Hello there!
I’m currently a full-time high school/middle school teacher of the most complex and thrilling subjects of Biology and Geography at a prestigious bilingual Nový PORG school in Prague (one of the best schools in the world in IB – International Baccalaureate). By teaching every day in this inspiring environment, I gradually hone my newbie teaching skills (yes, there is much to learn – especially by making many mistakes). I’m slowly but surely advancing in formative assessment and responsive teaching while trying to support talented kids in biology by leading clubs, organizing Biology olympiad, and leading field excursions. My first „proper“ teacher’s footsteps led me to another amazing high school, Gymnázium Botičská. I learned a thing or two about teaching and got more confident while educating ambitious students, preparing them for science and medical universities, where the majority of them headed.
All that wouldn’t be possible without finishing my master’s at the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague, my alma mater. I tried to be as active as possible there, joining plenty of projects throughout the studies (volunteering, preparing tasks for the Czech Geography Olympiad, working for the Department of Biology Didactics…). To gain international experience, I stepped out of my comfort zone and studied for a semester at the University of Tartu in Estonia. Not only did I meet inspiring and friendly people there, but I also fell in love with this small but enticing Baltic country. Furthermore, it also helped me to teach in English nowadays (big fan and avid continuous learner!)
Another chapter of my journey was written by my experience in EGEA (European Geography Association for Students). I am thankful for all the networking, life-long friendships, and soft and hard skills I learned there (ranging from GIS skills to public speaking). Additionally, in 2020/21, I became a coordinator of a Training Team (a body of EGEA focused on soft skills development and provision of various such trainings to its members). Together with a team of more than capable people, we taught geography peers how to speak in public, lead trainings and workshops, teach about Geography in a meaningful way, etc. I also devoted my time to becoming a certified Junior Trainer.
As my life revolves around biology, many years ago, I joined a group of like-minded people to be a part of a great summer camp for the kids competing in Biology and Chemistry Olympiads. I shared my enthusiasm for (not only) botany with many talented prospective biology students over more than five years.
Currently, together with my friend, I also try to spread plant awareness to a broader audience on our Instagram page called Botanizuj! (Botanize!). We fight against plant blindness by showing people the uniqueness, diversity, and intriguing evolutionary/ecological stories that surround them (easier said than done, when plants, unlike their animal counterparts, usually move merely by wind in front of our camera lens!). Check it out!
If you prefer even more in-depth content, with my master’s thesis advisor and botany co-workers, we wrote two popularizing articles about my (ever since beloved) study organism Dianthus carthusianorum (hvozdík kartouzek; Carthusian pink) and its fungal parasite: an anther smut Microbotryum, which castrates it and rendering it a „zombie plant“. The data gathered for my master’s thesis were also used in this sophisticated paper, uncovering the secrets of plant-pathogen-animal interactions!
What about more personal stuff?
- I love hiking and exploring new places in both Czechia and abroad! Usually accompanied by my camera, I’m seeking new organisms (botanizing everywhere) and views. Explore some of my best plant catches in the gallery. Sometimes I just relish long-distance walking, savouring the freedom and nature without any artificial distractions.
- At any point, I enjoy a good cup of loose-leaf tea (especially Japanese green teas). And yes, I measure the temperature of water with a fancy tea thermometer 🙂
- I like a good challenge, so together with my brother and friends, we underwent some pretty cool bicycle trips (passing through whole Slovakia in a week, going around Czechia – in three stages…).
- Nowadays, I devote part of my free time to badminton. It makes me enjoy the present moment and keep myself humble as I’m miles away from being advanced, and I’m always (re)learning new techniques. If you haven’t tried this fast-paced, dynamic, and technically demanding game, you should give it a try!
- I like Star Wars (of course, the most emblematic prequel episodes!) as you most likely guessed straight away. So may the Force be with you!