English program team
Meet our team. Native speakers teach English through games and common communication and give your children a head start over their peers at an early age.
Elena Šarifová
Manager
Education: university
”It has always been my great hobby to learn foreign languages, that is why I graduated from the University of Pedagogy, majoring in English and German. At the same time, I have always gravitated towards children, I have 3 children myself, which is why I decided in 2005 to found a language center for children of preschool and school age. I know from my experience that the earlier a child starts learning a foreign language, the better. Children in this period learn the language quickly, they do not think about it like adults. So my goal is to teach children a foreign language through play, so that learning takes place in a natural way.
After gaining a lot of experience in teaching children’s language, I founded a Czech-English kindergarten in 2015. It is a joy for me to see when a child begins to speak not only one foreign language, but two at the same time. I know that teachers are a very key factor, I always choose them with my heart and some of my own intuition, and I must point out that I am doing well. We have a great team of teachers.”
Aneta Řezníčková
Director, teacher, native Czech speaker
Education: university
Jaclyn Colosi
Teacher, native English speaker
Education: university
Hello! I’m Jaclyn. I was born and raised in a small town in New York, USA. Working with children brings me great joy! I received my BA in Early Childhood Education from Ashworth College in the USA and have worked with children in the USA, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. My pedagogical approach is influenced by the philosophy of education from Reggio Emilia. My goal is to create a safe environment based on trust, mutual respect and deep care for each other. I believe this creates the foundation for a child’s ideal learning and development. It is important that children feel safe, heard, and accepted which then fosters a desire to learn with minimal distraction.
Carolyn Hart
Teacher, native English speaker
Education: university
” I am American and have lived abroad with my teacher husband for over 12 years. I am a mom to two young adults who grew up in third cultures. We enjoy Prague for its rich culture and quality of life. This is our sixth year in Prague after having a break in the USA during the Covid-19 pandemic. I come to Opalinka with a love for young children to help them grow and learn. I have been in the preschool classroom in schools in North Africa, the Middle East, the USA and Europe. Children can learn best when they feel secure and cared for while they are at school. My 8 years of teaching children from different parts of the world has helped me understand how to guide children in play while they are simultaneously learning English. I follow best practices for young children from both the UK and the USA. My favorite activities are literacy focused; reading books and telling stories. I understand that the environment is the third teacher and strive to make the classroom a stimulating, calm place. Teaching young children is a most rewarding experience!”
Kaity Bitter
Teacher, native English speaker
Education: university
Zachary Moustis
Teacher, native English speaker
Education: university
“I was born in Buffalo, New York and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Communication and Culture. After my studies, I worked as a children’s TV show producer, activity coordinator for after-school programs, swim instructor, and online ESL teacher. In 2021, I obtained my TEFL Certificate and began working in Prague. I have worked as an Elementary and Secondary school teacher as well as a private teacher for children and adults. I bring my knowledge and creativity to create dynamic and inspiring lessons. I particularly love to incorporate music and games. I believe that children are naturally curious and interested in the world around them and understand the importance of providing them with a safe and nurturing environment in which to thrive. In my free time, I like to travel, play guitar, read comics, and play board games with friends. “
Adriena Sadílková
Teaching Assistant, native Czech speaker
Education: high school
“I have been helping out at Opalinca for several years. When I started working here, I was really excited to work with children, even the smallest ones, and that’s why I decided to continue on this path. So my current goal is to study at university school in preschool pedagogy. I love watching children’s progress, laughing with them or just talking. I believe that the most important thing is to treat children with respect and love so that a pleasant environment can be created in kindergarten.”
Julie Zedníková
Teaching Assistant, native Czech speaker
Education: high school
“My name is Julie, my education was in the art sphere, which is one of my goals that I would like to pass on to children. I also have a year of intensive English studies, which allows me to work as effectively as possible with teachers who are native speakers of the English language. Working with children fulfills me. Their first years of life are crucial and they need to start in an environment full of respect and understanding. In an environment where they can be themselves and where they look for their interests. That’s the most important thing for me. I am at the beginning of my teaching journey and plan to continue to educate myself in this area.
I spend a lot of time outdoors, I often read, sometimes I do graphics and illustrations, I paint and I am generally a creative person.“
Lenka Trig
Teaching Assistant, native Czech speaker
Education: high school
” My name is Lenka, I am a professional nanny and I have been working with children for many years. At the age of 18, I traveled for the first time outside the borders of the Czech Republic to England, where I worked as an au-pair. After returning, I was definitely convinced that I would continue in this profession. My priority has always been individual care. So I started working as a nanny in Czech and mixed families, where I provided complete childcare and minor housework. After a few years of experience in Czech and Czech-English kindergartens, I came to Opalinka, which became my second home thanks to the friendly and family atmosphere. I like to create, sing, read books and do Montessori activities with children. It always charms me with its immediacy. It’s a wonderful job when you see how children can learn quickly. It brings a lot of joy. “
Contact
Opalinka Flora
+420 722 406 020
Head of Opalinka Flora
ms.reditelka@opalinka.cz
CEO
Opalinka mateřská škola a jesle s.r.o.
+420 773 529 411
flora@opalinka.cz
facebook.com/opalinka
Other branches
All branches navigation
www.opalinka.cz
Address
Slezská 117
130 00 Praha 3-Vinohrady
Opening hours
Mo-Fri 8 AM to 6 PM (English program)
Mo-Fri 8 AM to 5 PM (Czech program)
Corporate information
Opalinka mateřská škola a jesle s.r.o.
Registration number: 03708411
File number: C 236535 (Municipal Court in Prague)
Application
Do you want your children to attend English-Czech kindergarten with native speakers? Sign up to Opalinka!
The application form can be found HERE.
We would like to inform you that we succeeded in applying for a grant from the European Union funds within the Operational Program Research, Development and Education (Templates III. For OPALINKA kindergarten and nursery sro, reg. Number CZ.02.3.X/0.0/0.0/20_081/0022651 ). Our goal is to increase the quality of education and training, including strengthening their relevance for the labor market. Staff support, joint education and development of children and pupils in cooperation with parents / public. Facilitating the transition of children to kindergarten and subsequently to primary school.