Maria Paştiu (ex Barbulescu) – English Teacher & Head of Languages Department

My name is Maria Pastiu and I have been an English teacher for 7 years now. During this period, I have worked with children of all ages and with adults as well – but I admit, I do have a preference of working with teenagers; although all people perceive this age as challenging, I like a challenge and I find that teenagers are the ones who know not to take themselves too seriously but can be hard-working too! I have graduated from the University of Bucharest (Faculty of Foreign Languages, a BA degree in English and German) and from the National School of Political Science and Public Administration (Faculty of Management, an MA degree in Management and Corporate Branding). I hold multiple certificates when it comes to English teaching: Celta, Delta M1 and Delta M3, Celt-S and all the TKT certificates. I am also an approved teacher trainer by the Romanian government and by Cambridge. Although some may call me a workaholic, I do enjoy travelling to other countries and sightseeing, playing tennis and spending time with my three dogs! 

 

 

 

 

Felicia Mirza – English Teacher

I am Felicia Mirza and I teach English and Literature in Upper Secondary. I graduated from The University of Bucharest, Faculty of Germanic Languages and I hold a BA in English and Romanian Language and Literature. Alongside my BA I hold all the teaching degrees awarded by The Ministry of Education, Romania. I was also awarded The CELTA Certificate by Oxford Brookes University, England which entitles me to teach English to speakers of other languages. I am certified by Homerton College, Cambridge, to teach English for Cambridge International Exams. As a teacher, I have always been interested in continuous professional development and I took part in different conferences and training courses which enabled to better understand how to support students with their learning. 45 years of teaching encompass a life of dedication to bring out the best in each student and enable them to pursue their dreams. I have been teaching both in Romania and abroad covering a wide range of levels and ages. I have had the privilege to work in stimulating environments,  enabling students to thrive and achieve their potential. I love teaching and I have dedicated my whole career to education. 

“The man who can make hard things easy is the educator”. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) 

 

 

 

Raluca Garba – Mathematics Teacher

I am Raluca Garba and I am a graduate of the University of Bucharest. I spent about five years travelling the world and eventually settled down in a small town near Fort Worth, Texas. I got married and taught for eight years in the United States.  I am certified in Mathematics, Computer Science and English as a Second Language. I returned to Romania a while back and I am currently the Mathematics Teacher for Years 10, 11, and 12 at Liceul Maarif International School of Bucharest.   

 

 

 

 

 

Monica Mateescu – ICT Teacher

A passionate and innovative Project Management Specialist with over 20 years of reach & diverse experience in Business Management, Program/Project Management, Software Development, Business Analyse and Mentoring. An expert in managing the complete project lifecycle. A Master of Computer Engineering from the Institute of Technology, POLITEHNICA, Bucharest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loredana Barleaza – Global Perspectives Teacher & Head of Humanities Department

My name is Loredana Barleaza and I have joined MISB in 2019. Currently, I teach English and Global Perspectives in Upper Secondary, and I am also the Head of the Humanities Department. I have more than 12 years of experience in various international schools, and I am a certified teacher with the Romanian Ministry of Education.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diana Caracostea – Travel & Tourism Teacher

I’m Diana Caracostea and I am from Bucharest, Romania, I lived in the US for eight years and recently moved back to my birth country, with my husband and our 5-year-old daughter. I have travelled throughout Europe and parts of the U.S., meeting and interacting with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. These experiences have left me open-minded and with a love of learning new things from myriad cultures. I am an innovative teacher, skilled at promoting active learning through multiple learning approaches and hands-on activities as a way to meet the needs of all students. I love working with children and will continue to strive to be a positive influence on their lives. I have come to realize how vital education is in the preparation for young people to achieve success in all endeavours set before them. I hope to instil a love of learning and a desire for constant knowledge within each student. I have graduated from the Academy of Economics Studies (ASE), Bucharest  (bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics and international Studies) and from the Department of Teacher Training, MA and BA (Nivelul I & II from ASE). I’m a certified Trainer by the Romanian National Register of Professional Development of Trainer Courses and signed up for Definitivat Exam for 2023. I hold multiple certificates of completion from the US, mostly in Classroom Management in Romania,  I worked as Economics subjects Teacher at Economic High Schools in Bucharest, and also as English Trainer and in the US, I was teaching Math and World History for middle school. I am currently teaching Travel and Tourism, and this is my first year at MISB.

 

 

Mihai Ilie Ene – Geography & Business Teacher

My name is Mihai Ilie-Ene, and I am the Business and Geography teacher at MISB. I have a passion for educating students and I have been happily doing this for over 7 years and counting. As for my educational background, I have pursued a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Administration at the Academy of Economic Sciences in Bucharest after which I obtained a Master’s degree in Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool Education From the University of Bucharest – Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. Up until now, I have also participated in over 300 hours of personal development programs and courses. My first job experience started in July 2016 when I joined the international organisation Teach for Romania as a teacher supported by the organization up till 2018 when, for one year, I was involved as an Education Expert in the development of a European Union program aimed at giving vulnerable communities the chance of pursuing higher education. In 2019 I started my teaching role at MISB and I am happy to be part of such an amazing and involved community, interacting with students every day and having fun with them while learning. 

 

 

 

 

Valentina Stanescu – Biology Teacher & Head of Sciences Department

I am Valentina Stanescu and I am the Biology teacher at Liceul Maarif International School of Bucharest. I am passionate and motivated to enhance student confidence, grades and social skills through creative lesson planning. I could also say that I am skilled at managing student behaviour through appropriate discipline and positive reinforcement. With a double major in Biology („Babes Bolyai University”) and foreign languages (Italian and English at „Spiru Haret University”), and a master’s degree in medical biology („University of Bucharest”), I am proud to say that I am an experienced professional dedicated to student success.  I have 6 years of experience in both National and International systems. People describe me as an enthusiastic individual, confident in building rapport with young people to create memorable learning experiences. I delivered the Biology curriculum across IGCSE, AS and A classrooms. 

 

 

 

 

Ovidiu Morar – Physics Teacher

Physics teacher for Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13 at MISB. I graduated from the Faculty of Physics – Bucharest, majoring in Nuclear Physics. I have 11 years of experience in teaching physics and received my qualified teacher status in England (QTS) in 2017. With 30 years of experience in educational, cultural, research and entrepreneurial management, I was also responsible for the realization of over 1200 national or international projects in dozens of fields.