Meet Our Teachers

Our dedicated teaching and learning staff reflect the international nature of our community and bring a wealth of experience from their home countries and other international schools. BSB teachers are committed to ensuring all pupils receive a premium education in Bucharest. Whether teaching algorithms or guiding students into building an electric car from scratch for five days a week, the people who ensure that the British School of Bucharest maintains an excellent learning environment work tirelessly to keep our students inspired and cared for. Get to know their stories and perspectives, what sets them apart and what makes them outstanding at their job.

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Primary Support Staff

Jonathan Smith

TEACHER OF EAL

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.

Jonathan Prestbury

Primary Music Teacher

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

Primary Learning Support

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.

Teodora Ghinea

School Counsellor

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.

Eibhlin Goppert

Art & Food Technology Teacher

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.

Andreea Nichita

1:1 TA

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.

Dalila Istrate

Primary Cover/Music Teaching Assistant

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.

Vasiliki Charmani

Primary Cover Teacher

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.

Jeremy Closs

Primary Cover Teacher

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.

Secondary Support Staff

Larisa Constantin

Secondary Executive Assistant

Larisa joined the British School of Bucharest in 2012 as part of the Office Team and has worked as a Senior Project Coordinator and Deputy Customer Relationship Manager.

Larisa holds a bachelor’s degree in Management from The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE). She completed ‘The Management of Professional Relationships through Communication’
training course, and she holds a ‘Marketing Essentials’ Distinction Level Certificate, which has been instrumental in coordinating large-scale events at the School and understanding the importance of diplomacy and customer care.

Iulia Gogiia

SENCO & Learning Support Assistant

Iulia Gogiia works as SENCO in our Secondary Special Educational Needs (SEN) Department.

She joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015. Iulia holds a BA in Psychology and has recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate International Award for SEN Coordination at Middlesex University.

Milena Stefan

Learning Support Assistant

Milena Stefan joined the British School of Bucharest in 2009 as a Teaching Assistant and now works as Learning Support in the Secondary Special Educational Needs (SEN) Department.

She studied Modern Languages and has worked as a translator and interpreter. Milena also worked for a few years with different groups at risk (single mothers, abandoned children, homeless people, refugees and Roma people) and has supported poverty projects, both in Romania and outside the country. Milena holds a degree in Social Care from the University of Bucharest.

Ana Maria Marin

SECONDARY LIBRARIAN

Mrs Ana-Maria Marin joined the British School of Bucharest in 2000, our opening year. Ana-Maria has been with the School through all the essential steps to create and deliver an excellent learning environment for children. She worked with the School Office, gave Romanian lessons to students and parents, was a co-teacher in Pre-Nursery and played a supporting role for the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Department and the Able, Gifted and Talented Department. She assists with organising trips and other enrichment activities for Primary. Additionally, she is a Romanian and English Literature graduate from the University of Bucharest.

Philosophy

I believe a child learns when feeling safe, when feeling seen and when opportunities are plenty. Children are more likely to take risks, ask questions, welcome diverse opinions, and generate more productive and creative solutions if they are in continuous competition with themselves.

What I teach my students

As a librarian, my job is to match the child with the right book and ensure they come back for another book and another and then some more. As a support staff member, I encourage their creativity, spontaneity and individuality.

Something unexpected

I have named my daughter after a student I worked with, a little Japanese girl that came to us with no English at all. She could only express herself through gestures and art, but sometimes the most profound connections do not need words.
Since 1997, when I first came across it, I have read my favourite book seven times. I’m pretty sure I might reread it in the future.

Andreea Knight

Learning Support Assistant

Andreea Knight joined BSB in 2022, bringing her passion for education alongside promoting a healthy lifestyle and practising sport.

She is a graduate of the University of Bucharest, Department of Social Care, specialising in Mother and Child Protection. She has been volunteering for more than five years for non-profit organisations, providing assistance with the social reintegration process.

She has been teaching English since 2005, tutoring students and also giving class lessons in private kindergartens in Bucharest. CPD certified in teaching Phonics, her professional background also comprises co-teaching the Early Years programme at San Silvestre, Lima, being responsible for lesson planning, coordinating and delivering lessons and a contribution at the International School of Milan.

She speaks Spanish fluently as she lived in South America (Argentina and Peru) for four years. Outside of School she is a certified trainer for the Romanian Federation Sport for All. She is also a Yoga, Pilates and Tae Bo instructor.

Ana-Maria Pocol

School Counsellor

Ana-Maria joined the British School of Bucharest in 2021, as a school counsellor.

She graduated with a master’s degree in assessment, counselling and psychotherapy for children, couples and families, from the University of Bucharest. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and psychological counsellor and is currently undergoing training in hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy. She has five years of experience working with children with special needs.

In June 2020, she became a member of the research team at the Laboratory of Clinical Psychology for Children, Adolescents and Families.

Ana-Maria is also a volunteer for children with special needs and has offered her assistance in various hospitals in the pediatric psychiatric ward.

During her master’s degree, she was introduced to the notions related to play therapy and drama therapy, which she has since integrated with her therapeutic work with children.

While working with children, she focuses on connecting and providing a safe framework to grow emotionally. As a school counsellor at BSB, Ana conducts assessments and lesson observations, assisting children in developing their cognitive and emotional abilities. She also supports children in understanding their inner and outer world better and adapting their behaviour according to their needs.

Emma Morgan

SEN ASSESSOR

Emma Morgan started working at the British School of Bucharest in August 2022.

She holds a Mathematics degree from the University of Bristol and is currently completing a master’s degree in the Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing. She has a wealth of international experience, having worked in Thailand, Malaysia, and Nepal as a Maths teacher and Head of Mathematics. Emma has fostered strong bonds with her students throughout her 11-year teaching career and is now applying those skills in supporting mental well-being and helping guide pupils and students be the best they can be.

Whole School Support

Daniela Serban

Counselling Support

Daniela Serban is an Autonomous Integrative Psychotherapist and a Member of the Romanian Psychologists College.

She has over 20 years of experience working as a student mentoring and training programme coordinator. She organises individual and group psychotherapy sessions and is a consultant for human resources development and organises training sessions for social educators, as well as in vocational and personal development. Daniela joined the British School of Bucharest in 2017 as a Human Resources Development Consultant and has now rearranged her schedule to allow for individual sessions for BSB parents and staff members, helping them to get through the stressful period of COVID-19.

Elena Tudor

School Nurse

Elena joined the British School of Bucharest in 2020 as a School Nurse. In 2017, she graduated as a General Nurse from the Carol Davila School.

During the same year, she started to work in education at a private school in Bucharest, providing medical assistance and creating a warm and friendly environment amongst children and staff. A large part of Elena’s training required of her to do internships in the paediatric department of the hospital. There she gained a great deal of experience in knowing best how to act and treat children. Being a mother of two, this has also helped her immensely with her own children.

She studied Psychology and enjoys working with children, and believes that individual health can be defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being.

Elena’s philosophy is that as long as we are in harmony with our body, we can easily solve medical problems and that, any individual when not feeling well, needs care, kindness and a big smile.

Andrei Bruss

School Nurse

Andrei joined the BSB Team as the Primary Nurse Practitioner in 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in General Practice Nursing and has extensive experience in ICU, OR, ER, and Anaesthesiology. As the Charge Nurse, he has demonstrated excellent planning, organising, and coordinating skills in the challenging environment of many branding companies.

Andrei actively participates in various charitable activities, engages with non-governmental organizations associated with the Ministry of Education, and volunteers at SABIF (112). He is passionate about his work and finds enjoyment in reading and travelling during his leisure time.

CCAs & Trips

Veronica Diaconescu

Extracurricular Coordinator

Veronica Diaconescu joined BSB in 2018 as a Teacher’s Assistant. Three years later she shifted to Extracurricular Coordinator.

Veronica completed a Master’s degree in Economics at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest. Following her graduation, she worked for six years as an accountant for a private IT company. She then specialised in the payroll and human resources field, working for a year as Human Resources Inspector for an Accounting & Human Resources company. At BSB she experienced her first teaching assistant role and now her first role as an Extracurricular Coordinator. In the future, she plans to explore and gain experience in management to further develop her career.