Our teachers
Merve Alemdar
Merve Alemdar
Biology, Physics
Merve obtained a bachelor's degree in physics from Istanbul University and a master's degree in physics education. Since 2014, she has had the honor of teaching physics within the IB program, and she is deeply committed to making this subject engaging for her students. Apart from teaching, her profound interest in the underwater world led her to become an advanced diver in the depths of the water, allowing her to explore the secrets of the underwater environment.
Kristýna Ayrer
Kristýna Ayrer
Geography
Kristýna graduated in sociology, economics, and management from Masaryk University. Subsequently, she decided to complete her pedagogical qualifications, and after her maternity leave, she started working at Duhovka. At Duhovka, she values the friendly and inspiring environment, where everyone can freely express their opinions, and students and teachers support each other. She is fascinated by the diversity of different life stories and perspectives on the world that she encounters there.
Mark Edward Bathe
Mark Edward Bathe
English, History
native speaker
English Skills Development, History and Geography teacher
Mark graduated from the University of Toronto in 1996 with a BA in History and the Humanities. He travelled to the Czech Republic in 2003 on a backpacking trip with his wife Kavita and they liked it so much that they haven’t left. Mark has taught English, History and Geography in Czech state schools since 2005. First, in South Bohemia where he lived until 2013 and most recently at PORG Liben. He is the proud father of two lovely girls.
Keith Berry
Keith Berry
English language teacher, native speaker
IB coordinator
English language teacher, native speaker
Keith graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast and went travelling. While living in China he taught language and cultural relations at a university for teachers. It was here he discovered his love of teaching. He moved to Prague in 2005 and has been teaching English as a foreign language here since then. He spent a lot of his teaching life in the British Council and Jan Kepler Grammar School and thoroughly enjoys interacting with school children of all ages. He spends his free time with his children, as well as running and playing football and rugby.
Eliška Blažejová
Eliška Blažejová
English language teacher
Teacher of English language and aesthetic education - physical theatre
Born in Prague, Eliška grew up in an international community and is, therefore, a huge fan of bilingual education. She has experienced the British system first-hand both as a student and an educator and has joined the Duhovka team after seven years of working at the Prague British School. Apart from English and social sciences, she has also studied methodology of teaching dance and led a variety of courses for children as well as adults. Physical activity and theatre are definitely Eliška's lifelong interests – besides dance, she loves all kinds of martial arts, acrobatics, street workout or skydiving and stunt work. And despite giving the impression that she won't sit still, she can be very happy at a poker table or playing board games.
Tyler Bush
Tyler Bush
English, Music, native speaker
4A's form teacher
English language and esthetic education of music teacher, native speaker
Tyler graduated from The University of California Santa Cruz in 2010 with a degree in music. He moved to Prague in 2013 and fell in love with the cultural atmosphere of the city. He has played in jazz, blues, and rock bands, as well as given performances on classical guitar. He enjoys attending concerts at Rudolfinum and writing his own music. When not playing music, Tyler can be found reading classic novels, skateboarding, or downhill mountain biking. He combines his passion for literature and music an English teacher and music teacher at Duhovka.
E-mail: tyler.bush@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Brian Callaghan
Brian Callaghan
English Language, Film and Drama
native speaker
English Language Teacher, Film Teacher, Drama Teacher
Brian Joseph Callaghan studied Classical Literature and Theater at Saint Joseph's College, New York. He has completed a three-year Montessori Teaching Program in Prague, and in 2021, he completed stage 1 of IB Drama. When not teaching, Brian writes and performs stand-up comedy and is the Artistic Director of the Prague-based theater troupe, the Prague Harman Street Players.
Martina Coufalová
Martina Coufalová
Mathematics, Physics
3A's form teacher
Mathematics, Physics and Informatics teacher
Martina graduated at the pedagogical faculty of Univerzity in Hradec Králové, specialization in Mathematics and Physics. She has been teaching Mathematics and Physics, IT at the 2nd grade at a elementary school in Mladá Boleslav since she finished the University. She has visited the European School in Lucemburk to get some new experience and she has attended Science teaching course. She is a volleyball coach and she likes flying, archery, reading books and she loves lots of kinds of sports.
Jaroslava Černohlávková
Jaroslava Černohlávková
German language
Jaroslava spent most of her life in German-speaking countries, where she studied art history, philosophy, and the history of science and technology at the University of Stuttgart. She later obtained degrees in German studies, pedagogy, and Slavic studies at the University of Erlangen. Her teaching career began at universities in German-speaking countries and later in the Czech Republic, where she specialized in foreign language didactics, communication, German studies, and pedagogy. At international schools, specifically EISP and ISP, she taught IB German A and B courses.
Alena Černochová
Alena Černochová
deputy director, pastoral care
Biology, Geography + 1A's form teacher
Alena graduated in biology and geography from the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and exploring new places, practicing yoga, watching movies and doing graphic design.
Adéla Drobečková
Adéla Drobečková
Czech language
7B's form teacher
Adéla graduated from the Faculty of Education at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, with a focus on teaching Czech language and literature, as well as History. In the summer of 2012, she completed in Ohio an AMI Montessori course specialized in adolescents and actively contributed to the implementation of Montessori education at a high school. Currently, she teaches Czech language and literature.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the theater, engaging in sports, traveling, and spending time with friends.
Otto Joseph Esterle
Otto Joseph Esterle
English Language, Film and Drama
native speaker
Otto has 10+ years experience teaching English Language and Literature. He has a Master of Education, a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, and is licensed from the State of Oregon since 2007. He's taught English Language and Literature, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate in the US, Germany, Kuwait, and now Czech Republic.
E-mail: otto.esterle@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Klára Fillová
Klára Fillová
Civics and 4Life
1B's form teacher
Klára graduated in English and history from the Faculty of Education at Masaryk University. For most of her professional life, she has been involved in human resources, particularly in the areas of development and education. She is a lifelong learner herself, with a keen interest in psychology. Klára spends her free time with her children, trying to steer them away from tablets with activities like cycling, skiing, rock climbing, and more. Klára's lifelong passion is the mountains.
Andrew Gardiner
Andrew Gardiner
English, History, Geography
After graduating in history from Durham University, Andrew pursued a music career in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He ran his own D.I.Y. label, promoted live shows, and operated a recording studio and a music rehearsal space. This allowed him to work as a music producer and sound engineer, assisting artists and bands from various music genres in capturing their music on tape. After nearly ten years in this profession, Andrew moved to London to retrain as an English teacher. Following three years of teaching in the capital city, he relocated to Prague to study for a teaching diploma, which gave him the opportunity to train new teachers entering the field. Andrew hails from Portrush in Northern Ireland and continues to have an interest in live music, the natural world, and the living history that surrounds us every day.
Petr Gazdík
Petr Gazdík
director
Geography, 5B's form teacher
E-mail: petr.gazdik@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Raúl González Silva
Raúl González Silva
IB Mathematics
Raúl studied mathematics at UNAM in Mexico and obtained bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Subsequently, he worked in a postdoctoral position at Charles University in the Czech Republic. He has been dedicated to teaching mathematics at the university level for approximately 12 years, with a focus on mathematics, physics, and computer science. He also led the course "Qualitative Methods" as part of the MBA program. He collaborated with various students with diverse interests, including mathematicians, physicists, economists, and lawyers. This experience led him to adopt an individualized approach to teaching, tailored to the needs and interests of each student. At Duhovka School, he values the excellent school environment created by students' behavior, their willingness to collaborate, the professional and friendly approach of teachers, and the dedication of staff.
Jan Efraim Hladík
Jan Efraim Hladík
Biology, Geography
4B's form teacher
Jan comes from Jesenice near Prague, from a family of teachers. When he was a child, he fell in love with hiking and since then he admires nature. He graduated from Jan Patočka High School in the center of Prague. The school focuses on philosophy and love of philosophy has been accompanying Jan throughout his whole life. His desire to combine philosophy and nature brought him to Palacký University in Olomouc where he studied Earth Sciences with focus on paleontology at the Faculty of Science. Nature and further education became his hobbies. He is also fond of adventures and that is why he has been paddling since he was a child. With his club, he has visited rivers in France, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Croatia. He likes to read, write short stories, play games, and watch films and TV series.
E-mail: jan.hladik@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Ellina Horalíková
Ellina Horalíková
English and Russian language
Even though she was born half a century ago about 5,000 km far from Prague, she feels at home in the Czech Republic for many years. From an early age she went to school studying majority of humanities in English. After graduating, she was studying History at the University of Minsk for three years, and then she graduated in History from the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague. Later she graduated in English Language Teaching from University of Pardubice. She has more than twenty years ́ experience in teaching English at high school (gymnázium), at the College, at the economic fields at Czech Technical University, in various courses for children and adults as well as the students with special educational needs. Methodological courses at universities in England helped her gain insight in the subject of ELT, friends from different countries and much more teaching experience. In addition, besides she is keen on travelling (she has already been to various locations in 18 countries in the world), she fancies another special hobby which also became her profession for several successful years - she is able to design projects and bring them to life as a Grant Specialist.
Jan Hrabec
Jan Hrabec
Mathematics
Honza graduated from the Mathematical Institute in Opava. He is happily married and has three young children. He enjoys sports and swims in icy water. Every week, he goes among homeless people and helps them. He also dances modern and classical dances with friends.
E-mail: jan.hrabec@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Lukáš Chytrý
Lukáš Chytrý
English language and Social science
Lukáš comes from Prague, where he studied a double major in English Philology - American Studies in combination with Political Science at Charles University's Faculty of Arts (FF UK). Subsequently, he completed his pedagogical qualifications for secondary schools. After finishing his studies, he started teaching English and social science subjects at an IB school in the Central Bohemian Region. Besides teaching, Lukáš enjoys participating in team sports and music. He has two young children who always recharge him with energy.
E-mail: lukas.chytry@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Ondřej Janeček
Ondřej Janeček
Czech and Spanish language
8B's form teacher
Ondřej graduated from the Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, with a degree in Czech and Spanish. He also has a long-term interest in Czech as a foreign language. At our school, he teachers Czech and Spanish and is in charge of the library.
Ondřej Kopáček
Ondřej Kopáček
Czech language and History
8A's form teacher
Ondřej grafuated from the Faculty of Education at the South Bohemian University in České Budějovice in the study programme Czech Language and History for Secondary Education. Between the years 2007 – 2014, he worked as a teacher at Gymnázium Příbram. In his free time, he likes sports, travelling, reading and going to the cinema or theatre.
Ondřej Kounovský
Ondřej Kounovský
Physical education
Ondřej studied PE and Sports at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, and specialized in coaching. At the same university, he also got a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy and a doctoral degree. Outside of school, he is coaches of top athletes and introduces individual training into team sports. In his free time, he does sports and improves his own training. When he is not doing sports, he likes to read a good book or travel around the Czech Republic or abroad.
Markéta Králíčková
Markéta Králíčková
Czech and German language
6B's form teacher
She graduated from Faculties of Arts of Universities in Ostrava and Brno. Doctor’s degree in history of education she defended successfully at the Faculty of Art of the Charles University. She worked in the National museum of education of J.A. Komensky and she also taught at a primary school for several years. She teaches Czech language and history at Gymnasium Duhovka, she is a class teacher at the same time.
Tereza Křivohlavá
Tereza Křivohlavá
Biology and Natural Science
Tereza studied at the Faculty of Science at Charles University, where she focused on biology and chemistry with a specialization in education. Her academic journey at the Faculty of Science included not only theoretical teaching activities but also participation in practical exercises and natural science excursions accompanied by recognized experts. She plans to pass on these valuable experiences and knowledge to her students in Duhovce. Additionally, she had the opportunity to study at the University of Oulu in Finland for six months, enriching her with a new perspective on education thanks to the Finnish education system, which is among the best in the world.
From an early age, she has been dedicated to nature trips, leading her to prioritize nature. She is interested in imparting her love for nature to her students and cultivating in them the same respect for the environment.
Tomáš Kučera
Tomáš Kučera
deputy director,
German, Social studies, Economics + 5A's form teacher
Tomas graduated from the University of Economics in Prague, discipline International economic relations, and now he studies the Education of economical subjects. In 2013 he completed a diploma Montessori course for children from 12 to 16 years (Sekundarstufenkurs) at the Institute of holistic learning in Tegernsee and Potsdam in Germany. At Gymnasium Duhovka he is a member of school management, teaches German language, financial literacy and economics, he manages the school websites and he is a class teacher.
E-mail: tomas.kucera@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Radka Nedbalová
Radka Nedbalová
Geography
Preventionist, ICT coordinator
Radka comes from Vysočina but she spent her university years in Pilsen. Here she studied two programs: geography and social sciences pedagogy, and Middle East studies. During her studies she taught English and worked as an editor for an educational website. After completing her degrees she moved to Prague to fully focus on her dream – to be a teacher. She is interested in involving technology and effective use of tablets in class. She passes this knowledge on to other teachers at seminars of Masaryk University. Radka enjoys travelling and she spends her free time by playing the viola in the Prague Film Orchestra.
Lenka Nedvědová
Lenka Nedvědová
Czech language and literature, esthetic education of art
7A's form teacher
Lenka graduated from the Faculty of Education of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, disciplines Czech language and Music. At gymnasium Duhovka she teaches Czech language and literature, art and education for life. In 2012 she completed a course the AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies in Ohio and she became a certified Montessori teacher for students from 12 to 18 years.
Zuzana Pavelková
Zuzana Pavelková
deputy director
Biology, Mathematics
Zuzana graduated from the Faculty of Science of the Charles University, discipline Teaching of mathematics and biology. In summer 2012 she completed the course AMI Montessori Orientation to Adolescent Studies in Ohio.
Filip Peška
Filip Peška
IT
Filip is studying artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, and besides his studies at Duhovka, he is actively involved in the field. His interests include theater, sports, and movies.
E–mail: filip.peska@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Petra Primová
Petra Primová
Physics
Petra graduated from the Faculty of Education in Hradec Králové, specializing in teaching chemistry and physics. In her professional career, she not only taught these subjects but also worked with children with developmental and behavioral disorders. After more than a decade of teaching, she decided to gain experience and knowledge outside of the school environment and started focusing on the field of marketing innovative medicines. In 2021, she decided to partially return to the field of physics in Montessori and Duhovka educational environments.
Adam Raška
Adam Raška
Czech and English language
2A's form teacher
Adam's career in education started when he was six, when his younger brother was born, and later on it was academically climaxed by Master's degree at Charles University in Prague. Adam's hobbies are sport, cooking, mushroom-picking with his dog, reading and igniting sparks of critical thinking.
E-mail: adam.raska@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Tannia Ríos
Tannia Ríos
Spanish language
Peter Sokol
Peter Sokol
History
Peter graduated from the Faculty of Education at University of South Bohemia and taught at secondary schools for five years (ZŠ Propojení Sedlčany a Open Gate Boarding School). He spent four years in a non-profit organization AISIS where I coordinated teachers training projects including a Czech version of thee international programme Facing History and Ourselves. In 2008 Peter started his career as a freelancer and he cooperated as a trainer with several organizations such as The Terezín Initiative Institute, Jewish museum in Prague and The Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes.
E-mail: peter.sokol@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Matěj Soukup
Matěj Soukup
Mathematics
Matěj graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University in Prague with a focus on mathematics and physical education. His experience at Mensa Gymnasium, where he often worked with differentiation in teaching for variously gifted students, helped him better understand the needs and abilities of students.
He is known for his patience and ability for open communication with students and their parents. The friendly relationships among colleagues and students contribute to an inspiring atmosphere at the school.
E-mail: matej.soukup@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Martin Stanley
Martin Stanley
English language & literature
Head of English
Martin is from near Liverpool in England, and is a huge fan of the music and football from that city. He studied English literature at university and has a Master's in Education. Martin has over 20 years’ teaching experience, gained from working in the Czech Republic and Spain, and enjoys teaching all levels and age-groups.
In his free time, he enjoys cycling, tennis and reading.
Radka Stýblová
Radka Stýblová
Mathematics
2B's form teacher
Radka obtained her education at the Faculty of Science, where she specialized in mathematics and biology. She later expanded her qualifications by adding English language proficiency at the Faculty of Education.
Her invaluable experiences from traveling around the world and the various life situations she encountered during her journeys greatly assist her in her teaching profession. According to Radka, it is crucial for a teacher not to be merely a theoretician solely interested in their subject matter, but also to be able to teach with perspective and an open-minded approach.
At Duhovka, she has embraced the role of a teacher as a guide in the learning process. In her view, a teacher stands on the same level as the students and approaches them with friendliness and a helpful attitude, striving to aid them in understanding the material being taught.
Jana Svobodová
Jana Svobodová
Czech language, Art
3B's form teacher
Jana Svobodová graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in the fields of Czech studies and political science. Later, she supplemented her education with a teaching qualification through state exams in psychology and pedagogy. She has been involved in Montessori education for over 20 years. She worked at a Montessori farm in Germany and in a school in Amsterdam. She spent five years at the International School of Prague (ISP) and three years at the Montessori Primary School Archa. In her free time, she dedicates herself to her family and two Border Collies. She enjoys attending cultural and social events, advocates for lifelong learning and personal growth, and works as a personal development coach.
Jana Špalová
Jana Špalová
Visual Arts
She is the graduate of the secondary Václav Hollar Art School and of the master study programme of the Academy of Performing Arts at the Theatre Faculty in Prague with focus on stage design in alternative and puppet theatre. She regularly cooperates with an independent theatre group Letí and she is the author of two puppet theatre fairy tales. She loves various art techniques, her specialty being turning wood. She became involved in working with children through the interactive festival Vyšehrátky and assistance in the registered association Máme otevřeno? She also continued to study and further her teaching qualifications for upper elementary and secondary school and now at Duhovka High School she is delighted to be teaching Art and Art History.
E-mail: jana.spalova@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Jiří Šulc
Jiří Šulc
Mathematics
6A's form teacher
Jiří graduated from a high science school in Pardubice and than from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the Charles University in Prague, discipline Teaching. He gained a great experience while teaching at a primary school. He has been working as a mathematics teacher at our gymnasium for many years. He likes to pass his time with students not only at school, but also during various sport and culture events, project excursions, and trips and so on. Beside his family his most favorite hobbies are sports, playing the guitar, visiting the theatres and traveling.
E-mail: jiri.sulc@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Jiří Tejkal
Jiří Tejkal
Social science
Jiří graduated from the Faculty of Education at Charles University and teaches social science subjects at a high school.
E-mail: jiri.tejkal@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Zdena Tejkalová
Zdena Tejkalová
Chemistry
Zdena graduated from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague and teaches chemistry and English language at a high school.
Magdaléna Tomanová
Magdaléna Tomanová
Spanish language, Photography
Magdaléna studied Spanish philology at the Faculty of Arts of the Masaryk University in Brno. She continued her studies at the Faculty of Arts of the Charles University in Prague with the Iberoamerican program. After completing university she worked for four years as a teacher of Spanish at a basic school. She later extended her teaching qualification to secondary schools as well. Now she is attending the Montessori course for ages 12-18. She devotes her free time to Spanish and Latin American literature, photography, theater, music and travelling.
Patrik Trska
Patrik Trska
Art teacher
E-mail: patrik.trska@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Eva Vaidová
Eva Vaidová
Physical education
Eva is the graduate of the master study programme with focus on Physical Education and Psychology at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, where she also pursued her doctoral studies. She undertook an internship in Greece while a student, a teaching internship in Portugal, and a postgraduate internship in Canada. In her spare time she is very active with a wide variety in sports and she also serves as a youth athletic trainer.
E-mail: eva.vaidova@duhovkagymnazium.cz
Ondřej Veselý
Ondřej Veselý
German language
For Ondřej, a lover of foreign languages who spent a part of every summer as a camp leader, the Faculty of Education was a clear choice. Although he enjoyed his studies, after passing his final exams in 2015, he couldn't help but feel that it was time to try something different. In the following years, he worked as an assistant to a tax advisor in an international company and later as an assistant auditor in a family-owned firm. However, his true nature eventually surfaced, and he gradually returned to teaching: first through courses in specialized German and English for adults and university students. In 2020, he joined Duhovka as a German teacher to work with high school students. He swims and plays the piano, enjoys singing, and to better empathize with his students, he continues as a doctoral student in German language at Charles University.
Daniel Werling
Daniel Werling
Geography, economics and chemistry
Daniel Werling has a Masters degree in International Business from San Diego State University and a Masters in Education from Angelo State University in Texas. Daniel and his wife met in Argentina and continued their love for traveling until it brought them to Shanghai, China where they lived and taught for over five years. He and his wife moved to Prague two years ago where he has taught Economics, Geography, and Sciences and his wife is a kindergarten teacher at Lycee Francias de Prague. They are expecting their first child in November, a baby girl.