We are a group of passionate educators bringing together a global team. We call ourselves rigorous dreamers. We expect from ourselves the courage of a great vision combined with the discipline of great execution. We have strategic partners and outstanding collaborators around the world. With know-how varying from curriculum design to architecture and environmental design, Colina International School is the place for innovative learning.
Annamaria is a passionate educator with over ten years of national and international teaching experience. Her background includes working as a speech therapist, special education teacher in the United States and a primary teacher in Romania (in a British Curriculum international school). She began working at Colina International School in May 2021.
Her passion fuels her to get to know each child’s unique talents, personality, and abilities. She considers herself a forever student, eager to stay in tune with the latest in education to make every child’s school experience a journey in which they thrive as learners.
Annamaria is profoundly a family person. She has three wonderful children; after many years in the US, they specifically returned to Romania to give their children the opportunity to grow up next to their extended family.
Emese is a constant inquirer and admirer of the world. She is experienced in innovative education, with 3 years as a preschool teacher in an International Baccalaureate curriculum school, working with 2-to-4 year old students of different backgrounds and cultures. She started at Colina in August 2021 and has a rich and diverse education background, having studied in countries such as Hungary, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Emese enjoys rediscovering the world through children’s eyes, giving her the perspective on how to be a lifelong learner. She also enjoys travelling and taking up new adventures with her friends in her free time. She has a profound faith and love of humanity. She enjoys volunteering and singing in a choir.
Teo joined the team in August 2024, bringing valuable experience as a Scout Leader and a dedication to fostering growth and kindness in others. Their time in Scouts shaped their patience, teamwork, and ability to guide individuals in discovering their strengths while nurturing a deep appreciation for nature.
With a passion for climbing and outdoor exploration, Teo enjoys inspiring children to challenge themselves and build confidence through meaningful experiences. They believe in creating supportive and engaging environments where children can thrive.
Teo is committed to continuous personal and professional growth, approaching every opportunity with kindness and enthusiasm and always eager to learn and share their skills to make a positive impact.
Cristina is a compassionate social assistant with a deep love for working with children. Driven by her desire to help others, she sees service as her love language. Since September 2024, she has been working as an apprentice designer at Colina International School, where she combines her creative talents with her passion for teaching. Cristina enjoys teaching children how to play the ukulele and finding innovative ways to make learning fun and engaging.
Ștefania has experience in working with both Preschool and Primary children in student-centered schools, both as a teacher and through being a Scout Leader. She joined the team in April 2022.
She is a genuine person, passionate about spending time in nature and has found creative ways of sharing her passion with children helping them develop different areas through movement activities.
Ștefania always shows a ‘can do’ attitude and interest in constant personal learning and development.
Following graduation from the University of Babes Bolyai with a degree in Asian Languages, Laura began her journey into the field of child education by discovering ABA therapy, which provides children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with a means for communicating more effectively with the world around them. Sbe began working at Colina International School in November 2022. Big-hearted and action-oriented, Laura graciously showers love and affection to people and is always there when people need her.
As a source of infinite energy, Laura is a gleeful spirit, always sharing and spreading positive vibes around. She is an extroverted and outgoing person with a particular love for outdoor activities, music, harmony, and the joy that a good laugh can bring.
Denisa is a passionate and experienced elementary school teacher who joined the team in December 2022. She graduated from the Faculty of Letters at Babes B. University and is currently working on her Masters’ Degrees in Instructional Design and Romanian Literary Studies.
She has worked with children aged 8-18 being a volunteer for many ONGs (BACcuBINE, Asociatia Christiana, BeHappy, OST). When she finished her Bachelor’s Degree, Denisa enrolled in an International School, which helped her a lot to see other educational perspectives. Beside this, the Erasmus projects and Trainings that she has been part of play an important role in her career development. There, she has learnt a lot about how to strengthen the relationships with students.
Her biggest passions are-travelling, dancing and reading. In her free time, she likes to discover and experience new cultures, to conquer mountain peaks or simply got carried away by the mysterious life of a book.
Ben is joining Colina International School as Head of School and Learning Designer. He is from England and loves to share adventures and good times with friends and family. He describes himself as a learner, educator and leader who loves to create epic learning experiences for children and adults.
Ben is an experienced school leader and teacher of psychology and mathematics, most recently serving a large private school in South America as their Headmaster.
He is committed to finding elegant ways to elevate the school experience to better prepare young people for their future - not our past. Ben insists that authentic and meaningful education is the key to raising the bar for humanity, and believes that Colina International School is the village that can bring this ambition to life.
Iulia is a problem solver with excellent organisational and project management skills. She began working at Colina in October 2022. Iulia knows how to handle multiple tasks and prioritise effectively. Her great communication skills, proactive nature, and detail oriented approach ensure that our team can focus on what matters - your children!
She loves to spend time in nature, this being one of the biggest benefits that she found when joining Colina Learning Center. She is an explorer who enjoys traveling and discovering new places. Iulia likes dogs, is a joyful person and is very sociable.
Doug has spent 33 years in education the past 20 years in administration. His current position is superintendent of schools in Coldwater Ohio USA.
Doug has a military background as well as a background in business. His business background includes hotel management, customer service consulting and value engineering consulting.
Doug has been involved with the Colina International School from the start and has presented at several conferences in Romania and was actively involved in the teacher academy of Aspire.
Claudia is providing financial and operational expertise at a superb level. She brings experience as CFO, Country Manager, Regional Director in both the private and not-for-profit sectors.
She also brings a love for education and equity, ensuring that the numbers and budgets enable us to include as many families as possible in our learning network.
For more information, please visit Claudia’s LinkedIn profile.
NoTosh is a global company leading innovation in education across all continents founded and led by Ewan. We work together to shape the vision, strategy, and curriculum framework of Colina International School.
Ewan will get you to shoot for the moon while at the same time ensuring you pay close attention to every single detail on the ground. The result: innovation in education done right through well-structured design thinking processes and rigorous strategies.
For more information, please visit Evan’s LinkedIn profile.
Beni is a design thinker.
He's constantly searching for passionate people who dare to dream big and help them push for the win.
His work varies from strategy to design and creative directing.
He works with a team of verbal and visual specialists, ensuring that the branding elements align with their client's business and brand strategies.
For more information, please visit Beni's LinkedIn profile.
Cătălina is an experienced teacher with a rich career, including all age ranges (preschool, primary, secondary, and adult learners) and various roles (Head of the English Department, Drama Teacher, Media, and Events Coordinator).
Her philosophy is to create relationships and foster creative thinking, curiosity, and a quest for understanding. Constantly searching for new and creative learning methods for herself and others, Cătălina aims to make a difference as a progressive educational thinker.
Cătălina’s dream would be for every learner to be equipped with a wide variety of wellbeing tools such as great self-esteem, resilience, a growth mindset for life-long learning, and compassion for themselves, others, and the world. She nurtures great respect and affection for nature under all its wondrous forms.
We are passionate, experienced educators working in progressive educational models. We work collaboratively in Design Teams, using our diverse talents and skills to create and deliver high-impact projects and deep learning expeditions for children and family members.
We go beyond ‘teaching’ to ensure that each educator in our team takes an active role in creating and personalizing learning experiences for each learner. Our primary competence is not to ‘deliver teaching’ but to ‘design learning’ that fits every learner in our community.
We understand that the first thing we are designing is a relationship with the learners in our care. Each learner will receive the right combination of challenge and support to make progress while also being cared for constantly.
We believe in learning and building talent. Our promise is that “Every educator gets better every day”.
We are providing transformative development programs in what we consider best practice in global education:
Our promise of constant learning and improvement is based on the deliberate creation of an outstanding learning culture. We have numerous organizational development practices that make learning a daily, unavoidable experience for everyone in our team.
Andrada Costea, a former Montessori teacher and current Mindful Art teacher and entrepreneur, serves as a beacon of creativity and mindfulness at Colina International School. With a foundation in Communication and PR from Babeș-Bolyai University, complemented by ongoing studies in Psychology, Andrada harmonises academic knowledge with her keen observations of children's needs and behaviours to enrich her mindful art sessions profoundly.
Anchored in a mission to help individuals connect with their inner capacity to create, evolve, and thrive, Andrada champions an educational philosophy that sees mindful art as a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. Her dedication to this philosophy, her innovative spirit, and her profound understanding of child development and emotional wellbeing resonate deeply with Colina International School's vision.
At Colina International School, Andrada leads sessions where play, art and mindfulness merge, guiding both children and adults on a transformative journey towards self-expression, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. Her courses are designed to nurture kindness, foster self-awareness, build emotional resilience, and ensure that learning is imbued with joy and discovery.
Pepe, a passionate horticultural engineer and founder of Colina Farms, has been enriching the Colina International School community with his expertise since 2021. With a commitment to lifelong learning, he is not only advancing his knowledge as a PhD student at USAMV - Cluj-Napoca but also sharing his insights by teaching at the Department of Vegetable Culture.
At Colina International School, Pepe leads practical and holistic gardening courses, seamlessly integrating his organic farming experience to make work engaging for our learners. His courses extend beyond gardening techniques, incorporating lessons on nutrition, and organising eagerly anticipated special picnics, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of nature's cycle.
Pepe's philosophy is rooted in the belief that nurturing a connection with nature is pivotal for the future. He aspires to instil in learners a profound respect and enjoyment for nature, aligning with Colina International School's commitment to holistic development. His role as a father to four Colina International School learners further deepens his connection to our community, allowing him a unique perspective to continually refine and enhance his courses, making learning an ever more attractive and enriching experience for all.
Oana embraced her role as a Learning Designer at Colina International School in August 2023, bringing with her a rich tapestry of experience from her time in Norway, where she not only honed her skills in early childhood education but also immersed herself in Nordic languages and culture. Her international experience, coupled with her ongoing pedagogical studies at UBB University, enriches Colina International School with diverse educational insights and innovative teaching methods.
With a philosophy that champions play and exploration, Oana ensures that every learner experiences education as a joyful journey of discovery, regardless of the weather. Her approach is patient and nurturing, reflecting a deep-rooted belief in caring for each child as she would her own, thus fostering a supportive and empathetic environment within her crew.
Oana's finds solace in simple pleasures like baking, reading, rainy days and sometimes snowboarding. In essence, her life revolves around the warmth of her family and the beauty of teaching. She is excited about the future, eager to continue her educational odyssey and make a positive impact on the lives of those she encounters.
Mirela Berindean's academic journey after high school was guided by a profound love for languages, leading her to pursue studies in English and French language and literature at the Faculty of Letters in Cluj-Napoca.
From 2015 to 2023, she worked as a teacher for a prestigious British International School working with children ranging from 7 to 18 years old.
Mirela harbors a passion for hiking. She received training from the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award as a leader, supervisor, and assessor. Over the years, she has successfully led, supervised, and assessed numerous hiking trips, combining her love for the outdoors with a commitment to fostering personal growth and development.
The process of working with children never ceases to amaze her. It consistently introduces fresh energy and perspective, continuously reshaping the way she perceives things. This dynamic interaction with young minds has been an ongoing source of inspiration and evolution throughout her professional journey.
Her core belief regarding education reflects what Chesterton wrote – that it is 'simply the soul of a society.' She firmly believes that learning is a continuous process that unfolds in every moment, and this understanding should make a meaningful difference in shaping individuals and society at large.
Being part of the Colina team not only brings her a sense of being alive, inspired, and appreciated, but it also provides a secure environment for both learners and educators. Working collaboratively with the team to craft the Expeditions for the year adds an extra layer of excitement to her experience. Mirela is deeply passionate about the way the team infuses creativity and draws upon diverse experiences during discussions, contributing to the dynamic and innovative educational environment that defines Colina.
With a Master’s degree in Computer Science and nine years of industry experience, Lavinia has brought innovation to advanced algorithms in self-driving cars, using AI (artificial intelligence), computer vision and programming.
Believing in a holistic approach to education, Lavinia sees school and family as extensions of each other. Blending her technical expertise with a deep passion for education, mathematics and child psychology, Lavinia finds genuine joy and purpose in guiding children’s learning journeys.
As a guiding philosophy, she seeks balance between structure and creativity - where the engineer’s precision meets the artist’s imagination - a harmony she brings into the classroom. She values the delicate balance between guidance and independence, convinced that true learning happens when adults are present enough to support, yet discreet enough to let children discover on their own.
She finds joy and fulfillment in spending meaningful time with her family - exploring nature, working on house projects and gardening - as well as in moments of reconnection with her true self through reading, playing the piano, drawing and studying the Bible.
Lucian champions the belief that the foundation of the finest education is feeling safe, accepted, and loved – states that become our baseline for living a fulfilled and successful life. Upholding the wisdom that 'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all' (Aristotle), he finds his passion in guiding Colina International School learners. Through the arts of music and dance, he enables them to hone their attention, develop multifaceted skills, nurture compassion, and foster healthy connections with themselves, others, and the world.
With a background in Marketing and Management (Babes Bolyay University, 2008), Lucian's journey from a successful marketing specialist to an artist and educator is a testament to following one’s dreams. His venture into African drumming in 2015 marked the beginning of a transformative path. Today he embraces his calling fully through his celebrated School of Drums and Heart, and of course through enriching the Colina International School community with his musical and artistic talents.
Sebastian is the CEO & Co-founder of Craft Solutions which helps business owners and companies double their profits at record speed, without breaking a sweat. Sebastian is also the Fractional CFO of Piata9, Fractional CFO of Graphein, Fractional CFO of Colina Noua, Fractional CFO of Underline Ventures, Fractional CFO of French Revolution, Fractional CFO of Green Horse Games and Fractional CFO of SmartDreamers.
Olimpia is a leading expert and consultant on brain-based learning design. President of Instructional Design Ltd., a company behind hundreds of successful corporate and educational programs both online and in-person, delivered in a variety of different languages. In addition to consulting with Fortune 500 organizations on learning projects, Olimpia is the founder of Book to Courses™ Online School whose main goal is to consult authors on how to transform non fiction books into online academies or apps. Author of "How People Learn" book. https://howpeoplelearnbook.com/
Karen has held multiple roles in the field of education as district-level director, building administrator, classroom teacher, college adjunct professor, and conference presenter. She is a retired assistant superintendent from Sycamore Community Schools in Cincinnati Ohio USA. Sycamore is ranked in the top 3% of schools in the United States. Karen is now an educational leadership coach. She is an expert in curriculum and strategic planning.
Julien is an ICF Professional Certified Coach with a focus on resilience, strengths and transition with a passion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. He loves supporting his clients to achieve their personal and professional goals with proven tools and methodologies so they can grow from good to great.
He works with individuals and organizations to support them in accelerating their performance, in becoming strong & resilient leaders, and in harnessing their energizing strengths to reach their goals. He is an MBTI, Strengths and Emotional Intelligence Certified Practitioner and the Director of Education of the Diversity for Performance Professional Coach Training Certification.
His spare time is spent between his family - cooking or doing crafts with his two daughters, and volunteering for Coaching For Everyone (CFE), a non-profit on a mission to diversify the coaching industry and deliver high-impact coaching to under-resourced and underserved communities.
Iulia is an economist who works as Quality Assurance Engineer. During the last couple of years has found herself passionate about education and currently follows a training course as a Financial Education Instructor. She aims to teach children Financial Literacy because she thinks it is an essential skill for everyone. She chose to teach children because she believes they are very capable of understanding these concepts and by starting to learn financial literacy as early as possible, children will develop good financial habits from the beginning instead of having to change their behaviors when they are adults.
Frank recently retired after serving 34 years in education. His most recent position was superintendent of school at Sycamore Community Schools in Cincinnati Ohio USA. Sycamore is ranked in the top 3% of schools in the United States.
Frank is an expert in leadership and community engagement. He now is a professor at Xavier University and does consulting for a recruiting firm for superintendents and for an architect firm focusing on community engagement.
Juan has a masters in education policy from Harvard University and has served as the Chairman of the Board for the Asociación Escuelas Lincoln in Buenos Aires. He was Undersecretary of Social Economy for the Argentine government. Juan has supported various schools during their initial start-up phase including The Garzón School, in Uruguay and Burke Middle School in Boston. Juan lives in Boston, where he is the Executive Director of the Center for Artistry and Scholarship. He is the author of Inspirar: El arte de vivir mejor, and has published education papers in numerous journals.
Alina is the director and founder of the Romanian -Finnish School. Alina started this school at age 23 and now has grades K-12. Alina has also served as pedagogy professor at a local university in Bucharest. She holds a PhD in educational sciences. She is also a gifted presenter on change in education as it relates to building relationships.
Evelina Turda is part of the Colina International School as the Community Outreach Leader. In her role, she creates opportunities for families, educators, and partners to interact and grow together—bridging the internal spirit of the school with the outside world and making space for dialogue and shared purpose.
With a background in event management and consulting, she brings structure, creativity, and emotional depth to every project she undertakes. Evelina has a rich tapestry of experience and a journey rooted in kindness and the belief that every small action can spark meaningful change.
Volunteering has always been a key part of her life. Her values of integrity, empathy, and giving back to society are central to both her personal and professional ethos. She finds clarity in nature, comfort in music, and companionship in her deep love for animals. Evelina draws inspiration and courage from her family.
Andrei loves education and movement. Quite a good part of his activity revolves around working with kids and young people, sharing ideas and inspiration on how to move creatively, freely, blending the body, the mind and how we feel.
Beyond movement and sports, he's curious about psychology, human relationships, connection, self-awareness and human nature. He believes that everyone can learn and overcome themselves if they have a good environment and the freedom to explore, to learn, to make mistakes, to yell or laugh or cry if that's the natural expression. Coming back to innocence, simplicity and authenticity is something that kids can preserve and adults can learn to get back to.
The way Andrei teaches kids to be themselves, to be strong, flexible, creative and relaxed with their bodies is through parkour, various games and activities that he brings to his classes. He also considers that kids have their intrinsic intelligence and intuition and they don't always need to be told what to do, rather encouraged to observe their own needs, desires and start from there the exploration of movement possibilities.
Eric Oancea has spent his life creating, exploring, and experimenting. With a background in sculpture and experience in graphic design, he enjoys exploring the connection between mind and body. He loves working with people and sharing in their creative journey.
He believes education should not shape anyone, but help them find their own shape. Through his work, Eric hopes to guide children not only in making things with their hands, but also in discovering the art of being human, thoughtful, kind, and true to themselves.
Outside of his work, Eric is passionate about people and the why behind things. He loves nature, music, and traveling, finding inspiration in the world around him and in the stories, emotions, and ideas that connect us all.
Alina Neagoe is a puppeteer and theatre artist who deeply believes that theatre can be one of the most powerful forms of emotional education. Having graduated in 2022 with a degree in Performing Arts from The National University of Theatre and Film “I. L. Caragiale” in Bucharest, Alina is passionate about exploring how theatrical play and the creative process of building a performance can nurture empathy, confidence, and imagination among young people.
Her artistic vision is rooted in the idea that theatre is not just a performance space, but a transformative experience—one that allows individuals to connect more authentically with themselves and with others. At CIS, Alina is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and open environment where students are encouraged to express themselves freely through artistic exploration. Rather than offering ready-made answers, she guides them toward discovering their own emotional resources and inner mechanisms for growth.
For Alina, puppetry and theatre serve as bridges between emotion and understanding, creativity and introspection. Through her work, she aims to empower young people to develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the courage to engage with the world through empathy and imagination.
Andrei is a dedicated and enthusiastic history educator who joined the CIS team in February 2025. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Doctoral School of History. Civilization. Culture. at Babeș-Bolyai University, where he also completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History, along with both levels of the Pedagogy program.
Before joining CIS, Andrei taught History in public schools as a volunteer and later supported students across Cluj County through the BacUBBine! project, helping them prepare for the History Baccalaureate exam. These experiences deepened his passion for teaching and mentorship.
He has also participated in the Work and Travel program in the United States, two Erasmus+ projects, and several educational workshops and conferences, all of which broadened his cultural and professional perspective.
His passions include history, travel, reading, and sports. In his free time, Andrei loves exploring new cultures and discovering historical places.
Arina loves science – the fun and colourful experiments, the mysteries, the complex problems and the many opportunities it provides for curiosity and creativity. After getting both her Bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, she chose to dedicate her career to sharing her passion and to surround herself with the most curious beings of them all – children.
She joins the team as an experienced and trained educator. She has over 7 years of experience as a science teacher, with particular focus on interdisciplinary STEAM Education and Primary Schools Education. She has both completed and ongoing training in Educational Sciences.
She loves reading, playing boardgames and spending time with her family and friends. Whenever possible, she prefers to be outside, in nature.
