Maria is the Teacher Support Coordinator during their second year in Teach for Bulgaria’s A New Way to Teaching Program. She has been at this position since 2018, and before that she was a participant in the program and an arts and music teacher of students from grades V to VIII and a pedagogical adviser at St. St. Cyril and Methodius School, Vratsa, for two years.

Maria believes that students have the power to change the world around them with guidance, support and faith. Every child needs quality education and access to opportunities, in order to dream and fulfill himself or herself.

In parallel with her work at Teach for Bulgaria, Maria continues to be a part of Sabitieto, an initiative she launched with colleagues from the North-West Region in 2017 to develop the 21^st century skills among students through various extracurricular trainings and events.

Maria is a fine arts teacher with a Bachelor’s degree from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. Before becoming a part of the program, she worked in the non-governmental sector in organizations with a focus on education. She was also an art therapist in a social center.