A few weeks before the deadline for Teach For Bulgaria’s program A New Way to Teaching, we’d like to introduce you to three of our new participants who are going to meet their students in September.

They are among the first applicants to join our program this year and they are about to start their preliminary training and find out where they’re going to teach in the fall. 

It’s not too late for you to join Diana, Petya, and Plamena and become part of the 12th class of program participants.

Diana Dimcheva: We Can All Be Agents of Change

Why did you choose Teach For Bulgaria’s program A New Way to Teaching?

The truth is that this is the second time I’ve applied for the program. I was rejected after the second round of the selection process last time, but fortunately, I made it this time and I’m happy to be in the program.

I had my own aerobic gymnastics club in the town of Samokov, but after the second lockdown during the pandemic everything changed. I had to choose whether to close my club or sell the business. I chose to sell, but this whole situation made me think. I came to two conclusions: I had to find a stable job in order to support my family and I wanted to keep working with children.

Looking back, I am happy. I really needed this change – change of scenery, change of careers… The pandemic opened new horizons for my personal development. And this is how I got here.  

I like Teach For Bulgaria’s cause because I, myself, have reached the same conclusions about equal access to education and the lack thereof, besides one of my childhood dreams was to be a coach and a teacher.

I think of this program as an opportunity, a new challenge, and a personal cause. We can all be agents of change and I’d be very happy if I had the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of Bulgarian education. 

What do you expect from the next two years as a teacher?

I expect to grow professionally, to learn many new things and different practices, gain knowledge, and most of all – I expect to have the opportunity to work with my wonderful future students. I am excited that I’ll have the chance to help them discover their potential, motivate them to grow, and show them how great it is to dream, even greater – to make your dreams come true. 

I believe that every child has a talent waiting to be discovered. It is important for children to believe that they are building their own future and that if they work hard and not give up, sooner or later they will accomplish their goals, regardless of how hard it may be or where we come from (poverty, different ethnicity, different religion, uneducated parents, etc.).

What kind of education do students need in order to be successful and happy?

I, personally, believe that every child needs to be educated, simply educated. I think children should have common sense, common knowledge, I think we should provoke their curiosity, teach them how to think and solve problems. We should also teach them not to be afraid to make mistakes and to persevere, despite any mistakes or failures. 

I, personally, would make the curriculum more practical and less theoretical. I would employ a lot of learning-by-doing techniques and make the learning process student-centered. The standard way of teaching where all students sit quietly and don’t ask questions while the teacher is lecturing them is obsolete.

I think our job as teachers is to provoke students’ interest towards the unknown. My goal is not to be a teacher who makes them study, but to be a facilitator who jost shows them the way and nudges them in the right direction when necessary. I want my students to be able to trust me and ask for help and not be afraid if they haven’t been able to do a task correctly. 

Children need good teachers to set a good example and stimulate them to grow. As far as education is concerned, things go hand in hand. If you trust and like your teacher, you strive to be the best in order to impress your teacher and demonstrate how much you’ve learned, how much you can accomplish, etc.

Petya Popova: I Will Do My Best to Help My Students Learn and Grow

Why did you choose Teach For Bulgaria’s program A New Way to Teaching?

Although I have a degree in teaching, I believe that there is still a lot I can learn from Teach For Bulgaria’s community in order to set a good example for the children.

I am going to learn many new methods and forms of support. I will get to know a new environment and I’ll have access to opportunities which are not only going to help me be successful, but they will also enable me to help my students. 

I truly believe in Teach For Bulgaria’s cause and I look forward to this new adventure.

What do you expect from the next two years as a teacher?

I expect the next two years to be tough and challenging. After all, every new beginning is like this. I will do my best to help my students learn and grow in a positive, supportive, and stimulating environment.

I want to help them and be part of their lives. I want to set a good example for them because young students usually see their teachers as flawless role models who can do no wrong. I hope I’ll be able to do that and help them become good successful people.

What kind of education do students need in order to be successful and happy?

In my opinion, the most important thing is to create a positive learning environment. In order for them to be successful and happy, children need to know that someone believes in them and supports them. If we manage to create this type of environment, success is inevitable. 

Games are another important factor. Learning can be challenging and even boring for students, but as soon as we present the new material as a game, things change. There are so many interesting platforms for gamification now and I think this makes our job a lot easier.

Plamena Panteleeva: I Expect that We’ll Learn from Each Other

Why did you choose Teach For Bulgaria’s program A New Way to Teaching?

I applied as soon as I found out about the program. I instantly felt like I belonged here and that I just had to be a part of this. Now, as a participant, I have the opportunity to learn new things, gain new knowledge, and develop my skills in order to be as effective as possible. Teach For Bulgaria’s community is a great place where you can give and receive support in the name of a better future for our children.

What do you expect from the next two years as a teacher?

I can’t wait to meet the children, to overcome the limitations of their thinking, and to show them that they can accomplish anything, if they are brave enough to dream. I don’t want to be just a teacher, I want to inspire them. There will be many challenges as I gain experience and develop my skills. I expect that we’ll learn from each other and that it will be very interesting. 

What kind of education do students need in order to be successful and happy?

They need accessible education. They need to know the purpose of education – why they go to school every day and why it is important for them to know and do things. 

As teachers we need to provoke their interests, gain their trust, and spark their ambition. I believe that with the right approach we’ll raise smart and happy students. They hold their future and our future in their hands, so let’s prepare them to be strong and sensible, so we can be proud and confident. 

We are still accepting applications! It’s not too late to join Diana, Petya, and Plamena.

Apply here by March 25!