MAGDALENA MODRZEWSKA

OWNER

Blossom Preschool fulfils my dream of work which is more than just a job.

I have a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature Studies, I also completed MBA studies at Nottingham Trent University/Poznań University of Economics. I spent twenty years of my life working in corporations, with the last fourteen as a publishing director at Edipresse Poland, managing women’s magazines.

I started my career while still at the University, teaching English to children, and it was a very inspiring experience. It showed me that children soak up new languages like a sponge. In my private life, I am a mother of two daughters – the younger attends my preschool. My older daughter – eight years old – is bilingual. This is because she went to an English-speaking preschool.

Outside of work, I love to travel. I’ve seen a lot of the world backpacking. I have particularly warm memories of my 3-month trip around South-East Asia. I like a good book, cinema, jazz, photography.

JUSTYNA CEDRO

PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

After returning from my maternity leave, I’m excited to be back at Blossom preschool – this time in my new role as Director. Some of you may remember me from my previous role as administrative manager.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in preschool and early childhood education and a master’s degree in English philology. I began my career as a preschool teacher and later spent several years as Blossom’s administrative manager. Working with children and our teaching team is a true joy for me – every day at preschool brings a new adventure and fresh inspiration.

Since becoming a mother myself, I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of parents’ needs – both in supporting their children’s learning and ensuring that their children feel safe and cared for. I believe that mutual trust and open communication are key. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, and, most of all, spending time with my family.

KAROLINA MIZERSKA

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

My name is Karolina and I work at Blossom as an administrative manager.

I have completed studies in finance and accounting, pedagogical preparation, early childhood and preschool education as well as educational management.

I have worked as an accountant and a teacher in the preschool. Working with children brings me a lot of joy.

Personally, I am a mom of two sons and a daughter, I love spending time with my family. I enjoy travelling and watching good movies.

Nina Nowakowska

LEAD HOMEROOM TEACHER

Hello! My name is Nina Nowakowska and I am a preschool teacher. When I was a little girl I always looked up to my teachers and wanted to be just like them. When I’d arrive home from school I would pretend to teach all of my stuffed animals. When I grew up, I started to make my dream a reality. I finished my Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Warsaw University and now I am pursuing my Master’s degree in pedagogical therapy at Akademia Humanistyczno-Pedagogiczna in Lodz. I have also completed several courses, including fairy tale therapy, teaching through art, and the basics of art therapy. In addition, I have 7 years of experience working with preschool kids. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and testing new recipes. I am also an avid indoor gardener because I really appreciate nature and want to bring it into my home. Working with kids brings me a lot of joy; their ideas and creativity never fails to surprise me.

ASHLEY WILLIS

LEAD HOMEROOM TEACHER

When I was 15, my family moved from the United States to England. I visited Krakow and Warsaw and knew I had to live in Poland one day. I returned to America to complete an education internship at a children’s domestic abuse shelter. This experience informed my pursuit of a career in trauma-informed education and empathetic pedagogy. I fulfilled my dream of moving to Poland by studying my bachelor’s degree at Jagiellonian University, where I studied Global Development with an emphasis in education policy. Throughout my studies, I worked with children of all ages, from nursery to high school. This summer, I graduated from the University of Cambridge with a master’s degree in Education. My research centered on childhood sexual violence prevention through education, and I started my own organisation, which helps parents keep their children safe from online exploitation.

I love to hike, travel, bake, and cook. On the weekends, you can find me in the Tatra mountains, trying a new coffee shop, or watching American football.

My educational philosophy is child-centred. I believe in a structured and warm classroom environment which allows children to reach their highest potential and explore their curiosities through play, art, nature, and routine lessons.

JANA GOOSEN

SENIOR PRESCHOOL TEACHER

I am from a small town in South Africa. Having come from a large family of teachers, I always new I would find my passion in this field. I first started my teaching journey when I completed the TEFL-Course and became a preschool assistant in Warsaw, where I had many opportunities to engage in courses and had my introduction to Non-Violent communication, which I value as an intricate part of my teaching philosophy. I returned to South Africa a few years ago to pursue a degree in education and had the opportunity to work at various local schools. I firmly believe that there is nothing more rewarding than experiencing the great creativity and curiosity that children have to offer. Outside of the classroom I find great enjoyment in reading, travel and the people around me. Nature holds a special place in my heart and I explore the outdoors as often as possible.

Milly Moore

SENIOR PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Hello! My name is Milly Moore and I am thrilled to join Blossom as a Preschool English Teacher in 2025. Originally from the UK, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a degree in Law with Criminology. My career journey began with experience in a Primary School in my hometown, where I discovered my passion for working with young children and supporting their educational development. As well as this, my grandmother was a head teacher in the UK which initially inspired my deep appreciation for education and the transformative role it plays in shaping young lives.
Most recently, I worked as a Family and Childcare Paralegal at a national firm in the UK. Whilst I found fulfilment in supporting families, I realised my true purpose is working directly with children to help shape their early learning experiences. This led me to pursue a TEFL certification, which I proudly completed in August 2024, equipping me with specialised skills to teach English as a foreign language.
I am excited to bring my enthusiasm and experience to Blossom, where I aim to make a meaningful impact during such a crucial stage in children’s education. I believe that nurturing a love for learning and exploring early on sets the foundation for a lifetime of success and I am honoured to be a part of every student’s individual journey. Drawing on the Reggio Emilia principles, I aim to be a co-learner and guide, creating a dynamic and inspiring environment where children feel safe to explore, experiment, and share their thoughts.
Having recently relocated to Warsaw, I already feel at home here, thanks to my long-standing familiarity with Poland’s vibrant culture, history, and people from years of visits. Outside of teaching, I enjoy dancing—a passion I’ve pursued for many years, earning qualifications through competitions during my teenage years—along with exploring nature on peaceful walks, getting lost in a good book or film, and unwinding with my Nintendo Switch!
I look forward to bringing my energy, creativity, and commitment to the Blossom community and contributing to the growth and happiness of every child I have the privilege to teach.

Ludmila Correa Garcia

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

My name is Ludmila, I’m from Brazil. I have a bachelor’s degree in Law and Pedagogy. I came to Poland to study for a semester at the University of Warsaw and decided to do a Master’s degree in Linguistics at the same university. I’ve been working in bilingual schools for 4 years now and I’m really passionate about education. I really like to dance and listen to brazilian music.

EWA SIKORSKA

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogical Therapy and am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in the same field. Working with children is more than just a job, for me it is my passion. I am dedicated to supporting their development, building a sense of security, helping them overcome challenges, and preparing them for the next stages of their lives.

I am open, kind, and approachable person who builds relationships with ease. I have always had a natural rapport with children. First as a beloved older sister, and now as an aunt, which has only deepened my conviction that working with the youngest is my true calling.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, crocheting, and staying active. In my professional practice, I combine creativity, patience, and empathy to create a friendly and supportive environment for both learning and play.

AMELIA ANIELSKA-MAZUR

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

My name is Amelia Anielska-Mazur, and I am a speech pathology therapy student. Working with children brings me a lot of joy, which is why I chose to major in speech therapy.

I come from Kraków, moving to Warsaw with the beginning of high school. As a little girl I begun to develop a deep fondness of English as a language, indulging in it daily as a pastime. Along with it came my love for the arts – drawing and music in particular. I continue my creative journey as an artist by expressing myself through digital art, ears filled with music and a head full of ideas.

As an older sister, I always knew I want to pursue a career where I can connect with children. Thus, combining it with my passion for English is a dream come true!

In my free time I adore connecting with nature and creating, whether it is drawing, painting, embroidery or playing my guitar.

Maria Kowalczyk

ASSISTANT TEACHER

My name is Maria Kowalczyk, and I am very happy to be part of the Blossom team..

I have always enjoyed working with children, as I come from a large family and spent many years caring for younger relatives. While still in school, I served as a Girl Scout troop leader for over two years, organizing activities and accompanying children to camps.

After graduating from high school, I began studying management and tutoring primary school children. This experience inspired me to change my field of study to Early Childhood and Preschool Education at the Maria Grzegorzewska Academy of Special Education in Warsaw. I also gained experience working as a teacher’s assistant in a preschool.

I am passionate about teaching through play and adapting activities to the individual needs of each child. I believe every child is unique and deserves support in developing their full potential.

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, and traveling. I also continue to develop my skills through further studies and courses.

WOJCIECH GURTIAKÓW

CHEF

I have been cooking for almost 20 years for now and for the last 9 years I have specialised in cooking for kids. Cooking is my passion and also a big adventure that I hope will last for many years to come. Before I started cooking for kids – I travelled and lived around Europe, including 10 years alone spent in the UK where I developed my cooking skills at top international restaurants and hotels.  While learning and practicing my technique, I simultaneously fuelled my love for cooking, taste creation and the joy of granting healthy and delicious food experiences.

Healthy and tasty cooking for my own son has come as a surprising challenge and also the main trigger as to why I chose to focus on kids. Proper food for children is essential. It is up to us to present them healthy yet tasty options that will result in healthy habits for the rest of their lives.

Kids are inquisitive and their  young palettes and tastes are evolving – it is important to address that in cooking, so that food brings them joy in trying new things and discovering their individual taste map.

Healthy food is key for their health. That is why my main priority is to make food a healthy and tasty experience for kids.  In my kitchen I base my work on natural and unprocessed ingredients designed to use up their seasonal power with close cooperation with experts on diet optimization.

On top of that I try to use all my creativity for creating a true taste experience.

In my everyday work I enthousiastically join Blossom’s experience with mine, and it is crucial for me to establish regular contact with your children – as they will be the main jurors of my dishes – and also with you – so that you know what is on my mind with menu.  I hope you also get inspired at our regular culinary workshops when we gather and enjoy cooking all together.

JAKUB RYPIŃSKI

COOK

My name is Jakub Rypiński. I was born and raised in Warsaw and I graduated from catering school here. Cooking has always been my passion and my specialty is Italian cuisine. I have been cooking for children at Blossom for two years. The work is interesting, but also a great challenge and responsibility. Still, cooking for the little ones is something I really enjoy!

Patrycja Szumowska

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER

“Education is not about learning facts, but about training the mind to think.” — words commonly attributed to Albert Einstein perfectly reflect the philosophy behind my work.

At Atelier21, I work as a co-teacher supporting students with additional educational needs, a pedagogical therapist, and the coordinator of the psychological and pedagogical support team. I graduated from the Maria Grzegorzewska University, where I studied Early Childhood and Primary Education as well as Special Education, specializing in pedagogical therapy. I also completed postgraduate studies in oligophrenopedagogy with art therapy.

I began my professional career in a kindergarten, first as a teaching assistant and later as a teacher and educator. I gained further experience in psychological and pedagogical counselling centres, conducting assessments of specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dysorthography, and dyscalculia, as well as supporting children experiencing difficulties with attention and hyperactivity. I provided pedagogical therapy, art therapy, and social skills training, working individually and in groups with children of different ages. For five years, I also worked as a teacher and homeroom teacher at an international primary school.I continuously develop my professional skills by participating in training courses in areas including orthoptics, school mediation, active learning methods, and Veronica Sherborne’s Developmental Movement. I am also an accredited Level I and II tutor, which enables me to build relationships based on trust, partnership, and mutual respect.I support all children who need additional help. I believe that every child develops at their own pace and has the right to an education adapted to their abilities, needs, and strengths. In my work, I am guided by attentiveness, empathy, and an individual approach. I strive to nurture children’s natural curiosity, develop their independence, critical thinking, and belief in their own abilities. I take a holistic view of each child’s development, taking into account their cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.

One of my particular areas of interest is typhlopedagogy and designing education that is accessible to all students. I am interested in the use of modern assistive technologies, multisensory materials, tactile graphics, and approaches based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which help create an environment that supports the development of every child.

In my private life, I love travelling and discovering the world through local cuisine, architecture, and culture. I am a passionate collector of houseplants, particularly rare and collectible species, and I see cooking as a space for creative experimentation — much like education, which inspires us every day to discover new possibilities.

MARTA CHOIŃSKA

PSYCHOLOGIST

I am a psychologist and have been working with children and young people for several years. I graduated in Psychology from the University of Warsaw, completed postgraduate studies in teacher training and educational therapy, and am currently undertaking a four-year psychotherapy training programme in the cognitive-behavioural approach. I am especially interested in neurodiversity, particularly the autism spectrum.

What I value most in my work is the opportunity to learn about young people’s worlds: their hobbies, ways of thinking, strengths, and challenges. During group classes or individual meetings, I always strive to create a safe and comfortable space that fosters trust and open communication. I support students as they cope with challenges, while also helping them explore what brings them joy, a sense of accomplishment, and increased self-confidence.

I enjoy using art therapy techniques, particularly visual arts activities. I believe that creative work together builds relationships, improves understanding of emotions, and helps to reveal what may be difficult to express in words. I love experimenting with a range of materials and exploring the creative potential of my students.

Apart from work, I love spending time with my two cats, travelling around Europe, visiting museums and art galleries, watching indie films, and going to the theatre or stand-up shows.

During hard times, I always try to remember that “No feeling is final,” as Rainer Maria Rilke wrote in his poem.

WIOLETTA JAKUBIEC

MUSIC TEACHER (PIANO, VIOLIN, UKULELE)

My name is Wiola Jakubiec. Since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a musician, I sang and danced, and I learned to play the violin. I am a graduate of the Secondary Music School in Żywiec. Then I graduated in musicology from the University of Wrocław. I also studied art education in the field of musical art at the Mari Skłodowska-Curie University in Lublin. I am currently improving my instrumental skills in the violin class of Mateusz Smoczyński at the Faculty of Jazz and Stage Music at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw.

Music is at the center of my life, but I also like reading good books or taking a walk. I love painting and photography.

I teach violin and piano in a friendly atmosphere, and I approach each student individually. I try to show that music can be fun.

Weronika Buczna

ART TEACHER

Hello, my name is Weronika. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Art Education, with a specialization in Art Therapy, from the Maria Grzegorzewska University in Warsaw.

For several years, I have been working with children, introducing them to the amazing world of art – a world that, as I truly believe, is open and accessible to everyone.

I also spent over a year in Lima, Peru, where I lived as a volunteer and became part of the local community. I spent a lot of time with local people, especially children, playing with them and organizing activities, as well as visiting and taking care of elderly people. This experience taught me a lot about connecting with others, adapting to a different culture, and appreciating the simple things in everyday life.

Łukasz Kotusiewicz

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

My name is Łukasz, and at Blossom Preschool I will be responsible for supporting the sports development of our children.

My goal is to show children that sport is not only about movement and physical activity, but also a wonderful opportunity to learn, build relationships, develop independence, and discover their own potential.

I am both a sports practitioner and theoretician, with over 10 years of experience specializing in comprehensive football coaching.

Originally from Pomerania, I place great emphasis on understanding, empathy, and the willingness to overcome individual challenges and sporting barriers. Through carefully selected exercises, I want to show children how learning and having fun can go hand in hand.

I would like our shared efforts and experiences as a group to help each child develop not only their sporting abilities, but also their intellectual and social skills.

With sporting regards!

ALEKSANDRA TOMAŚ

SPEECH THERAPIST

I am Ola. Or Tola. And recently even LOGOTOLKA. This is the name of my YouTube profile where you can find some unconventional speech therapy videos that (according to reliable sources) allow children to spend a productive 10 minutes in their room. I had been toying with the idea of a channel like this for some time. The channel came into being during the pandemic to support parents by giving them a much-needed breather and to provide children with a daily dose of speech therapy exercises. Soon, I plan to provide audio stories for children’s speech therapy practice.

I am a qualified actress and speech therapist. I manage to combine these two passions successfully on a daily basis. Although I have to admit that when I started my professional career, I never dreamed how much colour and inspiring moments such an unusual mix would bring into my life.

I currently run an individual and group speech and language therapy practice, and work with a therapy centre for children with autism and pervasive developmental disorder. As an actor, you can see me on stage in plays for children (Teatr Małego Widza in Warsaw) and for adults (Me/St Theatre).

WOJCIECH JEŻ

MARTIAL ARTS COACH

I have been running the “Yawara” Martial Arts School for 20 years. I am a qualified educator, classical philologist, trainer and sports instructor. I teach people of all ages, but I have the most fun training with the youngest. When I started working in Warsaw kindergartens 20 years ago, I had a difficult task because no one before me had ever done classes for such young children. There were no programs, books or coaches to inspire you – at that time I had to rely on my own intuition in everything. IT WAS WORTH IT!

Today, irrespective of all my experience, I still feel that this is highly creative work that gives me great satisfaction. As a judo/ju-jitsu coach, I focus first and foremost on the individual child and his or her needs, while the technical aspects of the martial art have to take a back seat.

In my free time, I dance a bit, run stage movement classes for actors, read books and enjoy walking in the forests around Warsaw.