Jana and Gopal met while teaching at an IB school in Prague. They both worked on curriculum development and teacher development and bonded over their shared passion for helping children learn.
In their roles at their school, they were responsible for putting in place structures for supporting teachers in their professional development. They both realised that teachers need long-term, sustained support in order to continue developing as teachers, and also to maintain their love of the profession. Educoach was born of the idea that all teachers deserve and should expect this kind of support.
Jana has worked in education since 2001, both with children and adults. As well as classroom teaching of English language and literature, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of curriculum. She has also been involved in the training and guidance of teams of teachers.
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As part of a team of teachers, she was responsible for preparing the accreditation process for the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme). She currently supports teachers as a mentor in various schools.
A lifelong learner herself, she takes an active interest in ongoing developments in the fields of educational psychology and cognitive sciences.
Jana has studied at Masaryk University and Charles University in the Czech Republic, the University of Oslo in Norway and the University of Pennsylvania in the USA. In addition, she is an advanced mentor accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education.
Since 2005, Gopal has worked in state & independent schools in the U.K., the Czech Republic and India. At present, he is employed as the coordinator for teaching & learning at Gymnázium Evolution, an IB World School in Prague. His previous roles include leading departments, teacher development, mentoring, policy writing and classroom teaching. He has worked with both primary and secondary children and teachers.
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In addition, he has led or assisted in accreditation processes for CIS (the Council of International Schools) and the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme). He is a qualified inspector for CIS. He is also qualified to mentor teacher trainees in the U.K.
His subject specialisms are language, primary mathematics and the humanities and his research interests include early mathematics learning, language acquisition and curriculum design.
Gopal holds degrees from the University of Durham and Middlesex University London.
Why do we do what we do?
If you want to equip your students with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century, a parallel task is to ensure and expect that teachers also continue to develop throughout their careers.
We believe that teachers need a space to critically reflect on their practice, to experiment with new methods and make well-considered decisions about teaching and learning. We know that teachers can achieve this through structured conversation with a supportive mentor who can support them on their journey to mastery in the profession.
We believe that the laboratory of teacher development is the same place as where children learn: in the classroom. We also believe that teachers need the same growth mindset as children in order to develop.
We are passionate about creating the best kinds of environment for teaching and learning to happen, and we want everyone involved to feel the same excitement about this mission. We want to make a contribution to a future in which teachers in the Czech Republic have access to ongoing professional development centered in the classroom.
References
S Janou jsem se profesně setkala poprvé v roce 2014, kdy podpořila tým našeho projektu Škola bez hranic v lektorské a metodické roli. Jana do své práce vnášela jak kreativitu, tak i preciznost a samostatně vedla lektorský tým, se kterým připravovala a vedla projektové dny na základních školách. Na Janě oceňuju její nadšení pro zkvalitňování vzdělávání na školách, odvahu pouštět se do nových výzev a také její dovednost získat si důvěru svého týmu a podporovat jej v dalším rozvoji.
Janu Chráskovou jsem k nám do školy zvala z důvodu konzultací a poskytnutí podpory v oblasti výuky angličtiny. Její působení a jednání s kantory je velice citlivé, dokáže shrnout a pojmenovat, pokud o to stojíme, poukáže a poradí. Dokáže přijít s novými nápady a zachytí vznikající, možné problémové místo. Vnímavě spolupracuje s vedením v oblasti nastavení a je nápomocná v osobnostní i metodické sféře. Její vystupování a podpora byla přijata všemi členy školního týmu. Mohu říci, že Janin profesní rozsah zabírá maximální pokrytí potřeb školy.
I first met Jana when the school I am teaching English at asked her to observe & assist my teaching. I describe myself as an “accidental teacher” doing so more through being English than through academic qualification. Jana observed my lessons on several occasions. After each lesson we sat & discussed my strengths, my plan, & my areas for improvement, helping me to improve the teaching experience for both myself & my pupils. Each time this was followed up with a written observation report, useful tips & links, and a summary of our post lesson discussion, very thorough & structured, and best of all, invaluable!
My two big areas for improvement were classroom management & lesson plan with the focus on engagement & length of activity. It was obvious that Jana has gained years of incredible experience & genuinely loves assisting others in becoming better teachers. Her help has been invaluable, both myself & my pupils have greatly benefitted from her experience. I would now definitely class Jana as not only a trusted resource, but also as a friend. She is incredibly approachable & friendly, and should I need further assistance with a particular part of my classroom technique, I am sure that help is only one call away. Thank you Jana, the teachers’ teacher!
Pana Gopala Menona znám jako učitele anglického jazyka už od září 2008 . S přestávkou čtyř let s ním od té doby spolupracuji – ne jen jako s učitelem, ale v posledních třech letech také v roli metodika výuky, školitele učitelů. Pan Menon se také významnou měrou podílel na tvorbě výukového programu připravujícího žáky naší školy na studium mezinárodního programu International Baccalaureate. Pan Menon se ve všech těchto rolích ukázal jako obrovský přínos pro naši školu. Zvláště bych chtěl ocenit jeho práci s učiteli. Dokáže velmi dobře pracovat jak s většími skupinami, tak s jednotlivci, kdy konkrétním učitelům poskytuje zpětnou vazbu na jejich hodiny a pomáhá jim jejich výuku zefektivnit. Pana Gopala Menona rozhodně doporučuji jako učitele i jako profesionála v oblasti dalšího vzdělávání pedagogů.