Terje Äkke

PYP Principal-Coordinator/ PYP teacher

Terje Äkke is a compassionate international PYP teacher and leader, dedicated to the well-being and growth of all students and adults in her care. Since she started her teaching journey more than 20 years ago, she has served in various roles at the International School of Estonia, teaching different grade levels in PYP, also Math and Science in MYP 1, and leading the PYP team as PYP Coordinator (2008-2013 and 2015-2017) and since 2017 as PYP Principal-Coordinator.

Terje graduated cum laude from Tallinn Pedagogical University, Estonia, after fulfilling a 5-year study programme in Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education, including one academic year and student teaching programme at Smith College, Massachusetts, USA. An inquirer committed to professional growth, she is highly trained in the International Baccalaureate (IB) system, successfully completed CEESA/ECIS Literacy Coaching Training Programme and Cognitive Coaching course and participated in an international leadership program Education for Future. In addition to being a leader and teacher at ISE, Terje has led professional development workshops and has presented at educational conferences for Estonian teachers about inquiry, classroom design, trans-disciplinary learning and literacy. In 2019 she led a workshop at the 21st of European Conference on Literacy. Over the decades, student teachers from universities and teachers from Estonian schools have visited her classroom to observe and learn the best pedagogical practices.

Terje holds membership in Estonian Reading Association and has served on Kohila Gümnaasium’s school board (2012–2020). She is a co-author of the book, Implementation of Integrated Learning in Preschool and Kindergarten published in 2013. Terje is the recipient of European Council of International Schools’ award for the promotion of International Education (2014).

Terje enjoys reading, writing, ballroom dancing and spending time with her family. She has three lovely daughters.