Teachers in Durham
Czech Teachers:
Upper Elementary Class (ages 11+)
Jan Hannig grew up in Prague. His mother was a preschool teacher and his father a popular musician. Jan studied mathematics at Charles University and moved to the USA in 1996 to study statistics at Michigan State University. He currently works as a professor of statistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at Michigan State University, Jan taught Czech to descendants of Czech immigrants in Owoso, MI. He also volunteers in a children’s program at his church. Jan is married to Shevaun Neupert and they have two children, Klára and Declan.
Jan Hannig grew up in Prague. His mother was a preschool teacher and his father a popular musician. Jan studied mathematics at Charles University and moved to the USA in 1996 to study statistics at Michigan State University. He currently works as a professor of statistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at Michigan State University, Jan taught Czech to descendants of Czech immigrants in Owoso, MI. He also volunteers in a children’s program at his church. Jan is married to Shevaun Neupert and they have two children, Klára and Declan.
Lower Elementary Class (ages 6 - 10)
Kate Kucera is a scientist, hockey mom, teacher of the upper elementary class and serves on the board of directors. Kate grew up in Děčín, Czech Republic, in a small house with a big yard full of vegetable beds and fruit trees. A daughter of two teachers, she has always been close to children and education. She studied at Střední Pedagogická Škola in Ústí nad Labem and at Charles University in Prague. She moved to the United States in 1998 and married a third-generation Czech-American with a last name more Czech than her own. She holds a degree in Genetics & Genomics from Duke University and works for a biotech startup company that develops precision medicine technologies and analytics. Kate, her husband Jon, and two sons live in Chapel Hill.
Kate Kucera is a scientist, hockey mom, teacher of the upper elementary class and serves on the board of directors. Kate grew up in Děčín, Czech Republic, in a small house with a big yard full of vegetable beds and fruit trees. A daughter of two teachers, she has always been close to children and education. She studied at Střední Pedagogická Škola in Ústí nad Labem and at Charles University in Prague. She moved to the United States in 1998 and married a third-generation Czech-American with a last name more Czech than her own. She holds a degree in Genetics & Genomics from Duke University and works for a biotech startup company that develops precision medicine technologies and analytics. Kate, her husband Jon, and two sons live in Chapel Hill.
Substitute Teacher
Jana Olecka was born and raised in Silesia, a region in Northern Moravia near Opava that is small but rich in history and culture. She is very proud of her heritage and takes every opportunity to visit with her family. Her mother and both grandmothers were teachers so Jana knew from an early age she would also love to work with children. Jana worked as an Elementary School teacher in the Czech Republic and later, when she moved to the US with her husband in 2003, she worked as an ABA therapist for children with autism. Jana loves to spend time with her two children and teach them as much as she can about the world around them. She loves all things outdoors -- hiking, camping, exploring.
Jana Olecka was born and raised in Silesia, a region in Northern Moravia near Opava that is small but rich in history and culture. She is very proud of her heritage and takes every opportunity to visit with her family. Her mother and both grandmothers were teachers so Jana knew from an early age she would also love to work with children. Jana worked as an Elementary School teacher in the Czech Republic and later, when she moved to the US with her husband in 2003, she worked as an ABA therapist for children with autism. Jana loves to spend time with her two children and teach them as much as she can about the world around them. She loves all things outdoors -- hiking, camping, exploring.
Preschool Class (ages 2 - 5)
Hana Pletichova was born in Kladno to a family of 2 teachers. Her father started teaching her English at an early age. Hana, as well as her husband Josef Pleticha, were both high school exchange students in the US and kept coming back ever since. Hana earned her Master’s Degree in International Relations - Diplomacy from the University of Economics in Prague. In 2011, Josef graduated from medical school in Prague and they moved to the US. After living in Rochester, Minnesota, and Boston, they relocated to North Carolina in 2016 for Josef’s anesthesiology residency at Duke University Hospital. They have 3 children and speak only Czech at home. Hana is a passionate salsa dancer, enjoys playing the piano, hiking, traveling, and being around children of all ages, especially the youngest ones.
Hana Pletichova was born in Kladno to a family of 2 teachers. Her father started teaching her English at an early age. Hana, as well as her husband Josef Pleticha, were both high school exchange students in the US and kept coming back ever since. Hana earned her Master’s Degree in International Relations - Diplomacy from the University of Economics in Prague. In 2011, Josef graduated from medical school in Prague and they moved to the US. After living in Rochester, Minnesota, and Boston, they relocated to North Carolina in 2016 for Josef’s anesthesiology residency at Duke University Hospital. They have 3 children and speak only Czech at home. Hana is a passionate salsa dancer, enjoys playing the piano, hiking, traveling, and being around children of all ages, especially the youngest ones.
Preschool Class (ages 2 - 5)
Jitka Kašpárková was born in Uherské Hradiště, and grew up in Nivnice. After attending from a School of Applied Arts where she majored in painting, she moved to North Carolina to study architecture. She graduated from the NC State University College of Design in 2009. Currently, she works for Hale Architecture and is preparing for her AIA exam to become a registered architect. She lives in Cary with her family, and loves reading Czech books with her eight year old son.
Jitka Kašpárková was born in Uherské Hradiště, and grew up in Nivnice. After attending from a School of Applied Arts where she majored in painting, she moved to North Carolina to study architecture. She graduated from the NC State University College of Design in 2009. Currently, she works for Hale Architecture and is preparing for her AIA exam to become a registered architect. She lives in Cary with her family, and loves reading Czech books with her eight year old son.
Slovak Teachers:
Preschool Class (2 - 5 years old) / Slovak for Adults
Ludmila (Milka) Štefánová was born in Velke Kapusany in eastern Slovakia, but lived most of her life in Michalovce. Her early educational training focused on teaching, with an emphasis on young children, and she later specialized in working with children experiencing communication difficulties. During her 30+ years teaching, she worked with kids of all ages, but mostly with kindergarteners. She served in many roles, from helping children one-on-one to correct speech problems, to being a school principal. Working with children is her passion. Milka has two children, and currently lives in Chapel Hill with her daughter and son-in-law. In her spare time, she likes to paint, swim, learn new things, and practice yoga. She is also a certified yoga instructor.
Ludmila (Milka) Štefánová was born in Velke Kapusany in eastern Slovakia, but lived most of her life in Michalovce. Her early educational training focused on teaching, with an emphasis on young children, and she later specialized in working with children experiencing communication difficulties. During her 30+ years teaching, she worked with kids of all ages, but mostly with kindergarteners. She served in many roles, from helping children one-on-one to correct speech problems, to being a school principal. Working with children is her passion. Milka has two children, and currently lives in Chapel Hill with her daughter and son-in-law. In her spare time, she likes to paint, swim, learn new things, and practice yoga. She is also a certified yoga instructor.
Lower Elementary Class (6 - 8 years old) / Slovak for Adults
Lenka Lamb is from Kosice in the Slovak Republic. She graduated from Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences with a Master's degree in Biology and Geography Education. She is married, has a son, and has been living in the US since 2010. She likes reading, hiking, traveling and spending time with children.
Lenka Lamb is from Kosice in the Slovak Republic. She graduated from Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Natural Sciences with a Master's degree in Biology and Geography Education. She is married, has a son, and has been living in the US since 2010. She likes reading, hiking, traveling and spending time with children.
Upper Elementary Class (9+ years old)
Maria Duroskova was born in Kezmarok in northeast Slovakia. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Geography from University of Skalica, Slovakia. Maria moved to the US in 2015. She has extensive experience with children of different ages and cultural backgrounds as she worked as a nanny in England, the Netherlands, and the US. Before relocating to the US, she worked as a Technical Analyst for Lenovo. For many years, she performed on stage, singing at weddings and various other cultural events and social gatherings. Maria is also a certified Pilates trainer. In her free time, Maria likes to write lyrics and novels. She likes outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, running, and Pilates.
Maria Duroskova was born in Kezmarok in northeast Slovakia. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Geography from University of Skalica, Slovakia. Maria moved to the US in 2015. She has extensive experience with children of different ages and cultural backgrounds as she worked as a nanny in England, the Netherlands, and the US. Before relocating to the US, she worked as a Technical Analyst for Lenovo. For many years, she performed on stage, singing at weddings and various other cultural events and social gatherings. Maria is also a certified Pilates trainer. In her free time, Maria likes to write lyrics and novels. She likes outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, running, and Pilates.
SLOVAK classes for ADULTS
Ing. Dominika Turner is from Oravská Jasenica, a small village in northern Slovakia. She received her MA degree in accounting and auditing from the University of Economics in Bratislava. Dominika is a certified real estate agent currently serving as a property manager with T Realty and Management. Dominika has experience teaching English to preschool children in Slovakia and she is a proud mother of two bilingual children. Dominika has served as an instructor at the Czech and Slovak School of NC since 2015; first in the lower elementary class and during the past two years in the class for adults.
Ing. Dominika Turner is from Oravská Jasenica, a small village in northern Slovakia. She received her MA degree in accounting and auditing from the University of Economics in Bratislava. Dominika is a certified real estate agent currently serving as a property manager with T Realty and Management. Dominika has experience teaching English to preschool children in Slovakia and she is a proud mother of two bilingual children. Dominika has served as an instructor at the Czech and Slovak School of NC since 2015; first in the lower elementary class and during the past two years in the class for adults.
Past Teachers
Past Czech Teachers:
Kateřina Solařová
Kateřina was born and raised in Prague. She received her MBA degree at SUNY New Paltz. Kateřina moved to the United States in 2011 with her family and currently works as a global product marketing manager for a computer company. Kateřina has two children and loves spending time with them. In the future, she would like to focus on education of young children. Kateřina’s hobbies include volleyball, zumba, and traveling.
Kateřina was born and raised in Prague. She received her MBA degree at SUNY New Paltz. Kateřina moved to the United States in 2011 with her family and currently works as a global product marketing manager for a computer company. Kateřina has two children and loves spending time with them. In the future, she would like to focus on education of young children. Kateřina’s hobbies include volleyball, zumba, and traveling.
Mirka Christesen
Mirka is a graduate of English and Russian from Charles University in Prague. After working shortly as a reporter/editor for Radio Prague, she married an American opera singer, Robert C. Christesen. They lived in Germany where Mirka worked as an English and Russian middle, high school, and college teacher. After relocating to the USA in 1985, Mirka taught English and worked as an Academically Gifted Coordinator at several middle and high schools in Raleigh and Apex. She was named 1996 Wake County and North Carolina Academically Gifted Teacher of the Year, 2000 Wake Forest Rotary Humanitarian of the Year, and 2001 NC Middle School Character Educator of the Year. She has a daughter and two grandchildren and she authored two books, Character Kaleidoscope and If School Desks Could Speak.
Mirka is a graduate of English and Russian from Charles University in Prague. After working shortly as a reporter/editor for Radio Prague, she married an American opera singer, Robert C. Christesen. They lived in Germany where Mirka worked as an English and Russian middle, high school, and college teacher. After relocating to the USA in 1985, Mirka taught English and worked as an Academically Gifted Coordinator at several middle and high schools in Raleigh and Apex. She was named 1996 Wake County and North Carolina Academically Gifted Teacher of the Year, 2000 Wake Forest Rotary Humanitarian of the Year, and 2001 NC Middle School Character Educator of the Year. She has a daughter and two grandchildren and she authored two books, Character Kaleidoscope and If School Desks Could Speak.
Adela Deanova
Adela led the adult Czech class and helped to develop the adult curriculum. Born and raised in Prague, Adela moved with her parents to the US where she completed high school and a college degree in Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She then moved to London, where she completed her masters degree and worked in the leadership consulting industry for nearly 10 years. Adela returned to the US in 2009 to complete a PhD in philosophy at Duke University. As part of her graduate career, she has taught a variety of undergraduate courses, as well as an introductory Czech language course at UNC Chapel Hill. Adela's hobbies are sci-fi, tennis, Ashtanga yoga, dancing, and traveling. She does not take sides in the Duke-UNC basketball rivalry, and is much happier watching some good old Czech hockey!
Adela led the adult Czech class and helped to develop the adult curriculum. Born and raised in Prague, Adela moved with her parents to the US where she completed high school and a college degree in Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She then moved to London, where she completed her masters degree and worked in the leadership consulting industry for nearly 10 years. Adela returned to the US in 2009 to complete a PhD in philosophy at Duke University. As part of her graduate career, she has taught a variety of undergraduate courses, as well as an introductory Czech language course at UNC Chapel Hill. Adela's hobbies are sci-fi, tennis, Ashtanga yoga, dancing, and traveling. She does not take sides in the Duke-UNC basketball rivalry, and is much happier watching some good old Czech hockey!
Martina Fischerová
Marina is a trained middle school teacher. She grew up in a village called Velké Karlovice in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, close to the border with Slovakia. Martina graduated from a teacher preparation program at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University in Brno. In the Czech Republic, she worked as an assistant teacher and a private tutor offering remedial classes. Martina has lived in Raleigh, NC with her husband since June 2015. Martina likes to spend her free time walking her dog, playing guitar, hiking, reading, and cooking.
Marina is a trained middle school teacher. She grew up in a village called Velké Karlovice in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, close to the border with Slovakia. Martina graduated from a teacher preparation program at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University in Brno. In the Czech Republic, she worked as an assistant teacher and a private tutor offering remedial classes. Martina has lived in Raleigh, NC with her husband since June 2015. Martina likes to spend her free time walking her dog, playing guitar, hiking, reading, and cooking.
Past Slovak Teacher:
Anna Pecha was born in Bojnice, Slovak Republic, and spent 5 years in London in her 20s. She moved to the USA in 2008 and lived in Pensylvania where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management from Muhlenberg College. She currently resides in Durham, NC, and works as a sales manager for a major biotech company. She taught English to children and adults in Slovakia privately. In her free time she loves to travel to different places around the world, visit her family in Slovakia and spend time outdoors.