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EXUPERY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

+371 266 22 333

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+371 266 22 333

EIS Primary School Homeroom Teacher

Bridget Clyma

Meet our Superheroes

By Marianna Hodash
Photographed by Sergey Skopintsev. The publication also includes photographs from a personal archive.

August 27, 2024

At Exupery International School, we believe that teaching is one of this planet's most complex and important jobs. Teaching is lifelong learning. It involves compassion, curiosity, and a sense of humor while being trustworthy, caring, intelligent, and disciplined. That is why we think our teachers are superheroes, and want to introduce you to them through the "Meet Our Superheroes" series of interviews.

Meet Bridget Clyma, our Primary School Homeroom Teacher from Kansas, USA. With a degree in elementary education and a focus on mathematics, Bridget's teaching journey has taken her from the United States to Ireland and now to Latvia. She thrives on the energy of young students, creating a classroom environment where they feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.

Outside the classroom, Bridget enjoys following the NFL, particularly her favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Her enthusiasm for the strategy and teamwork involved in football reflects her approach to teaching —always planning, adapting, and supporting her students to help them succeed.

In addition to her love for football, Bridget loves reading, exploring new cultures, and singing so much that she couldn't resist joining a local Latvian choir! Her passion for education and knack for diving into new experiences (and new songs) make her a treasured member of the EIS community.

— Please share your overall work experience and how long you have worked as a teacher.

— I graduated from Indiana University in the USA with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and an additional license in Mathematics. While at university, I completed my student teaching in a Kindergarten classroom in the USA and taught Secondary Mathematics in Dublin, Ireland. This is my first year as a fully qualified teacher and my first year at EIS teaching Grade 1. I look forward to continuing in Grade 1 this academic year!

— What motivated you to choose to teach elementary education, rather than another grade level?

— As someone who has taught in both elementary and secondary schools, I have had the opportunity to try many different things. I have found that the early elementary years, specifically Kindergarten and Grade 1, are some of my favorites to teach. The students are new to the school and are so excited to learn and grow. They are very curious, love to ask questions, and share personal anecdotes that make every day fun and exciting!

— And what inspired you to move to Latvia and join the team at Exupery International School?

— My mother attended international schools, so I had heard her stories throughout my childhood. When I decided to be a teacher, I knew that international teaching would combine my two passions: education and learning about new cultures. That being said, when I got the offer to teach in Latvia and join the EIS community, I knew it would be a fantastic opportunity to start my international teaching journey. I am so thankful I did. EIS has been the best place to grow into this position, and I have learned so much from the incredible community of educators, parents, and students!

— From your perspective, what is the most essential aspect of your work?

— Creating a positive classroom environment is one of the most crucial parts of my teaching practice. Building a classroom where students feel safe and welcomed is always my top priority to ensure my students feel confident in sharing their learning and ideas with me and their classmates. This not only makes our classroom a great place to learn but also truly feels like a community where we can support each other and grow together.

— Are there any challenges you encounter in your role as a teacher?

— I am sure many teachers would agree with me if I said that one of the biggest challenges is fitting everything into our short time together in Grade 1. So much learning happens every day that it can be pretty challenging to ensure we cover everything by the end of the school year. However, it is a significant problem when students are so excited about something that we need to dedicate extra time to inquire further!

— What is one thing you believe we could all learn from the youngest students?

— One of my favorite things about teaching Grade 1 is seeing how much they learn and grow throughout the year and how much I learn from them. While they are the youngest students in primary school, we can all learn a thing or two about curiosity, open-mindedness, kindness, and positivity from these kiddos. They come to school every day with such a joyous outlook on life and are ready to learn and grow, which adults often lose track of in our busy lives.

— Beyond teaching, what are your hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?

— I love travelling, reading, drinking coffee, running, watching NFL, and singing. Travel is much more accessible in Latvia than in the USA, so I always take the opportunity to explore new places and learn about different cultures whenever possible. Additionally, I participate in a local Latvian choir for expats, which has introduced me to some excellent Latvian songs!

— Oh, we’ve heard that you are indeed a big NFL fan! Is it true that you know all the players by name?

— Yes, I know all the players' names! And in addition to cheering on my NFL team, the Kansas City Chiefs, I also play Fantasy Football with my family and friends. It is one of my favorite activities in the fall. As soon as September hits, I am constantly watching NFL games and checking the latest about the players on both teams I manage in Fantasy Football.

— Speaking of books, what is your favorite one that you would recommend to us?

— One of my favorite books is The Giver by Lois Lowry. I read that book for the first time in Grade 6 and have since returned to it three or four times. Every time I read it, I take something new away from it, which is one of my favorite parts about reading. Even though I am so familiar with the story, I enter the book with a new lens every time and always find myself finishing the story with a fresh perspective. If you have not read The Giver yet, it is one of my tried-and-true recommendations!

— And what is the story with the choir? How did you get involved in singing?

— Singing has always been a huge part of my family. From singing in the car with my dad growing up to performing in choirs and musicals in school, there was always music and singing in our household. I first joined a choir in Grade 5 and continued in it throughout middle and high school. I took a break during my time at university. When I moved to Latvia, it felt like the perfect time to reinvoke my passion for choral singing, considering Latvia's musical culture. Soon after my move here, I heard about a Latvian Choir for Expats where you get to meet people while singing Latvian songs, and I knew I had to be a part of it. With my choir, I have done small performances across the country, which has been such a blast. I love returning to my choir roots while learning popular Latvian songs!

hobbies of exupery primary school teacher

hobbies of a primary school teacher at the exupery school

— How was it to learn and sing your first song in Latvian?

— Oh! It was a challenge. When I joined the choir, older members already knew the song, and I had to simultaneously learn the melody while stumbling through the words in a new language. It took a lot of focus and time, but I am happy to say that I can finally stumble through Tikai tā!

— Could you share your biggest dreams or aspirations with us?

— My biggest goals are to travel the world and grow in my teaching practice. I have been fortunate to get a jump start on both early in my career, and I look forward to new opportunities to combine these two interests. I strive to be a lifelong learner, always seeking new ways to better myself and educate my students even more!

— And finally, what would be your advice to an aspiring teacher?

— My advice to an aspiring teacher would be never to stop learning! As cliche as it sounds, teachers are lifelong learners, especially considering that research and best practices constantly change. Be ready to ask for help and learn from more experienced colleagues who might have fresh perspectives and different ways to approach something. Be prepared to adapt and challenge your current mindset, as every student is different. Teaching is hard, but it is such a rewarding career that truly never has a dull moment!

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