Janika Kurrel van Ekeris

Janika was born and raised in Estonia. She is an experienced Preschool teacher. She graduated cum laude from Tallinn University Teachers College  after fulfilling the programme in Preschool Pedagogy and Psychology. Ms. Janika has been a teacher since 1991, since 2007 at the ISE. She is trained in International Baccalaureate(IB) PYP Programme and has participated on a number of international trainings. She is a member of Estonian Reading Association and in 2009 she won a prize for the best Literacy Corner in Estonia.

Ms. Janika is a strong believer of Play Based Learning and supports creativity and child centered learning in her classroom incorporating elements from Montessori and Reggio Emilia pedagogy.  She has participated in the International Erasmus + job shadow programme and led several Math and Play Based learning workshops for parents. Ms. Janika has participated in several workshops about teaching and accommodating children with ASD (Autism spectrum disorder) and how to lead outdoor learning.

She is a certified first aid provider.

Ms. Janika is the Seesaw ambassador at ISE.

Ms. Janika has lived in the Netherlands, New-Zealand and UK, she is fluent in Estonian, English, Dutch and Russian. She enjoys music, theatre, Zumba, dancing, swimming, travelling, reading, gardening and handicraft.