Go back

News | 06 September 2024

Who is Melinda Sjölander?

It's time to get to know all the teachers and staff at IES Norrtälje! Next up is preschool class teacher Melinda Sjölander.

What did you do before you started at IES Norrtälje?
I have worked at Norrgärdsskolan Norra's fritids and as a music teacher in Norrtälje adapted primary school for several years, and now most recently at adapted primary school's fritids.

What’s the best thing about your job?
The best part about my job is being among all the wonderful students and seeing them develop in all sorts of different ways.

What are you most looking forward to in the autumn?
It's fun to be part of a brand-new school from the beginning. But most of all, I'm looking forward to getting to know all the students.

Which one is your favourite song right now?
I love Abba, so any song by Abba.

Do you have any pets?
Not right now, but I've previously had two cats and two rabbits.

Tell something about yourself not many people know.
I love singing karaoke, especially schlager or Disney songs. I'm a living karaoke machine, say a word and I promise I'll start singing a song that contains that word.

What was your favourite subject in school?
Music and English.

Do you have any dreams for the future?
Being in a professional choir would be really cool and a dream for me. I also want to travel to New York and Hawaii to collect experiences and memories.

What do you do outside of work?
I sing in two different choirs: Lohärads church choir and the pop choir Joyvoice. Then I meet my friends often and my family, and I like to spend a lot of time with my two nieces.

What do you do to peak the children's interest and desire to learn new things?
I try to do something that the students find fun and interesting by working practically, playing games, etc. And not just working with books or stencils. It's important to offer different learning styles and activate all senses. If I like the subject or task myself, I become enthusiastic and then the students become more interested.

What is your favourite memory with your students?
I have many good memories, so it's hard to choose one. But among the best things I've been able to be part of is when I've had new students who have it a bit tough with their emotions and easily get angry, who don't want to tell anyone or want to be alone when they're angry, and I notice that they start to let me in and talk to me or listen when I talk to them. Another nice memory was when I had a student who had trouble to relax because they always wanted to be the best at everything. We did lots of pranks on people, and I saw how much fun they thought it was to be a little mischievous.