Faculty

Dr Karolina Watras completed her A Levels at the Cheltenham Ladies’ College in the UK. She received her undergraduate degree in History of Art from Christ’s College, Cambridge. Karolina studied Gothic Architecture for a Master’s at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London and subsequently returned to Cambridge to pursue her MPhil and doctoral research at Jesus College.

Dr Watras has worked as a supervisor and Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge Department of History of Art, Acting Director of Studies at Jesus and Trinity Colleges, and course leader at the Institute of Continuing Education. She returned to Poland and joined Akademeia in 2014.

Dr Watras’s broader interests include Surrealism, transregional exchanges between 20th century avant-gardes, artist’s books, art under totalitarian regimes, and twentieth century aesthetic theory. Dr Watras has always followed an interdisciplinary approach throughout the course of her academic studies and teaching. This has informed her work as the Head of the Humanities Department, and she strives to instil an appreciation of its importance in her students.

Faculty of Humanities: 

Dr Adam Anders
BA (Hons) History, York University
MA Ancient History, Cardiff University
PhD Ancient History, Cardiff University
ALM, Harvard University

Adam studied History at York University in Toronto and went on to study Ancient History at Cardiff in the UK. There he earned an MA with distinction and followed with a Ph.D. on Roman light infantry. His academic research focuses on the Roman Army, with a particular interest in combat dynamics. His love for stories spills over from the historical to the fictional, and the latter manifests as a penchant for creative writing: Adam enrolled at Harvard University, where in 2022 he received Master’s degree in Creative Writing and Literature.

Sonia Blank
BA (Hons) Education and Humanities, Midwestern College in Kansas City
MLitt Religion and the Contemporary World, St. Andrews University

After receiving her BA in Education and Humanities in Kansas City, Sonia pursued an interdisciplinary MLitt focusing on Religion and the Contemporary World at St. Andrews University. Her thesis explored the concept of self-love, specifically as expressed in the writings of the Danish existential philosopher Sore Kierkegaard. Her passion for teaching led her to Prague, where she received a TEFL certificate, and then to Poland, where she began teaching at language schools. Sonia has also worked as a translator for numerous publishers and authors. Expressing herself in a more artsy way is an important aspect of her life, and she does this through singing, dancing, as well as writing poetry: link

Kay Czepli-George
BA History of Art, Birkbeck College, University of London
MA, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), University of London
Cambridge Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults, University of Cambridge
Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching, Lancaster University
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults – CELTA YL extension, University of Cambridge
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults – CELTA, University of Cambridge

Kay Czepli-George specialises in teaching History of Art, Literature and English language to high school as well as university students. She has worked for educational institutions in England, Vietnam, Qatar and Poland. Her experience has ranged from teaching young learners and young adults, designing innovative materials, mentoring newly qualified teachers and supporting YL educators in a methodological capacity. Kay is interested in the concepts of second language identity as well as interdisciplinary and creative approaches to teaching English Language and Literature, and History of Art. She is also a member of the Wellbeing Team. The source of her inspiration is not only other teachers but also her talented students who surprise her every day.

Stefan Głowacki
MA Polish Studies, University of Warsaw 

Stefan Głowacki graduated from the faculty of Polish Studies at the University of Warsaw. During his studies he directed his scientific interests primarily towards Mannerist and Baroque literature, investigating their connections with modern times. Stefan has many years’ experience as a teacher. In his work with students he focuses on dialogue and the independent exchange of thoughts and views. He encourages his students to look at literary texts from a broader perspective, to pay attention to the historical and literary context in which a given work originated, as well as consider the correlations between the work and other fields of art such as painting, film, or works of mass culture. In developing the Polish language teaching programme, he paid special attention to its interdisciplinary and intertextual character – that is why, apart from outstanding works of literature and their analysis, the programme also features elements of Polish history, world history and literature, history of art, and visual culture. Among his favourite authors he mentions Witold Gombrowicz and Franz Kafka. He is a passionate musician and composer. His works may be defined as a combination of jazz, funk, and electronic music.

Natalia Jakubowska
BA English Language Philology, University of Bialystok
MA English Language Philology, University of Bialystok
Master of Laws (LLM), University of Bialystok
Acquisition Cat 1 Training, Dublin

Natalia Jakubowska is an experienced ESL Teacher, IB Language B Tutor, and Extended Essay Supervisor. Throughout her teaching career, she accomplished professional development trainings in Poland, Ireland, and the UK. Natalia is interested in second language acquisition, cognitive psychology, and language education. She specialises in working with gifted students and designing individual courses which are tailored to meet students’ special education needs and help them grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Natalia promotes creative and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning in her classes.

Andrew James
BA (Hons) Philosophy, University of Liverpool
CELTA, Cambridge ESOL Examinations
DELTA, Cambridge ESOL Examinations 

Andrew teaches English for Academic Purposes. He is also responsible for Akademeia’s Summer School.  Having last been responsible for setting up the short courses department of a well-established UK independent school he was previously the UK manager of a large international summer camp provider based out of Switzerland. English language teaching has been Andrew’s primary focus since leaving university, a career which has taken him to Poland, France and Portugal, working most recently for the British Council. Outside of school and family life, Andrew is keen on politics, philosophy and a wide range of sports, especially golf and cricket.

Patrycja Krysińska
BA, Academy of Music in Łódź
MA Polish Philology, University of Warsaw

Jan Ladzinski
Head of History, Acting Head of Sixth Form
BA History, London School of Economics and Political Science
Master of Research [MRes] East European Studies, University College London

Jan’s main interest lies in the history of national and peasant movements in Eastern Europe, including the origins of civil society and political participation.

Katie Martin
BA (Hons) German & Linguistics, University of York
MA in Applied Linguistics, York St John University
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), York St John University
Diploma in English Language Teaching, Cambridge University English Examinations
CELT YL, Cambridge University English Examinations

Katie Martin is an experienced English language teacher for both children and adults. She has worked in educational institutions in the UK, Austria, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and has been teaching in a range of multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-national classrooms.
Katie specialises in teaching secondary school age and also in professional development for teachers.  Across all age levels, she focuses on improving communication skills and cooperative learning, as well as raising confidence, as these are transferrable skills invaluable for our modern world.  Language acquisition and retention are some of her other professional interests.

Natalia Przybysz
MA Institute of Polish Language, University of Warsaw, 

Natalia is a graduate of the Faculty of Polish Studies at the University of Warsaw, as well as a PhD student at the Institute of Polish Language at the University of Warsaw. Her scientific interests focus on the cognitive perception of language, primarily metaphors. She cooperates with both Polish and foreign youth publishing houses, and her doctoral thesis concerns the analysis of metaphors in classic fairy tales and their contemporary adaptations. She participates in many cultural events related to the promotion of Polish literature and linguistics: she conducted, among others, workshops for young people at the Capital of Polish Language Festival and served as a Polish language expert at the Warsaw Dictation. In working with students, Natalia focuses primarily on the interdisciplinary nature of literature and language. She tries to encourage students to look at literary works from many perspectives, loves book discussions and interpreting cultural texts in an open fashion. Her passions are reading books (in particular good crime novels), old cars, and sport.

Sam Pulham
BA English Literature, Queen Mary, University of London
MA Writing and Society 1700 – 1820, Queen Mary, University of London

Sam’s research interests include first-generation Romanticism and its legacy, particularly in terms of its influence on early twentieth-century poetry. Sam has also co-hosted a literary podcast on forgotten or overlooked books – Sherds Podcast: link

In Akademeia he teaches English Language, English Literature and also acts as a Senior Librarian.

Mara Steven
BS, Psychology and History of Law, Loyola University New Orleans
MS, Secondary Education, Johns Hopkins

Mara Steven specializes in teaching English Language and in Drama to middle and high school age students. Her curiosity and love of learning pushed her to study both science and humanities at a liberal arts college in the United States, and her crowning achievement from her undergraduate studies was being the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship. Ultimately, her passion for community engagement led her to earn her teaching license through The New Teacher Project, and she continued her educational research while earning a Master’s of Science degree at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to teaching, she also advises AHS students in their university choices as a Senior University Adviser and performs as Head of Year 9.

Bella Szala
Head of English
MA (Hons) Art History and English Literature, University of St. Andrews
MPhil History of Art, University of Cambridge

Before moving to Poland from the UK in 2008, Bella studied at the University of St. Andrews, where her undergraduate thesis examined the interaction between Philip Pulman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, and the old Romantics, especially Blake and Milton. At Cambridge, her MPhil in History of Art focused on late medieval panel painting in East Anglia. These diverse topics reflect two specific interests: writing for children from the18th century to the present day, and Gothic art. Both these areas encompass the deployment of didactic/pedagogic images, the history of which within Christian art is a major area of her interest. Renaissance and Jacobean drama, together with 20th century American drama, represent other fields of study, fuelled by Bella’s four year stint teaching English Literature at the Polish National Academy of Theatre Arts (formerly Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Teatralna).

Dr Magdalena Szalewicz
MA Philosophy, University of Warsaw
PhD Philosophy, Polish Academy of Sciences

Magda’s PhD thesis was devoted to the problem of visual thinking. Drawing on Freud’s findings concerning dreams as visual representations of thoughts and on the images produced by artificial neural networks modelled on the visual cortex, she argued that our concepts – from the most mundane, concrete ideas utilized in everyday speech to the most abstract ideas of mathematics – are mostly images, albeit coded and perceived in linguistic form. Apart from epistemology, Magda’s academic interests include contemporary French philosophy, psychoanalysis, and visual arts.

Dr Krzysztof Wolański
MA Sociology, University of Warsaw
MA Philosophy, University of Warsaw
PhD Philosophy, Polish Academy of Sciences

Krzysztof Wolański is a teacher with an interdisciplinary approach to humanities and many years of experience in teaching literature, philosophy and sociology in high school and at university level. He is also a researcher and author of two books. ‘Sędzia Schreber. Bóg, nerwy i psychoanaliza’ (2012) constitutes an attempt at understanding modern subjectivity through the psychoanalytic theory of psychosis. ‘Sport nie istnieje’ (2018, co-written with Janek Sowa) is focused on the ways the spectacle of sport explains contemporary society.

Simon Bradley
BA, University of Leicester
MA, Vilnius University

History teacher.

Dr Keith Walmsley received his initial degree in French and Russian before pursuing postgraduate study in Russian Literature. His Master’s course focused on the periods of Romanticism and Symbolism, and his PhD thesis investigated the role of the fairy tale in the development of the early Russian novel. His research has been published in the Slavonic and East European Review, and he has presented papers at various universities including Cambridge, Oxford, St Andrews and Princeton. Whilst at St. Andrews he taught Russian translation and literature courses and ran a weekly grammar workshop. His interests expand to all areas of foreign language teaching and he currently holds other certificates in “Teaching English as a Second Language in Mainstream Classrooms” and in “La Formation initiale à l’approche neurolinquistique de l’ensieignement des langues étrangères”.

Dr Elena Jaime Jiménez
PhD Hispanic Linguistics, The Ohio State University
MA Spanish Literature/Linguistics, West Virginia University
MA Arabic and Hebrew Cultures, Past and Present, University of Granada
BA  (Hons) Translation and Interpretation, University of Granada

Elena Jaime Jiménez graduated from the University of Granada with a BA Hons in Translation and Interpretation (English and Arabic), and then completed her MA in Arabic and Hebrew cultures, with a focus on Arabic and Islamic culture and religion. Elena then arrived in the US as Fulbright scholar and settled there for nine years, where she completed her MA and PhD in Spanish literature and linguistics, while teaching Spanish and linguistics at the university. Her PhD dissertation investigates the variable use of second-person plural pronouns in Andalusian Spanish. Her research has been published in Revista Internacional de Lingüística Iberoamericana, and she has presented papers at international conferences, including at the University of Innsbruck, Texas Tech University, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Beyond teaching and linguistics research, Elena enjoys playing the Spanish classical guitar, is a dedicated martial arts practitioner, as well as an amateur astronomer.

Beata Mroczek
MA German, University of Warsaw
MA English Teaching Language, University of Warsaw

Beata obtained a Master’s degree in German – the faculty of Neofilology at the University of Warsaw and graduated from Philology, speciality English Language Teaching at the University of Warsaw. To develop her skills as a teacher she took part in many workshops. She also gained a scholarship in Berlin of Goethe Institut Warschau for German Teachers.

Teaching German has always been her big passion and she has never missed opportunities to gain new experiences teaching on different levels and different kinds of schools. She worked at different public and private secondary schools in Warsaw.

In her free time, she likes reading and travelling with her family to meet different people and culture, to get inspired by them.

Anna Głowacka
MA French Studies (Language, Literature and Linguistics), University of Warsaw

After completing her French Studies (she also studied Social Sciences), Anna has devoted herself to an academic carrier at her alma mater where she taught linguistics. She then decided to start teaching French in high school and for many years she worked at the IB 1531 school in Warsaw. Anna gained experience though scholarships and training (e.g. The French Government Scholarships – Nantes, Besancon, Paris). She is the author of the numerous Polish adaptations of the French textbooks, a member of the jury of the French Olympics for the high school students, an examiner – verifier for the Polish matura and an experienced teacher in IB, AL, IGCSE programmes. In association with the French publishing houses, she has conducted many workshops for teachers. Her other passion is translating: Anna is the translator of many novels and specialized texts, especially from the domain of the history of art.  Awarded with the Medal of the National Education Commission.

Dr Vladislava Reznyk
MA in English and French Philology, Foreign Pedagogy and Translation, Donetsk State University
PhD in Russian Linguistics, University of Strathclyde/ University of Exeter

Passionate about foreign languages and cultures from early childhood, Vladislava completed her undergraduate degree in English and French languages in her native Ukraine, before moving to Scotland to study for a PhD in Russian linguistics. Her thesis focused on Russian intellectual history and sociology of language and, more precisely, on the development of early Soviet sociolinguistics in the 1920s and 1930s. Vladislava carried out a postdoctoral research project in Lausanne, Switzerland, and taught Russian language, literature and culture in a number of British institutions, including University of Glasgow, UCL and Durham University. Apart from teaching Russian, Vladislava works as translator and interpreter and has recently contributed to a project at the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland by designing a set of language tests for standardised language proficiency examinations. Vladislava enjoys an active lifestyle, a good read and a good sense of humour.

Dr Anna Jędrzejczyk

Stefano Nardone

Nuria Nunes-Casamayor

Katarzyna Borzym has experience studying in a multinational environment, having participated in two exchange programmes: at Northeastern Illinois University in the USA (2011) and at the Management Development Institute in India (2012). She completed a summer internship in the Department of Global Business Services at Procter & Gamble. Katarzyna is currently a PhD candidate at Warsaw School of Economics, specialising in behavioural economics. She is also the author of several research articles and co-author of many publications in Poland.

As Head of the Social Sciences Department, Katarzyna draws upon her knowledge from various educational contexts to show her students the great potential of an interdisciplinary approach. She created the Economics course bearing in mind that the challenges of contemporary world require flexibility, curiosity, and ambition.

Katarzyna is a backpacking and reading enthusiast. She has visited more than fifty countries so far, but her favourite place on earth is her home town, Drohiczyn, located in the eastern part of Poland. Her biggest dreams are to write a best-selling novel and to visit New Zealand.

Faculty of Social Sciences:

Tijana Kovanovic
MA Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade
IPGCE  Geography, University of East London

Head of Geography

Tijana has been teaching high school geography for over 16 years and is proud of having achieved a high success rate in preparing students for IGCSE and A-Level exams. Teaching geography has allowed Tijana to combine a love for Earth sciences with her interest in how humans inhabit and interact with the physical world and her commitment to exploring these topics with her students. She is particularly interested in volcanoes and other natural hazards, as well as new trends in urban development and hopes to engage with her students on thinking about a better future for our cities.

In addition to teaching geography, Tijana is an assessment specialist for OCR and CAIE exam boards and a volunteer for USGS. When not organising her rock collection, Tijana can be found organising her next amazing trip.

Łukasz Atowski
MA University of Social Science and Humanities, Warsaw;
PhD CANDIDATE Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Polish Academy of Sciences

At Akademeia Łukasz teaches Psychology.

Ann Donald
BSc (Hons), MSc, PGCE; Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town

Ann teaches Geography and Introduction to Sociology of Science.

Dominika Fiołna
BA (Hons) Sociology, Brown University
MSc Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina

Dominika received her IB diploma focused on Psychology, Biology, and Theatre Studies from the United World College of India. She then completed her undergraduate degree at Brown University in the United States, where she was awarded honours in Sociology for her thesis looking at young women’s attitudes towards contraception and sexual education in Poland. Dominika continued her graduate education at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina (UNC), earning a Master of Science degree in Health Policy and Management. Due to her continuing research interest in women’s health and family planning, Dominika completed a UNC-FHI360 Research Fellowship before returning to Poland to share her passions with Akademeia students. She teaches sociology, psychology and co-leads health and prevention workshops. Dominika also fills the role of the Head of Sixth Form, supporting Year 12 and Year 13 students and their mentors in preparing for higher education.

Liam Higgins
BA (Hons) Economics, University of Leeds
PGCSE, University of Sunderland

UK Careers and University adviser.

Monika Koblak
MA Applied Linguistics, University of Warsaw
MA Sociology, University of Warsaw
Postgraduate studies in Philosophy and Ethics, University of Warsaw

Monika Koblak is an experienced English and theory of knowledge teacher. Apart from teaching, she cooperates with non-governmental organisations concerned with science and education. Monika has organised numerous interdisciplinary workshops for both teachers and students. These have been devoted to citizen science, the scientific method, open science and education, free and open licences, rules of editing Wikipedia articles, and dismantling fake news.

Homer Shahnamy
BSc in Accounting and Finance, University of Bristol
MSc Economics, University of London

Homer is a Bristol University graduate having completed a BSc in Accounting and Finance. After spending some time working in various finance roles in the City of London, he went on to study a Master’s degree in Economics at the University of London, Birkbeck- Here his research focused on how monetary injections can influence macroeconomic variables in the UK.

After completing his MSc, he stayed in education and taught at several tutorial colleges in London delivering a range of subjects including Economics, Accounting and Business.

Kinga Stańczuk
BA French Studies, University of London
MA Intellectual History and Political Thought, University College London

Kinga Stańczuk is a politics teacher and intellectual historian. She completed her studies at the University of London, graduating with a BA in French Studies (QMUL) and an MA in Intellectual History and Political Thought (UCL). She also completed a year at the Sorbonne IV University in Paris and a scholarship at Kings College, Cambridge, where she worked on her dissertation on the philosophy of education. She worked as a trade-union and political campaigner in both the UK and Poland, cooperating with a number of NGOs and non-profit organisations.

Aleksandra Wołek
LLB, SOAS University of London
L.L.M, University of Cambridge
LPC, University of Law, London

Aleksandra Wołek teaches A Level Sociology and Media, and runs the after school Law Club and the LNAT preparation classes.

Aleksandra also fills the role of the Head of Boarding, overseeing the operations of the school’s boarding facilities and providing pastoral care to over 30 students from 7 different countries.

Aleksandra is an England & Wales-qualified solicitor, specialising in employment law, with a particular expertise in sex and race discrimination claims. Aleksandra is a civil litigator holding the Higher Rights of Audience – she has represented public sector institutions, including central and local government authorities, across various Courts and Tribunals in England, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Aleksandra is also interested in critical legal theories, especially feminist jurisprudence.

Jakub Mikoszewski’s PhD thesis was related to steroid compounds in plasma membranes, including their metabolism in vivo and in vitro. During his four years as a PhD student, Jakub conducted numerous seminars and student laboratory tutorials, in addition to presenting the results of his research as an international conference participant twice. He has 13 years of experience in the IB programme (including Biology HL, SL, and as an EE supervisor) and 16 years of experience as a teacher, tutor, and health and prevention workshop leader.

Faculty of Natural Sciences:

Dr Mark Baynes
BSc (Hons) Biology, University of East Anglia
DPhil Evolutionary Biology, Wadham College, Oxford

A keen natural historian from an early age, Mark formalised his passion reading biology as an undergraduate and then taking a DPhil in evolutionary study. Although the necessary election of just one area for PhD research was almost painful, he was finally drawn towards the world of mate selection (adaptive behaviour and phenotype in competitive scenarios). Mark maintains an academic appetite for all things cellular with a particular susceptibility towards amphibian and bird biology and adaptive games. In terms of teaching experience, he has held tenure at Charterhouse School, tutored privately in London, and finally served as principle biologist at Padworth College – an international college in Southern England. When not distracted by the natural aesthetic, Mark enjoys reading, playing funk bass, fly-fishing, film, and pop music.

Maksymilian Głowacki
MA, Inter-faculty Individual Studies in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Warsaw

Maksymilian is passionate about natural sciences. Ever since he finished primary school, he has taken part in a lot of competitions and olympiads in biology, chemistry, programming, physics and mathematics, which has led him to one of the top universities in Poland. He approaches science in an interdisciplinary manner, connecting areas from quantum chemistry, through radiobiology and medical physics to astrophysics. Maksymilian is currently in the final year of his BSc programme, both in Physics and Astronomy.  He runs a couple of electives in Akademeia, such as Physics Club, Biochemistry and Advanced Chemistry.

Dr Nataliya Marchyk
BSc Chemistry, Belarusian State University
MSc Chemistry, of National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
PhD Biotechnology, Compiègne University of Technology (France)

After achieving her BSc from one of the best universities in Belarus, Nataliya attended a master’s program in Chemistry at the Institute of Research Training while concurrently undertaking research work at the Institute of New Materials of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Nataliya’s research interest was focused on the preparation and analysis of polymer-based composite films as models of lipid bilayers. Afterwards, she moved to France to attend a doctoral program at the Compiègne University of Technology, where she worked in close collaboration with the research group from the University of Applied Sciences in Jena (Germany) and the research group from the University of Picardie Jules Verne (Amiens, France). Nataliya’s research interest was focused on the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers specific to a certain target molecule and their application in biomonitoring and diagnostics. Her great interest in an interdisciplinary approach stems from these experiences – she is fascinated with how different disciplines can work in conjunction with each other to give answers to challenging questions and give rise to the appearance of new technologies, approaches, and strategies. Thus, she wants to show students that modern science is multi- and interdisciplinary, relying on the whole spectrum of knowledge, and should not limited to any one particular subject. Answers can be found everywhere, if you just look.

Adam Markiewicz
BSc Physics, University of Warsaw
MSc Physics, University of Warsaw

After obtaining an IB diploma Adam studied physics at the University of Warsaw where he received a master’s degree with a specialization in cosmology and theory of fundamental interactions. In pursuit of an understanding of the inner workings of the Universe, he entered a PhD programme where he is currently researching the role of the early Universe dynamics on its present state. Together with his scientific career, Adam has been following his passion for teaching. He has 13 years of experience as a tutor and a support teacher in the IB programme. As part of his PhD, he also taught various university-level courses. Free time Adam spends working on his VW Beetle or on a figure skating practice.

Dr Giovanni Peralta
MSc Physics, University of Cagliari
PhD Physics, King’s College London

Physicist, teacher of Physics and Mathematics. Born in Padria, north-west of Sardinia, Giovanni completed his studies at the University of Cagliari, graduating with a MSc in solid state physics with a thesis on “Jahn-Teller stabilisation of magnetic and orbital ordering in rocksalt CuO” under the supervision of Prof. Vincenzo Fiorentini and Dr Alessio Filippetti. In 2010, he moved to King’s College London, where he undertook and completed PhD studies under the supervision of Prof. Alessandro De Vita and Dr James Kermode, investigating the mechanism of fracture in brittle materials by means of computer simulations using a hybrid quantum-mechanical and classical-mechanical model. As part of his PhD duties, he had the chance to supervise several undergraduate and master students in research projects on fracture modelling, attended conferences, and organised physics talks. From January 2013 to June 2015, he lectured Mathematics and Physics at Kaplan International College London to pre-undergraduate and pre-master students, coordinating all mathematics modules. In July 2015, he joined Akademeia in Warsaw, where to date he has been teaching Physics and Mathematics to both A Level and iGCSE students.

Tomasz Cebo
BSc, MSc, University of Technology, University of Edinburgh
PhD candidate, University of Cambridge

Tomasz Cebo is an interdisciplinary scientist with an interest in education and science popularisation. After graduating from Edinburgh University with a first class Master’s degree in Chemical Physics, he embarked on an ambitious PhD in Nanotechnology Engineering at Cambridge University. During his research, he developed a 3D graphene structure with the smallest curvature ever achieved – paving the way for better batteries.
Tomasz’s ventures in Cambridge included laboratory demonstrations, supervisions and mentoring several applicants to UK universities. As past president of the Cambridge University Polish Society, he has organised many meet-ups and extracurricular activities to catch a breath from academic work with the members.
In his spare time, Tomasz enjoys coaching individuals in his favourite sports: gliding and skiing.  He also enjoys piano playing, hillwalking and reading a good book.

Dr Magdalena Kuśmierczak
MA, PhD Biology, University of Gdańsk

Magda received her PhD in neurobiology in 2011 from the University of Gdańsk and continued her research in this field as a postdoc trainee in Quebec, where she investigated structural consequences of brain damage. She also graduated from the Institute of English and American Studies at the University of Gdańsk. Magda has experience as an IB biology teacher and she likes to use various didactic methods to make the course material student friendly and understandable. In her private time, she enjoys watching movies and travelling with friends. She is a happy owner of cats and is interested in animal welfare.

Dariusz Aksamit
MSc Medical Physics, Warsaw University of Technology

Medical physicist from the Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, researcher and science communicator, head of council and founder of polish chapter of March for Science Foundation. Formerly vice-CTO at the Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection, senior research and development officer at the Innovation Management and Technology Transfer Center (WUT), animator at the Copernicus Science Center, President of the Science Advocates Association, volunteer at the Atomic Forum Foundation. He awarded “Science Communicator of the Year” title for 2018 from Polish Press Agency Science in Poland (PAP Nauka w Polsce) and Ministry of Science and Higher Education.  At every day work he deals with applications of ionizing radiation in medicine and 3D print, radiation measurements and radiological protection, collaborating, among others, with the Oncology Center-Institute and the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology. In Akademeia he teaches Physics.

Jakub Kałęcki
MSc, University of Warsaw
PhD candidate, Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS

Lab Manager

Peter Kowalski, as an undergraduate student in Mathematics at University College London (UCL), developed a passion for mathematical modelling and how mathematical models are used to explore real world phenomena. He subsequently went on to complete a PhD in the Department of Mathematics at UCL, which involved using a hierarchy of mathematical models to quantify the effect of dynamical factors, such as ocean circulation, on sea surface temperature. Since the completion of his PhD, Peter has continued to pursue his research interests at Imperial College London. His current research is aimed at discovering new mechanisms that influence the sea surface height on decadal timescales, with a view to furthering our understanding of how the climate system varies.

Prior to joining Akademeia High School Peter was teaching mathematics from GCSE to A Level in the United Kingdom. As a doctoral student at UCL he also acted as a mentor to undergraduate students and led undergraduate tutorials in applied mathematics.

Faculty of Mathematics:

Paweł Chróstowski
BSc Automation and Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology
MSc Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology
MA Physical Education, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw
PhD candidate Biomechanics, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw

Over the course of his education, Paweł successfully participated in several mathematics competitions and Olympiads. Counting and solving puzzles always came naturally to him, and his love for them made it impossible to imagine a future unrelated to the exact sciences. Paweł has been giving private lessons in mathematics and physics ever since he started university. Sport has always been another of Paweł’s passions. During his studies at the Warsaw University of Technology, he decided to fulfil his dream and simultaneously started pedagogical studies at the Warsaw Academy of Physical Education, where he received his teaching qualifications and football coaching license, among others. This unusual combined education brought him to Akademeia, which is a place where he can incorporate both his technical and pedagogical education as a teacher of mathematics and as a mentor. Currently, Paweł is pursuing a PhD. His research interest focuses on biomechanics, in particular kinematics and the dynamics of human movement. He has not resigned from sport – he plays football in a Warsaw league team. Paweł is an expert in the field of statistics and he enjoys topics related to probability, particularly in practical contexts and their use in everyday life.

Monika Klimczak-Gromska
MA Mathematics, University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Torun

Monika graduated in Mathematics from the University of Nicolaus Copernicus in Toruń where she received her MA with distinction. She then completed four years of PhD studies at the Faculty of Mathematics, specialising mainly in the field of distribution theory. As a PhD student, she published articles about the properties of kth record statistics and took part in many statistical conferences. Monika is also a postgraduate student of accounting from the Warsaw School of Economics. She is an experienced maths teacher who has been teaching across all key stages of study since 2005, including preparations for IGCSE as well as IB SL and HL Mathematics exams. Monika is also a qualified IB Examiner for marking Math SL papers. She is joining us from The British School of Warsaw, where she was Head of Mathematics for one year.

Marcin Bartnik
BSc (Hons), Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Having first studied Physics, then Computer Science at universities in Poland, Marcin graduated from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, gaining BSc Hons in Mathematics with Professional Education. After graduating, Marcin taught Maths in high schools in Scotland for nine years. He has been keenly involved in presenting pupils for competitions, organising outdoor trips, running extra clubs. Away from teaching, he is proficient at playing the piano, guitar, and saxophone. He also reads works in philosophy and theology, and enjoys regular exercise like running, swimming, and playing team sports.

Landon Basham
BA Antropology, University of Kentucky
MA Learning Science, Northwestern University

Landon’s work in STEM education began in 2005 when he taught mathematics to undergraduates, while a student himself, at the University of Kentucky where he received his BA in Anthropology. He continued his research into STEM curriculum and instruction while earning an MA in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University. Landon’s educational career has led him to work as an instructor, admissions advisor, and school designer in cities around the US such as Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Denver. Landon is currently pursuing an MS in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Learning Analytics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in order to continue bridging educational gaps and eliminating inequities in the STEM environment, at both local and global scales, by providing more holistic stories to student data.

Ron Fränzel
BSc Mathematics ans Sport Science, Leibniz University Hanover
MEd Mathematics and Sport Science, Leibniz University Hanover

After graduating from Leibniz Universität Hanover in Germany, Ron moved to the United States in 2016 and began his teaching career at Cambridge High School in the state of Georgia, where he lead the Algebra II department and taught Algebra I and Honors Precalculus as well. In addition, Ron coached girls volleyball and was the Faculty Sponsor for the Red Cross Club. He thoroughly enjoys working with students and always strives to challenge them to be successful at advanced levels. Outside of the classroom, he is a soccer player, a guitar player and a dog lover.

Dr Paweł Józiak
BA, MA, PhD, University of Wrocław

Since his studies at University of Wrocław, Paweł was always engaged in an international community, e.g. during his programme at Institut Henri Poincaré, a mathematics research institute and part of Sorbonne University in Paris. After graduation, he moved to Warsaw to continue his scientific endeavor at Institute of Mathematics, Polish Academy of Sciences (2013-2017). He first joined Akademeia part time in 2016 and also started a career as a Data Scientist with Applica in 2017, while still being present within academic structures  – with Warsaw University of Technology. In September 2021 he became a full time Computer Science Teacher with Akademeia, which finalizes Paweł’s evolution into computer-oriented mathematician.

Dr James Poole
BSc (Hons) Mathematics, Loughborough University 
PhD Mathematics Risk and Reliability, Loughborough University
PGCE Mathematics Secondary School, University of East London

James graduated with a Mathematics Degree with Honours at Loughborough University in the UK where he was an IMA (The Institute of Mathematics and its Application) prize winner for scoring one of the highest results in the final examinations. Through his passion and joy of Mathematics he went on to complete a PhD in Applied Mathematics, which was sponsored by BAE systems. His research developed a new mathematical method, which is more efficient for calculating the risk and reliability of a phase mission system for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in real time. James is an experience Mathematics teacher who has taught the British Curriculum (GCSEs and A Levels) and International Baccalaureate Curriculum (Middle Years and Diploma Program). Before joining Akademeia High School he worked in the United Arab Emirates at an outstanding IB school where he taught Higher Level Mathematics – Analysis and Approaches, as well as Applications and Interpretations.

Zelimir Jovicic
MA Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade

Zelimir has been avidly engaged with mathematics – and teaching mathematics – from an early age. This enthusiasm prompted him, when still a high-school student, to become a private teacher of the subject. Since then, he has carved a career as a mathematician. Immediately after university, he entered the teaching profession. Now he is a highly experienced teacher and examiner of Cambridge iGCSE and Advanced Level Mathematics. He also specializes in preparing individual students for the International Baccalaureate, SATs, as well as other national systems and the Nebraska Standards. His active membership of MENSA helps him maintain his analytical brain in top form.

He keeps himself fit by pursuing a range of sporting activities:  tennis, table tennis, football, visiting the gym and cycling; he is a holder of the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certificate. In his calmer moments, he takes long walks with his Golden Retriever dog, Benji, and indulges his passion for the Star Wars films.

Tymoteusz Zdunek
BSc Mathematics, Warsaw University of Technology
MSc Mathematics, University of Warsaw

Fifth Form Mathematics Coordinator

Faculty of Art & Design:

Sophie Lowden
BA, Camberwell College of Arts
PGCE, Goldsmiths University of London

Passionate about photography from a young age, Sophie moved from France to London in 2011 to study at Camberwell College of Arts. She earned a BA Hons in Fine Art Photography in 2014. After completing her degree, Sophie worked in different schools in London before deciding to pursue a career in education. She studied for a PGCE in Art and Design with a specialism in photography at Goldsmiths University of London. Throughout her studies and years of working in schools, Sophie developed her enthusiasm for the darkroom and alternative photography processes. Since completing her PGCE, she has travelled North America and Australia, learning new photography techniques and discovering different cultures. As well as analogue photography, she has a keen interest in deserted landscapes and tries to show the raw beauty of the planet through her work.

Gosia Rygalik
MA Design Department, Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts
Danmarks Designskole, Copenhagen

Gosia graduated from the Design Department at Warsaw’s Academy of Fine Arts (2010 MA). She also studied at Danmarks Designskole and gained her first professional design experience in Copenhagen. During her time studying in Warsaw, she was a member of the PG13 platform – responding to experimental design briefs as well as exhibiting, organizing, and taking part in design workshops, competitions, and industry supported projects. The relationship between design and food is an important field of her theoretical research as well as design practice. In 2009 she joined Studio Rygalik, becoming a partner in 2012.

Magdalena Strzelczak
Curator of Art Studio
BA Fine Art, University of Lancaster
MA Art Museum and Gallery Studies, University of Leicester

Magdalena specialised in sculpture and installation art, receiving her Bachelor Degree in Fine Art from the University of Lancaster. Her academic research focused on the growing interrelation between the roles of artist and curator. She graduated with distinction from the School of Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. Her Master’s thesis explored the state of contemporary arts conservation and its implications for institutional collecting. Since 2011, she has worked in various curatorial capacities delivering exhibitions, performances, and educational programmes– amongst others at The Hyde Park Art Center (USA), the New Art Gallery Walsall (UK), and Cricoteka (Poland). Magda is actively engaged in supporting initiatives tied to the third sector. She has worked for non-governmental organizations in both Poland and Uganda, running projects connected to micro-finance, art education, and copyright. Magda is a vocal advocate for the public domain and the free culture movement, which promotes freedom to distribute and modify creative works in the form of free content. She is particularly interested in the changing function of appropriation as a strategy to shape distinct realms of visual culture.

Anna Tryc-Bromley
MFA Graphic Design, Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts

Anna holds a Master’s degree from Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. She has also studied visual communication at the Minerva Academy, Netherlands, and her paintings have been shown in both group and individual exhibitions. Anna holds certificates in History of Visual Culture of India, Oxford University, and Growing Art Businesses in the Global Economy, Sotheby’s Institute. Anna was the first Director of the Polish Institute in New Delhi (2012-2015), responsible for cultural and public diplomacy within the South Asian region. As a result of her tenure, Polish artists and curators began to collaborate with key visual arts institutions in India and Bangladesh. These include the Khoj Association in Delhi, Kochin-Muziris Biennale, Experimenter Curator’s Hub in Kolkata, and the Dhaka Art Summit organized by Samdani Art Foundation. In the role of Deputy Director of the Polish Cultural Institute in London (2006-2011), Anna developed Poland’s cultural presence in the United Kingdom. Among projects she instigated and produced were London Creatives – Polish Roots (Museum of London), a retrospective exhibition of Roman Cieślewicz (Royal College of Art), and the book “Scotland and Poland: historical encounters 1500-2010”, edited by prof. Tom Devine and Dr. David Hesse (Birlinn). Recently, Anna was Head of Communications for Warsaw’s Museum of Modern Art, opening the Museum on the Vistula and its subsequent exhibitions. Anna has a keen interest in South Asian art and visual culture. She is currently researching a book on Polish women travellers from the 18th to the 20th century.

Aleksandra Wittchen
BA (Hons) Music, University of Cambridge (Trinity College)
Vocal and Acting Studies, Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw

Aleksandra completed her A Levels at Clifton College in Bristol, where she was awarded a scholarship. She earned her undergraduate degree in music at the University of Cambridge (Trinity College), where she sang with the Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. Aleksandra frequently appeared as a soloist during the choir’s international tours and CD recordings. In addition to her work at Akademeia, Aleksandra is currently pursuing a degree in vocal and acting studies at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, under the tutelage of prof. Jolanta Janucik. In her musicological studies, Aleksandra is particularly interested in character development in Classicist and Romantic opera, and the composers of the Young Poland movement.

Kevin Green (visiting)
BA, The Bartlett School of Architecture
MA Sculpture, Royal College of Art

Born in Montreal, Kevin Green graduated with an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art having previously studied at the Bartlett School of Architecture. He previously worked for La Machine while working collaboratively on international competitions including winning the Front Room Gallery sculpture competition in New York and the International Prix de la Sculpture for Noilly Prat, France. He has had numerous exhibitions across London. He co-founded a London based architecture and design association; STORE and has been a visiting tutor at Greenwich, RCA, AA and London Met; he currently teaches at the Bartlett.

Przemo Łukasik (visiting)
Architecture, Silesian University of Technology
Architecture, Ecole d’Architecture Paris-Villemin in Paris

Przemo studied architecture at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice (Poland) and at Ecole d’Architecture Paris-Villemin in Paris (France). After graduating, he worked at P.P. Pabel Architekten in Berlin, Jean Nouvel Architecture in Paris, and Odile Decq / Benoit Cornette in Paris. In 1997 he established his own practice along with Łukasz Zagala: medusagroup. In 2008 he was a visiting professor at Ecole Speciale d’Architecture in Paris (France).

Kacper Zasada

Julia Seeholzer