1. Why did you move to the Czech Republic?
We moved because we wanted to change our lifestyle. My commute to work and back was over 3 hours every day and even though we earned more money in Canada compared to here in Czech, we had less savings and less free time. Our lifestyles were extremely hectic. Plus, my wife’s family is here and we had a piece of land in Třinec which we used to build our current house.
2. Which education system is better in your opinion: the Czech one or the Canadian one?
It is hard to say... the Czech system is definitely more difficult and demanding. The Czech system is still heavily-focused on learning a lot of information and memorizing facts. On the other hand, in Canada students must focus more on writing essays and group or individual presentations. What I don’t like about the system in Canada is how they try to force current political and social issues into the school curriculum rather than just educating students.
3. Would you change the Czech education system? If so, how?
Definitely less subjects because students here can have around 15 different subjects. Also, have more subjects as optional rather than mandatory so students can choose topics based on what they would like to study at university or what career they want to pursue in the future.
4. Do you think students should respect their teachers as authorities?
Yes, definitely. BUT, respect works both ways and teachers should respect the students as well and treat them how they wish to be treated. As we say in English, ‘you get what you give’. Teachers must keep in mind that the subject that they teach is not the ONLY subject students have and maybe not the most important one for a student either.
5. How do you think teachers should act to gain respect from their students?
Like I said above, treat students how they would like to be treated. Listen to what the students would like to do during the lesson and maybe not focus solely on tests and examining students in front of the class. Play a game or do a fun activity once in a while and try to create an atmosphere in the classroom whereby students actually want to come to the lesson. Teachers don’t have to be the students’ friends, but they can be friendly. What’s more, I firmly believe that students learn better from teachers they actually like.
6. Do you prefer tea or coffee?
I really enjoy a good cup of coffee, but I definitely drink more tea. Black tea – I can’t stand fruit tea!
7. If you could have any animal as a pet, which one would it be?
I only want more pug dogs in my life. The only thing better than a pug is multiple pugs!
8. If you could erase one country from the map, which one would you erase?
Russia, or at least just Putin.