Teachers in Charlotte
Czech Teachers:
Preschool Teacher
Pavla Blažková was born in Zlín, Czech Republic. With her mom as a high school teacher and her 2 siblings, she has always been close to education and children. She graduated from the University of Huddersfield in UK, Faculty of Business with a Master's degree in Marketing and Management. Pavla is currently working for a Czech design company. In 2018 she moved to Charlotte with her partner and their Brussels Griffon Kiwi.
Pavla Blažková was born in Zlín, Czech Republic. With her mom as a high school teacher and her 2 siblings, she has always been close to education and children. She graduated from the University of Huddersfield in UK, Faculty of Business with a Master's degree in Marketing and Management. Pavla is currently working for a Czech design company. In 2018 she moved to Charlotte with her partner and their Brussels Griffon Kiwi.
Preschool Assistant
Marketa O'Shaughnessy grew up in Opava, Czech Republic. She was always interested in traveling and learning about other cultures and languages, which naturally led her to move out of the Czech Republic. She worked as a nanny in London, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, NC, where she gained a lot of experience working with young children. She then obtained her license to practice massage in 2007 in the Czech Republic and ran her own massage practice there for three years. In 2012, she returned to the United States, and in 2017, she started her studies at the NC School of Advanced Bodywork and Massage in order to gain her NC massage license and begin practicing massage once again. Marketa lives in Matthews, NC, with her husband Paul and two children, Patrick and Karolina.
Marketa O'Shaughnessy grew up in Opava, Czech Republic. She was always interested in traveling and learning about other cultures and languages, which naturally led her to move out of the Czech Republic. She worked as a nanny in London, Los Angeles, and Charlotte, NC, where she gained a lot of experience working with young children. She then obtained her license to practice massage in 2007 in the Czech Republic and ran her own massage practice there for three years. In 2012, she returned to the United States, and in 2017, she started her studies at the NC School of Advanced Bodywork and Massage in order to gain her NC massage license and begin practicing massage once again. Marketa lives in Matthews, NC, with her husband Paul and two children, Patrick and Karolina.
Elementary School Teacher
Katerina Mitchell was born and raised in Brno, Czech Republic. She loves her home country and takes every opportunity to visit with her family there. When she was 4 years old, her parents signed her up for gymnastics where she spent another 10 years of her life. A daughter of a hockey player makes her a big sports enthusiast. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree of International and Development Studies at Mendel University in Brno in 2014, she decided to explore the world and ended up in exotic Hawaii. For one year, Katerina (Kate) lived with a military family while looking after their 2 sons. She was a nanny for 3 years and has always been close to children. She was a real estate agent in Hawaii and is continuing with her real estate career in Charlotte. Kate married a military veteran, became a step-mom to 2 wonderful boys (Preston and Logan) and in 2018, she had a baby girl Vanessa.
Katerina Mitchell was born and raised in Brno, Czech Republic. She loves her home country and takes every opportunity to visit with her family there. When she was 4 years old, her parents signed her up for gymnastics where she spent another 10 years of her life. A daughter of a hockey player makes her a big sports enthusiast. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree of International and Development Studies at Mendel University in Brno in 2014, she decided to explore the world and ended up in exotic Hawaii. For one year, Katerina (Kate) lived with a military family while looking after their 2 sons. She was a nanny for 3 years and has always been close to children. She was a real estate agent in Hawaii and is continuing with her real estate career in Charlotte. Kate married a military veteran, became a step-mom to 2 wonderful boys (Preston and Logan) and in 2018, she had a baby girl Vanessa.
Elementary School Teacher
Zuzana Palmer is originally from Prague, Czech Republic. She lived in 3 countries during her childhood and in 6 different states across the US in the past 20 years. She taught adult IT courses in the banking industry for over 7 years, then later as an Adjunct Instructor at a community college for 3 years. This past May, she and her family moved from Phoenix, AZ, to Charlotte. She is very excited to become a part of the Czech & Slovak School and this newly found Czech community. She married her college sweetheart and they have 2 young daughters as well as a Mini Schnauzer named Daisy.
Zuzana Palmer is originally from Prague, Czech Republic. She lived in 3 countries during her childhood and in 6 different states across the US in the past 20 years. She taught adult IT courses in the banking industry for over 7 years, then later as an Adjunct Instructor at a community college for 3 years. This past May, she and her family moved from Phoenix, AZ, to Charlotte. She is very excited to become a part of the Czech & Slovak School and this newly found Czech community. She married her college sweetheart and they have 2 young daughters as well as a Mini Schnauzer named Daisy.
Substitute Teacher
Robert Ripper spent the first half of his life in Northern Moravia's Silesian region, mainly in Ostrava and Havířov. Given the constricting ripple effects of the mining and steel industries demise there, he decided to pursue opportunities in the New World. Soon after relocating to the US in 1998, he settled in the Charlotte area where he also met his wife, Linda. Later, they adopted their daughter Ellie, also from the Czech Republic, meeting her for the first time on their 10th wedding anniversary when Ellie was almost 4 years old. Robert earned a Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy from UNC Charlotte and feels privileged to work in a critical care setting at Levine Children's Hospital. Having spent most of his adult life around the Queen City, he considers himself fortunate to be able to stay true to his Czech roots yet be fully immersed in the city he has now called home for many years. Robert's plans for the future include involvement in local school ministry projects with his church.
Robert Ripper spent the first half of his life in Northern Moravia's Silesian region, mainly in Ostrava and Havířov. Given the constricting ripple effects of the mining and steel industries demise there, he decided to pursue opportunities in the New World. Soon after relocating to the US in 1998, he settled in the Charlotte area where he also met his wife, Linda. Later, they adopted their daughter Ellie, also from the Czech Republic, meeting her for the first time on their 10th wedding anniversary when Ellie was almost 4 years old. Robert earned a Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy from UNC Charlotte and feels privileged to work in a critical care setting at Levine Children's Hospital. Having spent most of his adult life around the Queen City, he considers himself fortunate to be able to stay true to his Czech roots yet be fully immersed in the city he has now called home for many years. Robert's plans for the future include involvement in local school ministry projects with his church.
Substitute Teacher
Sylvie Brockman was born and raised in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She received a bachelor's degree in Economics from a Czech university. After coming to the US 17 years ago, she was a nanny for a family with 7 children. She now works as a holistic nutrition and health coach. She is passionate about a healthy lifestyle, traveling, reading, and everything outdoors. Her 2 boys are bilingual, and they enjoy going back to the Czech Republic every time they have a chance. Sylvie and her family live in Waxhaw, NC.
Sylvie Brockman was born and raised in Ostrava, Czech Republic. She received a bachelor's degree in Economics from a Czech university. After coming to the US 17 years ago, she was a nanny for a family with 7 children. She now works as a holistic nutrition and health coach. She is passionate about a healthy lifestyle, traveling, reading, and everything outdoors. Her 2 boys are bilingual, and they enjoy going back to the Czech Republic every time they have a chance. Sylvie and her family live in Waxhaw, NC.
Slovak Teachers:
Preschool Teacher
Tatiana J. Dobson grew up in Prešov, Slovakia. She later lived in England and then moved to the USA. She studied business administration at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Currently, Tatiana works as a REALTOR® NC/SC in the Charlotte metro area. She lives in Rock Hill, SC, with her husband and 11-year-old son. Tatiana is a military spouse and active member of Family Readiness Group associated with the 178th Engineer Battalion in York County. They provide support and assistance to local soldiers and their family members.
Tatiana J. Dobson grew up in Prešov, Slovakia. She later lived in England and then moved to the USA. She studied business administration at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Currently, Tatiana works as a REALTOR® NC/SC in the Charlotte metro area. She lives in Rock Hill, SC, with her husband and 11-year-old son. Tatiana is a military spouse and active member of Family Readiness Group associated with the 178th Engineer Battalion in York County. They provide support and assistance to local soldiers and their family members.
Preschool Teacher
Marcela Zacharova is originally from Lipany in Slovakia. She came to the US in 2003. Marcela and her family moved from northern Virginia to Fort Mill, SC, in June 2017. Marcela received her business degree from New Castle University in the UK and before coming to the US, she also lived and worked in Germany. Marcela was a full-time music, piano, and preschool teacher while living in Virginia as well as a local childcare consultant for Cultural Care Au Pair. Marcela is currently providing support for families who host au pairs in the Charlotte area. Marcela loves to travel with her husband and her 2 young boys. When she is not spending time with her children while they are playing soccer, T-ball, lacrosse or hockey, she likes to cook, bake, garden, and read books. She is also a big Washington Capitals hockey fan.
Marcela Zacharova is originally from Lipany in Slovakia. She came to the US in 2003. Marcela and her family moved from northern Virginia to Fort Mill, SC, in June 2017. Marcela received her business degree from New Castle University in the UK and before coming to the US, she also lived and worked in Germany. Marcela was a full-time music, piano, and preschool teacher while living in Virginia as well as a local childcare consultant for Cultural Care Au Pair. Marcela is currently providing support for families who host au pairs in the Charlotte area. Marcela loves to travel with her husband and her 2 young boys. When she is not spending time with her children while they are playing soccer, T-ball, lacrosse or hockey, she likes to cook, bake, garden, and read books. She is also a big Washington Capitals hockey fan.
Elementary School Teacher
Renata Sebuck born in Jarabina, a small village in the Eastern part of Slovakia, Renata entered the USA as an Au-pair. After meeting her now husband she decided to stay as an international student and studied nursing at Palm Beach State College where she obtained her license in nursing and practiced for 15 years as registered nurse in Florida and Illinois. In July 2018, her family moved to Charlotte where she now enjoys being stay at home mom to their two children Chloe 12 and Lucas 3. Her family travels to Slovakia every other year and is thankful that her children have the opportunity to practice and improve their Slovak language here in the Carolinas.
Renata Sebuck born in Jarabina, a small village in the Eastern part of Slovakia, Renata entered the USA as an Au-pair. After meeting her now husband she decided to stay as an international student and studied nursing at Palm Beach State College where she obtained her license in nursing and practiced for 15 years as registered nurse in Florida and Illinois. In July 2018, her family moved to Charlotte where she now enjoys being stay at home mom to their two children Chloe 12 and Lucas 3. Her family travels to Slovakia every other year and is thankful that her children have the opportunity to practice and improve their Slovak language here in the Carolinas.
Elementary School Teacher
Judita Quiñones grew up in Zvolen, Slovakia. After receiving a degree in Hospitality Management from Matej Bel University, she followed her dream to travel and moved to Chicago, IL where she completed an internship in hospitality industry. In 2007, she moved to San Francisco, CA where she pursued an MBA at SFSU, married the love of her life, and gave birth to her firstborn son. In 2012, Judita and her family embarked in an adventure that took them to five cities over a period of four years, until finally ending up in Charlotte, NC. Judita enjoys hiking, gardening, dancing, baking, and spending time with her two children: Martin and Sofia. She keeps strong ties with her family and friends in Slovakia and is excited to contribute to keeping the Slovak language alive.
Judita Quiñones grew up in Zvolen, Slovakia. After receiving a degree in Hospitality Management from Matej Bel University, she followed her dream to travel and moved to Chicago, IL where she completed an internship in hospitality industry. In 2007, she moved to San Francisco, CA where she pursued an MBA at SFSU, married the love of her life, and gave birth to her firstborn son. In 2012, Judita and her family embarked in an adventure that took them to five cities over a period of four years, until finally ending up in Charlotte, NC. Judita enjoys hiking, gardening, dancing, baking, and spending time with her two children: Martin and Sofia. She keeps strong ties with her family and friends in Slovakia and is excited to contribute to keeping the Slovak language alive.
Substitute Teacher
Slávka Edelmayer was born in Lucenec, in south Slovakia near the border with Hungary. She was an au pair in England for a year and then returned to Slovakia to become a high school English teacher for 3 years. In 1998, she and her husband Jim moved to the US and lived in New Jersey for 7 years before moving to Mooresville, NC. Slávka and Jim have 3 boys. She goes to Slovakia every year to participate in English Camp in her birth village of Panicke Dravce. She has 2 sisters and a brother who still live in Slovakia, and her mom lives with her in the US. She enjoys baking, cooking, and playing keyboard at church with her worship team.
Slávka Edelmayer was born in Lucenec, in south Slovakia near the border with Hungary. She was an au pair in England for a year and then returned to Slovakia to become a high school English teacher for 3 years. In 1998, she and her husband Jim moved to the US and lived in New Jersey for 7 years before moving to Mooresville, NC. Slávka and Jim have 3 boys. She goes to Slovakia every year to participate in English Camp in her birth village of Panicke Dravce. She has 2 sisters and a brother who still live in Slovakia, and her mom lives with her in the US. She enjoys baking, cooking, and playing keyboard at church with her worship team.