eTwinning workshop - Succeeding in basic skills through project-based learning

With a master's degree in education, Ginta brings 19 years of experience as an early years teacher, specialising in working with children aged 2 to 6 years old. She has worked as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Coordinator at the International School of Riga for the last 10 years. Her role is to support early years and primary school teachers as they strive to provide inquiry-based learning experiences for their pupils, as well as to ensure that the school implements International Baccalaureate curriculum standards and practices. In addition, she contributed to the Skola2030 (School2030) curriculum development project as a Senior Expert. Her role was to develop teacher support materials and professional development workshops. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep interest in how children learn, and she is passionate about creating educational experiences that cater to their developmental needs and curiosity.

Paula Walshe is a published author, Assistant Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at South East Technological University in Carlow, Ireland and a PhD candidate at Dundalk Institute of Technology. Her PhD research focuses on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths) in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Paula's most recent book, entitled "Full STEAM Ahead" is a practical guide to implementing STEAM in the early years.

Tatiana Polo is a primary teacher at CEIP La Gaviota, a school located in a small village near Madrid, Spain. Her school holds the eTwinning School Label and has been recognized for Erasmus+ Good Practices. She has earned several national and European quality labels and was awarded the National Prize in 2020. Tatiana teaches mathematics, Spanish, science, technology and physical education, incorporating gamification into her lessons to enhance pupil engagement. She is the coordinator of eTwinning projects and a member of the Erasmus+ team at her school.

Concha Ramos is a primary school teacher and the headmistress of a public primary school in Zamora, Spain. She has been an active eTwinner since 2017, an eTwinning Ambassador since 2019 and an Erasmus coordinator since 2022. Her experience in eTwinning has been remarkable, earning 14 National Quality Labels, 11 European Quality Labels and the 2022 National Prize in the kindergarten section. Since 2019, her school has been recognised as the first and only eTwinning School in the province to date. She loves being part of this dynamic European community and values the magic of collaboration with colleagues in the inclusive world of eTwinning – a journey she never wants to miss!

Arita Lauka, MEd, has been an educator for 40 years. She has taught children aged 18 months to 18 years, as well as adults. She has also worked in local and international schools and preschools in Latvia, and has led teacher professional development workshops both locally and internationally. Arita has a passion for meaningful, inquiry-based integrated teaching and learning, and her main area of interest is language learning. Lately she has been an active participant in projects like eTwinning, Erasmus+ and Nordplus Junior. As part of Latvia’s state project Skola2030, funded by the government and the European Social Fund (ESF), she was involved in the development of a new curriculum and an improved approach to learning and professional development for ECEC and lower primary teachers. Arita loves to share her experience, skills and knowledge! 

Sonja Pribela-Hodap is an educational and developmental psychologist at a public kindergarten in Croatia. Her interests include children's wellbeing and the potential of gifted pupils in early education and kindergarten. She has been an eTwinner for 3 years and has participated in 4 eTwinning projects related to the topics of wellbeing of children, mindfulness practise, outdoor education and social-emotional learning.

Ignacio Casado Alda is a physical education and English language teacher in primary education. He also works as a pedagogical advisor in the International Department of the Spanish Ministry of Education, VET and Sports.

Marialena works as a pedagogical officer at European Schoolnet, for the European School Education Platform and eTwinning. Passionate about education, lifelong learning and innovative teaching, she designs and delivers online and onsite workshops, as well as online courses, empowering educators across Europe to enhance their skills and adopt modern pedagogical practices. Her educational interests focus on e-learning, adult education, intercultural education and child safety.

Sharon Abela Craus is a kindergarten educator with 22 years of experience in early childhood education. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to supporting early childhood development while fostering a positive, holistic and supportive learning environment. As the founder of several European eTwinning projects, she has promoted progressive learning, international collaboration and cultural exchange, leading educators from various European countries to create innovative learning experiences and foster cross-cultural understanding. As a continuation of her professional career, she has spent 14 years as Head of School at 'Summer Smiles' summer school, an extracurricular activity providing care and entertainment for approximately 200 children aged 2 to 12 each summer. Her enthusiasm for continuous professional growth and teamwork reflects her strong dedication to making a significant contribution to education.  

Rute Baptista is a pedagogue and currently acts as the Senior Professional Development Manager of the European School Education Platform and eTwinning in Brussels. She works closely with hundreds of thousands of teachers – supporting, coordinating and managing online and face-to-face professional development opportunities, and also as pedagogical consultant and project manager. She has worked in the Portuguese Ministry of Education for 8 years, dealing with European projects and ICT in education, having collaborated on several projects and initiatives on this topic at national level. Rute is a teacher trainer, and trains trainers in private companies in Portugal. She holds a degree in Pedagogy and is specialized in curriculum development and project coordination.