireanu currently works as a Teaching Assistant. She joined the British School of Bucharest in 2005 and has mostly been with Pre-Nursery and Nursery.

She also held the Resources Coordinator position for three years, covering classes in Years 1 to 6 during this time. Ana-Maria attended the George Cosbuc Bilingual High School, studying English as a second language, and has also studied English with a teaching module at the Spiru Haret University.

Ellis McConnell

Ellis McConnell joined the British School of Bucharest in 2022 as a Primary class teacher.

She graduated with a PGA degree from the University of Brighton, where she was the school-wide lead in English. Before starting her international teaching journey at BSB, she spent the last few years teaching in a school in the UK. As a former international school student who completed her secondary education and IB diploma in Thailand, she is eager to share her knowledge and expertise with her pupils. Ellis leads the Guides at BSB and has a keen interest in pastoral development.

Nicoleta Bragadireanu

Nicoleta Bragadireanu started at the British School of Bucharest in 2006, working in Pre-Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 as a Teaching Assistant.

She is a graduate of the University of Bucharest (Department of Foreign Languages and Literature) and, in 2014, completed her CTAIC (Certificate for Teaching Assistants in an International Context) with the University of Northampton.

Mark Cowley

Mark joined the British School of Bucharest in 2024 as a Class Teacher and Year Group Leader. He brings twenty years of primary teaching experience in various classroom and leadership roles, both in the UK and international contexts.

After graduating from the University of Stirling with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Environmental Science in 1999 and completing a postgraduate qualification in Information Technology at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, in 2002, Mark began his full-time teaching career in 2004 after completing his PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University College.

Over the subsequent twenty years, Mark’s career has encompassed teaching in the UK state and private sectors across Key Stages 1 and 2, as well as in the international arena, specifically in the UAE and Egypt. He has consistently sought to develop his subject knowledge to enhance his own practice and, most importantly, to support the learners in his care. To this end, Mark achieved the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) in 2018.

Livia Bud

Livia Bud joined the British School of Bucharest in 2007 as a Teaching Assistant, working with Key Stage 1 for six years and, more recently, spending time with Key Stage 2.

During her time with the school, Livia has completed many courses, including Teaching Assistant, Child Protection, First Aid, Online Safely, Safeguarding Young People and The Prevent Duty.

Philip Holland

Philip Holland joined the British School of Bucharest in 2022 and he is a dedicated teacher with a great deal of experience working across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

He graduated from Aberystwyth University with a degree in Business Economics. Before completing his Primary PGCE at Edge Hill University, he worked as an EAL specialist for two schools in Vietnam, the British Vietnamese International School and the British International School.
Since completing his Primary PGCE, he worked as a Key Stage 2 Teacher at the renowned Kuwait English School. Philip’s expertise is language acquisition and he combines humour with exciting opportunities to ensure his students are successful.

Joanna Voicu

Joanna joined BSB in 2023 as a Teaching Assistant. She had previously worked within a primary school in the South East of England, where she gained extensive experience working with children over a six-year period. Joanna worked as both a Teaching Assistant and a 1:1, supporting children with special educational needs.

Joanna has completed numerous training courses in different areas of childcare and education, including working towards a degree in Childhood Studies with the Open University.

In her spare time, Joanna enjoys travelling, walking and photography.

Stephanie Nasskau

Stephanie joined the British School of Bucharest in 2023. She completed a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) with a specialism in SEN (Special Educational Needs). Prior to this, Stephanie completed a degree in Creative Writing and had her final piece performed in London theatres.

She began her teaching career in the UK, where she was Year 4 lead and SEN curriculum coordinator, before transitioning to international teaching in Doha, Qatar. Over the course of 4 years, she developed her leadership skills as head of EY/Key Stage 1 Maths and introduced new online platforms across the school campuses.

Stephanie has a passion for mental health and its relationship to academia. She introduced a mental health awareness initiative in her previous role and hopes to bring this knowledge with her.

Karen Cojocaru

Karen, born and raised in the UK, graduated with a Primary Education degree from the University of Lancaster. She taught in primary schools in the north of England for a few years before moving to western Germany, spending 10 years teaching in an international environment. During this time, Karen played an important role in setting up a new bilingual international school in Cologne as part of the school’s Leadership Team. Karen joined BSB in 2014 and has successfully driven various initiatives including coordination of Literacy within Primary and as Year 4 Leader.

Sam Smith

Originating from the scenic county of Somerset, UK, Sam’s path embarked on a thrilling adventure in 2006 when he joined the Royal Navy. For five years, he proudly served aboard HMS Albion, honing his skills and discipline.

Sam’s path eventually led him away from the military, unveiling a newfound passion for teaching and coaching. His pursuit of this passion led him to Qatar in 2018, where he spent 5 and a half years. Now, his heart is set on nurturing the younger generation, sharing his wealth of experiences and guiding them toward their own remarkable journeys.

Sam joined the British School of Bucharest in 2023 as a Teaching Assistant.

Susan Cowley

Susan joined the British School of Bucharest in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher. After spending five years working as a TEFL teacher in Japan, she completed her PGCE in Primary Education in Canterbury, Kent. She then taught for several years in Kent, where she also took on the role of School Council Leader, before making the move to teach at an international school in Dubai. Upon returning to the UK, she taught in schools in Manchester and Aberdeenshire, Scotland, covering the Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 1 age ranges. Prior to joining the British School of Bucharest, Susan taught for two years at a British International School in Cairo, Egypt, where she also served as a Writing Coordinator.

Ioana Iftime

Ioana joined BSB in 2024 as a Teaching Assistant. She completed a BA in Romanian and English at the University of Bucharest in 2023 and is now pursuing an MA in Literary Studies at the same university. She recently earned a CELTA certificate and has been tutoring children of all ages in English since 2022.

Passionate about philosophy, literature, and science, Ioana has written award-winning academic papers exploring the relationship between these subjects. She also volunteered with Save the Children Romania in 2017, teaching underprivileged children.

In her free time, she enjoys teaching herself Korean, reading, and helping children with their schoolwork.

Viviana Balan

Viviana joined BSB in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher. With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology from King’s College, Viviana lived and was schooled in the UK . Viviana’s journey into education began when she moved to Romania to work as a Teaching Assistant at BSB. This experience ignited her passion for teaching, leading her to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at University College London (UCL). After gaining valuable teaching experience in Hackney, London, she is now eager to return to Romania and the British School of Bucharest and apply her skills and knowledge in a new educational setting and role.

Bianca Olah

Bianca Zamfirescu joined the British School of Bucharest in 2012 as a Teaching Assistant.

Throughout her time at BSB, she has gained valuable experience in supporting children across the Primary School, with a particular focus on Key Stage 2. Bianca graduated from Transylvania University in Brasov with a degree in Romanian-English Literature and also a master’s degree from Bucharest University in Communications and Public Relations. She completed a Certificate for Teaching Assistants in an International Context at the University of Northampton, which has helped to shape and develop her classroom practice.

Carl Helps

Carl is a highly committed and dedicated teacher with a strong background as a UKS2 teacher and middle leader.

Carl graduated from Liverpool Hope University in 2009. Following a few years working with children with SEN, he completed his PGCE at Keele University in 2013. He then taught within the UK education system for four years before embarking on an international teaching career.

He first joined the British School of Bucharest in 2019 as a Primary Teacher in Year 6 and coordinated Maths across the Primary School. After a span of three years, he resumed his career in the UK as a Phase Lead and Head of Maths, before returning back to BSB in 2023. Prior to working at BSB, he worked at the International Community school in Amman, Jordan, as a Year 6 teacher and Upper Key Stage 2 Phase Lead.

Valentina Voiculescu

Valentina joined the British School of Bucharest in 2008. She is an experienced educator with over 15 years of involvement in British Schools. Throughout her career, she has taught students across various age groups, from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). This breadth of experience has enabled her to develop a comprehensive understanding of child development and tailor her teaching methods to effectively engage students of all ages.

In addition to her classroom experience, Valentina holds a degree in European Studies and International Relations. This academic background has enriched her perspective with a global outlook and a deep appreciation for intercultural understanding. To further enhance her teaching skills in diverse settings, she pursued a Certificate for Teaching Assistants in an International Context at the University of Northampton.

Valentina values the importance of providing a well-rounded educational experience. She is enthusiastic about integrating creativity and hands-on activities into her lessons. In her leisure time, she enjoys pursuits such as hiking, swimming, and cars – interests that occasionally find their way into her teaching to create engaging and memorable learning experiences.

Valentina is a highly motivated educator who thrives in collaborative environments. She believes that her extensive experience and dedication to nurturing young minds make her a valuable addition to any school community.

Alyssa Bullen

Alyssa Bullen joined the British School of Bucharest in 2023. She graduated as a Dickson Poon Law Scholar from King’s College London, UK. Alyssa obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law, and a Master’s degree specialising in Law with Corporate and Financial Services from the National University of Singapore. She worked in the accountancy profession before pursuing a PGCE from Goldsmith’s University. Coming from an expatriate family, she values being part of an international community. As a Class Teacher, she is committed to supporting students’ individual growth and academic progress.

Alina Bazna

Alina joined BSB in 2024. She is an aspiring English Teacher and translator with a deep passion for learning.
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Literary Translation from the University of Bucharest, she is particularly enthusiastic about British culture, film, theatre, and television.
Alina loves engaging in various art projects and actively encourages her pupils to apply their knowledge to their favourite hobbies as a way to enhance their learning experience.

Emily Marsh

Emily Marsh joined the British School of Bucharest in 2019 as a Primary School Teacher and one of our Curriculum Coordinators.

Emily graduated from the University of Edinburgh and attended the University of Exeter, where she obtained her Primary PGCE, specialising in the Humanities. Emily started her teaching career 10 years ago, is a dedicated teacher with experience across the EYFS, KS1 and lower KS2 in the UK and overseas. She joined us after six successful years in Shenzen, China.

Sara Kordoghliazar

Sara Kordoghliazar joined BSB as a Primary Teacher Assistant in 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Coventry University in Sport Management and has the International Professional qualification in tennis awarded by the Spanish Tennis Federation. As a tennis coach, Sara has worked with children as young as three years old, making patience one of her key skills, along with organisation and motivation.

Justin Confer

Justin joined BSB in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher and Year Group Leader. His teaching career has been shaped by diverse experiences across the globe. His journey began as a Middle School Team Lead at DYB English Academy in Seoul, South Korea. Following this, Justin spent two years at Ascend International School in Mumbai, India, as a PYP Homeroom Teacher, where he developed engaging lesson plans and fostered a culture of discovery.

In 2021, Justin moved to Bucharest to join an international school, initially as an Upper Primary English Teacher and later advancing to Head Teacher. In these roles, he focused on developing curricula for multiple year groups and mentoring new educators. Justin’s dedication to education and his ability to build strong relationships within the school community have been central to his success as an educator, helping him to inspire and guide both students and colleagues.

Maggie Giordano

Maggie joined BSB as a Teaching Assistant in 2023.

Coming from Canada originally and having spent time travelling across Europe, gaining exposure to various cultures and meeting new people, Maggie is thrilled to have settled in Bucharest. With a strong passion for literature, languages, and learning, she aspires to leverage her interests to make valuable contributions to the BSB Team.

Zoe Brzezinski

Zoe joined BSB in 2024 as a Primary Class Teacher. She graduated from Leeds Trinity University with a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education: Later Years with Qualified Teacher Status, having been raised and schooled in the UK.

Zoe began her international teaching career in 2017, working in Wrocław, Poland, for seven years. During this time, she taught Years 4, 5, and 6, while also serving as Deputy Head of Primary, Acting Head of Primary, and, more recently, Primary Coordinator. She also established and led her school’s gymnastics club.

Zoe prides herself on creating a classroom where children are not only accepted but celebrated for who they are—an environment where a love of learning develops, and where children not only achieve their academic goals to the best of their ability but also leave as well-rounded, respectful, and open-minded members of society.

Cristina Paduraru

In 2023, Cristina joined BSB as Primary Teaching Assistant, bringing diverse skills and a strong academic background. With a bachelor’s degree in European Administration and a master’s in the Management of the Public Sector, she excels in teamwork and demonstrates versatility. Cristina’s high school years, notably completed at Victor Babes National College in Bucharest, showcased her commitment to excellence in various activities, from public speaking to sports and the arts. Her passion for nature, love of animals, and proficiency in computer gaming and singing add a dynamic dimension to her professional profile. Cristina’s mature and calm demeanour, coupled with a detail-oriented and resourceful mindset, positions her as a valuable asset in both solo and collaborative endeavours at BSB.

Scott Cable

Scott’s journey into teaching began when he started working with children as a full-time volunteer Sports Coach in Edinburgh for six months in 2007. This then led to a year working as a Teaching Assistant at a school for students with severe emotional and behavioural difficulties. After this, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education at The University of Edinburgh in 2009.

Scott spent one year teaching Year 5 in Scotland while completing further training to achieve full registration. Afterwards, Scott moved to Romania to teach at another international school where has been very busy for the last 12 years, teaching Years 2, 4, 5 and 6 and performing a variety of leadership roles including Pastoral, KS2, Technology, Year, and PSHE Leader.

Scott joined the British School of Bucharest in 2023.

Anca Huțanu

Anca Huțanu joined the British School of Bucharest in 2019 as a Teaching Assistant.

Anca graduated from the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași, and she has Bachelor’s Degrees in both Psychology and English with German, together with her teacher training qualification. Anca has four years of experience in the private education sector, teaching English in different schools in Romania.

Georgiana Varbiu

Georgiana joined the BSB team in 2023 as Primary Executive Assistant. In this role, Georgiana ensures the effective and efficient running of the Primary School office.

Georgiana holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages and possesses vast experience in television. As Office Manager, she has demonstrated excellent planning, organising, and coordinating competences in the demanding environment of a branding company.

She has been involved in different charities, volunteered in scout organisations, and has been one of the voices offering emotional support on the Elderly Line.

Yelena Chivaran

Yelena joined the British School of Bucharest in 2023, assuming the role of Resource and Stationery Coordinator. She plays a pivotal role in maintaining the cohesion of the Primary School office, ensuring seamless and efficient operations.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages, Yelena brings over 15 years of experience in Office Administration, Office Support, PA, and Document Control. She is a highly skilled professional in her field, and her expertise is evident in her work at BSB.

Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015 as a teacher in the EAL Department.

Prior to moving to Romania, he taught English to children in Years 1 to 9 at a Czech state school, where he also worked on an initiative to introduce e-learning and promote inclusion within Czech schools. Jonathan’s significant experience with language learning also includes working with a prestigious Czech IT company, for whom he founded the English Language Training Department and helped establish an award-winning private international university, leading the English Department.

Ramona Boiangiu

Ramona Boiangiu joined BSB in 2003 and has worked in the Primary school with Year 2, 3 and 4 for more than 10 years.

She currently works with Year 1 and enjoys every single day with the children. Ramona has a BA in English and Spanish from Spiru Haret University and achieved a CACHE Level 2 Diploma for Teaching Assistants with Distinction Diploma. She has also gained the Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) and recently the Cambridge English Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA).

Raluca Bobeica

Raluca Bobeica joined the British School of Bucharest in 2016.

She has an MA in Public Relations and Communication and a BA in Foreign Languages. Before joining the school, Raluca was an English teacher and a freelance photographer, working with children aged two to 15.

Megan Thompson

Megan joined BSB in 2024 as a Primary Drama Teacher. After earning her degree in Theatre Studies (Theatre Education) from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, she spent six years teaching middle and high school theatre. She then moved to Romania, where she has been teaching both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 homeroom classes. Megan is passionate about the role of theatre in education, believing it empowers children to develop 21st-century skills while fostering empathy, active listening, and a sense of shared responsibility among learners.

Jonathan Prestbury

Jonathan joined the British School of Bucharest as a Primary Teacher in 2023. He graduated with combined honours in Music Technology and Media Communications and Culture from Keele University and started his teaching career in Primary Schools in the United Kingdom.

Jonathan has extensive experience performing, composing and recording a variety of musical styles and is a featured artist on several major recordings working with well-known record labels in the UK, such as Bella Union. His main instrument is the guitar, but he has also taught and can play the drums, bass and piano.

He began teaching primary-aged children a range of creative skills such as music, animation and film making, working with schools across the whole of the UK before completing his PGCE in Music and moving on to work in Secondary Schools in the North West of England. Jonathan also achieved a Cambridge accredited qualification to teach English as a foreign language and is a passionate advocate and practitioner of all the arts. He firmly believes in the educational power of creativity.

Nicholas Morgan

Nicholas Morgan has a BSc in Astronomy and Maths, which he obtained whilst living abroad in Malaysia.

He started his journey as a teacher at the Nexus International School in Putrajaya, Malaysia. He is an experienced KS2 teacher who taught Year 6 for the last three years at The British School Kathmandu in Nepal. Having extensive knowledge of new technologies, he uses technology to enhance learning as an ICT coordinator and a Google Certified Trainer. He has an innate passion for developing a growth mindset in his students and encouraging them to embrace all facets of their education.

Vasiliki Charmani

Vasiliki earned her BA in French Language and Literature from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She holds an advanced master’s degree in Education of the French Language from the Open University of Patras (Greece) and an MA in Educational Psychology from the University of Nicosia (Cyprus).

Her teaching career began in Greece, where she taught French in various language schools and public and private schools in Athens. Over the last nine years, she worked
within the International Baccalaureate system, teaching French to students ranging from Year 4 to Year 13 in different European countries, including Switzerland, Austria, and Latvia.

Vasiliki has been an examiner for the French exams DELF DALF for two decades and possesses extensive expertise in A-level and IB courses. In Austria, she also served
as an intensive needs teacher assistant at an elementary school, providing support to students with learning difficulties.

In her leisure time, Vasiliki enjoys travelling, cooking, and expanding her language skills.

Geraldine Andrews

Geraldine has been a primary school teacher in the British Curriculum for 30 years, including 10 years as a Headteacher. She possesses extensive experience in a variety of schools in the UK and internationally.

Geraldine previously worked at BSB from 2019 to 2022 and rejoined BSB in 2023 with great excitement.

Dalila Istrate

Ms Dalila Istrate joined the British School of Bucharest in January 2005 as a Teaching Assistant. She brought a wealth of talent and experience gained working with children, both within and outside Romania. Dalila is a qualified Art Teacher and has completed three international courses as part of her continuous professional development during her 16 years as a Teaching Assistant.

Philosophy

After I lived in Argentina for several years and worked with children from poor backgrounds, I realised that I had the skills and knowledge to prepare them for a better world. Teaching is a way of offering a solid learning experience to each pupil, which is one reason that inspires me to continue to teach to this day.

What I teach my students

I will start with Maria Montessori’s metaphor, ‘The Child, His Majesty’.
Every year group demands specific necessities. Being an EYFS Music Teacher is a challenge for me to make them understand and embrace Music at such an early stage of their lives. Being a Primary Music TA is a perfect opportunity for me to support my students in learning and discovering Music and instruments.

Something unexpected

I am quite a good ping-pong and badminton player, and I received the title of Champion in Secondary School by competing with different school teams from Romania.

Andreea Nichita

Andreea Nichita joined BSB as a Teaching Assistant in August 2022. She is a certified Yoga teacher and completed her certification at Rishikesh, India, in 2020. Following her passion and continuous desire to keep learning, she is pursuing a Diploma in Psychology.

Andreea-Alexandra Tanase

Andreea joined BSB in 2024 as a Teaching Assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Bucharest. Over the years, she has studied in both France and Poland, with a keen interest in topics such as instructional design, gamification of learning, LMS (Learning Management System), and BBL (Brain-Based Learning).

Professionally, Andreea worked for two years as a Primary School teacher and Social Sciences teacher within the public education system in Romania. She holds the title of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) in the field of Social Sciences. Additionally, she has experience working with students with special educational needs related to ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), ADHD, and Dyslexia.

Andreea directed her teaching interest towards disadvantaged communities in rural areas of Romania. She was also a trained teacher within the NGO Teach for Romania, where she developed skills in working with students to improve literacy, numeracy, socio-emotional, and leadership skills.

In 2022, she obtained an Erasmus+ scholarship for teachers in Italy, where she participated in a training course in the field of digital tools in teaching – ICT tools.

Her hobbies include learning foreign languages, writing, photography, literature, and cooking.

Antonia Niculescu

Antonia has been part of the BSB Team since 2020 and has just returned from maternity leave in 2024.

Theodora Anagnostopoulou

Theodora has taught English, French and Greek as a foreign language teacher.

Through this extensive experience, she has acquired new techniques in teaching, become more patient, made new friends and visited new places to meet her students. In 2013, though her coming to Romania did not seem like a step in the right direction as she did not speak the language back then, she reinvented herself and taught in nurseries. Her last position as Deputy Headmaster at a French kindergarten also helped her gain experience in preschool stages. “I know only one thing that I know nothing”, by Socrates, keeps her forever interested in learning daily from her students.
She likes learning languages when she doesn’t work or tries to create with yarn and needles what she cannot draw. Having no pets in her new location, she turned her love to plants and found out she has green fingers, after all.

Eibhlin Goppert

Eibhlín Göppert joins the British School of Bucharest as a teacher of Arts, Design & Food Technology.

She received a first honours BA in Education and Psychology from the Mary Immaculate College in Ireland, specialising in Art in Education and ABA in Psychology. She also attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston to receive the Nord Anglia training on launching STEAM challenges in school.

Eibhlín has taught across both Primary and Secondary schools, including as Head of Art at the British International School Hanoi in Vietnam. In that role, she achieved excellent results and created an engaging curriculum that challenged and provided increased interest in IGCSE and IB Visual Arts courses.

She aims to continue working internationally and in Secondary Art Education, collaborating with professionals and students from around the world to provide meaningful learning opportunities that align with our ever-changing environment.

Teodora Ghinea

Teodora Ghinea joined the British School of Bucharest in 2022 as a School Counsellor. She graduated with a MA in Assessment, Counselling and Psychotherapy for children, couples and families from the University of Bucharest.

Teodora is a Member of the Romanian Psychologists College, professing as an Autonomous clinical psychologist and psychological counsellor. She has experience working with children with emotional, social or school difficulties, as well as experience working with children with special needs, including expertise in personal development workshops. Teodora also has long-term training in Experiential and Unification Psychotherapy focused on adult-child-couple-family.

Teodora volunteers for children in different associations and non-formal activities, providing them with emotional support.