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News | 24 May 2024

Who is Misirlakis Xenofontas?

It's time to get to know all the teachers and staff who will meet the students at IES Norrtälje in the autumn! Next up is English teacher Misirlakis Xenofontas, who is passionate about teaching and loves cinnamon rolls.

What did you do before you started at IES Norrtälje?
Ever since I moved to Sweden in 2016 I have been studying to acquire and improve the Swedish language while simultaneously working as a substitute teacher at Freinetskolan Hugin Norrtälje. I have been working there ever since and as such I find it exciting to further develop my career as a teacher at IES Norrtälje.

What’s the best thing about your job?
As a teacher, I find no greater joy than seeing my students' personal growth. Even though the teacher's job can be challenging at times, the sense of seeing your students accomplish their goals is priceless.

What are you most looking forward to when the school has opened?
That would be meeting all the great coworkers and students, of course.

Which one is your favourite song right now?
My taste in music changes rather quickly but I would have to say “Cassandra” by Florence and the Machine, the Trojan priestess dedicated to the God Apollo and fated by him to utter true prophecies but never to be believed.

Do you have any pets?
I do not have any pets currently but would love to adopt a puppy (or maybe four) in the future.

Tell something about yourself not many people know.
While I claim to avoid eating sugar I secretly munch on kanelbullar and semlor when no one is watching.

What was your favourite subject in school?
I was always keen on speaking and reading English so I would have to say English as a foreign language.

Do you have any dreams for the future?
My dream is probably one of great triteness and that is to become a great teacher that students can rely on and also happily remember even when they themselves are adults. In other words, I want to be that one favourite teacher we all had when we were young.

What do you do outside of work?
When I'm not working I like training to release some built up tension and to help me gather my thoughts. I find doing any kind of athletic activity very mending for the soul.

What do you do to peak the children's interest and desire to learn new things?
In order to get students to show interest in learning one needs to be passionate about their job and show their students all the fun aspects that come with learning. Teaching can be loads of fun, when executed properly.

What is your favourite memory with your students?
During my second year of working at Hugin, we went ice-skating at the sports centre. Of course, myself being a complete novice since I am Greek, I was unable to traverse one meter before landing on my face. The ever so kind students of mine took it upon themselves to teach me how to balance properly. All I got in the end was a great number of bruises but also a big smile.