TEACHERS
KATEŘINA HARMANING, MA
DIRECTOR
I am a mother of two bilingual children. In my free time, I like to garden and bake sweet treats.
I learned English at secondary school in Prague and also in the US army. I founded a Czech preschool for Czech children living in Seattle. More recently, I coordinated an English-learning program for non-native speakers at an international school in Prague. My greatest professional joy is to support others in their personal growth, whether they are 5 or 50 years old.
I am excited that The Wholehearted School is a place where children can grow through success and where teachers can teach the way they know best.
AMY FUNKA, BS
TEACHER
I am originally from the US but have been living for eight years with my husband in Prague. I like to cook and eat spicy food. I like to go on walks, especially to castle ruins.
In university I studied mathematics and education. I especially like to help individuals on their path of learning. For a while, I ran a tutoring center in the US. Here in Prague I have supported pupils with learning disabilities at an international school.
At the Wholehearted School I am happy to watch the growth of the children, both personally and in cooperation with their peers.
ŠTĚPÁNKA URBÁNKOVÁ, DVM
TEACHER
I am the mother of two children who inspired me to leave veterinary medicine and go into teaching. I get refreshment from walks through nature. I enjoy playing with language–writing poems, translating songs and thinking up stories.
For two years I worked at a Montessori playroom. I have completed the course Teacher Effectiveness Training and the graduate program Teach Live.
At the Wholehearted School I enjoy being part of a team of teachers who like each other, want to work together closely, and have a common love for children, teaching, and God.
JANA ERNYEIOVÁ, MA, PhD
TEACHER
I am a mother of three children. In my free time I enjoy walks in the mountains, playing musical instruments, sewing and reading.
I have led Scouts groups, taught mathematics and German at a Christian secondary school, and completed internships at schools in England and Germany. For six years I have homeschooled our children.
At the Wholehearted School, I enjoy seeing children developing their gifts, learning to cooperate, and knowing that they are an important part of our community.
ROMANA PAVLÍNOVÁ, MA
TEACHER
I enjoy discovering new things and pondering about life. I like peace and quiet. I enjoy creating spaces that feel comfortable. I am the mother of four adult children. My husband, dog and cats live with me in a village on the edge of Prague.
My educational background is in chemistry and education. Through years of guiding and teaching children of various ages, I have gained much experience.
The Wholehearted School is dear to my heart, because I have been longing for just such a school since I was in my twenties… a school where children and teachers will be well and where God will come first.
ELIŠKA OTTOVÁ, MA
TEACHER
I have a wonderful husband and a young daughter with whom I have spent all of my free time since she was born. I like to go for walks in nature, take trips, sing, dance and play board games.
For several years I went with a team to an orphanage where we organized a whole day of activities for the children. I have been a counselor at camp. For more than five years, I taught recorder. My degree is in early grades education, and I have worked as an assistant in several schools.
In this school I am enjoying creating together a new family, where we explore and grow together in our knowledge of ourselves, each other and the world around us.
FOUNDERS
DANA KOUTECKÁ, BA
It occurred to me once that I could count just how many hours children spend at school during their years of compulsory schooling. The number surprised me. 10,000 hours! What would I do with that much time? I would like to spend it with people I like. I would like to do something with those hours that is meaningful. I would like to learn something new. . . . . And why shouldn’t children experience all this in school, with those 10,000 hours they are obliged to spend there?
And so an idea got born in my head: “What about founding a school like this?” I had some experience in starting a school from previous employment. My husband Martin had experience leading a team. Little by little more people joined us who felt that our vision for a school made sense.
MARTIN KOUTECKÝ, MS, PhD
I work as a teacher at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. I like to relax by reading random articles in English on Wikipedia. When I was in seventh grade my parents told me that I could have unlimited access to the computer as long as nothing less than a B showed up on my report card. So I got all Bs, because that was good enough. My wish for the children I know is that school would be more than just doing the minimum to get by.
My wish for the pupils at The Wholehearted School is that they would experience excitement from learning new things, that they would develop their talents, and also that they would taste the joy of working together and solving problems.