Maren Toom

Maren Toom, born in Tallinn, a teacher since 1986, has been teaching Estonian language, culture and literature for grades 1-12 at ISE since January 1999 and has been an International Baccalaureate (IB) teacher since 2000. She has served as an international IB Language A Estonian examiner, ISE MYP Community Service Coordinator (1999-2004) and IB Diploma CAS coordinator. She has qualifications in three IB programs: PYP, MYP and Diploma. Teaching and sharing Estonian culture and literature are her passions and she is always eager to introduce Estonia and share its special culture, traditions and history. She has studied school administration, translating and editing, host country studies and teaching language and literature. She studied a year in Denmark and taught in Bristol Consolidated School, Maine, USA.

She laid the foundation for the annual tradition of organizing an Estonian Day at school, where Estonian culture, music and folklore are introduced and students can take part in many workshops and activities. She acquired her first MA degree in Estonian and Finno-Ugric philology in Tartu University and MA in teaching and education in Tallinn University. She has been a language editor for a county newspaper and an examiner of the state language for the Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board.  She is the author of three books on Estonian riddles, adores dogs, nature, botany and gardening, theatre, literature, folklore, cultural heritage and music. She is a mother of four and a grandmother of two.