Some stories begin by chance, others by calling. In the case of Mrs. Anna Krupa, it was clear from the very beginning that her professional path would be connected with children.
"My grandmother was a preschool director, so topics related to upbringing and education have been part of my life since childhood. Children have always liked spending time with me, and I with them."
That natural connection with children turned over time into a conscious decision to choose this career path. Anna graduated from a high school with a psychology and pedagogy profile, where she could already observe the daily life of preschools.
Internships, trips, contact with children - all this only confirmed that she was on the right path. After her final exams, she began pedagogical studies at the University of Silesia, earning a master's degree.
Even before finishing her studies, after receiving her bachelor's degree, she joined the Przedszkole Integracyjne Barwny Świat Alter in Ruda Śląska.
"It was during the summer holidays, and I thought I’d like to try working with children - and that’s how it all started. Working in a preschool was definitely a perfect match, and after completing my master’s degree, I came back to Barwny Świat."
While many people associate the deputy director's role mainly with paperwork, in Anna’s case, it looks quite different.
"Apart from being a preschool group teacher, I also work as the deputy director. It’s very fluid - in the morning I’m with the children, but if other teachers need help, I go and support them. You can’t really separate these roles - it’s one shared heart of the preschool."
In her approach, a deputy director is not only a supervisor but also a supporter. She reviews lesson plans, creates work schedules, oversees the electronic diary, observes classes, and advises teachers.
"They can always come to me. I try to be there for them and offer help whenever needed."
Anna emphasizes that relationships with parents are also extremely important - something that clearly sets her apart.
"The first impression is crucial. I always try to be smiling, open, and kind. I want parents to feel they can count on me anytime. Listening, talking, finding solutions - that builds trust."
Although difficult situations are part of preschool life, Anna believes the key lies in empathy and communication. She often takes the initiative to talk to parents - chatting during pick-ups, sharing stories about their child’s day, or small joys and concerns.
"I don’t limit contact to parent meetings. I want parents to feel we are partners because we share the same goal - happy and safe children."
Ideas that Connect - How Play Became a Bridge Between Children and Parents
When you talk to Anna Krupa, it quickly becomes clear that her work is driven not only by experience but also by heart. She doesn’t stop at her daily duties as a teacher and deputy director - she constantly looks for ideas that engage both children and parents.
One of those ideas was a series of internal preschool challenges that became a real hit among families. Though they may seem like simple "lists of tasks" - summer, autumn, and advent editions - in reality, they meant much more.
"I wanted parents to spend time with their children, for those moments to be truly shared," says Anna.
In practice, each child received a list of seasonal activities. In autumn, they might collect colorful leaves, jump in puddles, or cook pumpkin soup together. In summer - set up a tent in the garden or fly a kite. During the winter season, there was an Advent calendar full of family tasks: baking gingerbread, decorating the Christmas tree, singing carols together.
"The point was to do these things together. Parents uploaded photos to our app, and children ticked off each task on their list. It was fun, but also a reminder of what matters most in the relationship with a child - presence."
The results exceeded expectations. Parents enthusiastically joined in, asked for new editions, and among the photos shared, the most common were those of children simply laughing with their mom or dad.
"That was the biggest success for me," admits Anna. "It wasn’t about competition but about shared moments. About stopping for a while and finding ways to be close to your child."
Although the contests were playful, Anna made sure every child felt proud to participate. After each cycle, children received diplomas and small gifts.
"The prizes were symbolic. What mattered most was that children could say: we did it together."
@naukaizabawa - An Instagram Profile that Inspires
Anna’s passion doesn’t end within preschool walls. Nauka i Zabawa (@naukaizabawa) - the name of her Instagram profile - was created while she was still in college, before she officially started teaching. Initially, it was a place to collect her ideas and inspirations: paper cups, plates, handmade teaching aids. Everything that might one day be useful in her work with children found its way there - and remains there to this day.
"I wanted to have my own base of ideas for the future, and at the same time, to keep them stored somewhere online - just for myself," she explains.
When she began working in preschool, the profile grew more active. Her first posts showed welcome medals for children, first parent meetings, classroom decorations, and later - everyday preschool activities.
Over time, when reels became popular on social media, Anna started creating short videos from preschool events such as Halloween or St. Andrew’s Day, always respecting image protection rules. Her Instagram became a place where teachers and parents can find inspiration - free materials, activity ideas, and creative classroom tips.
"Many teacher materials online are paid. I wanted my ideas to be available to everyone, free of charge," she says.
Sensoplastyka® Activities
Anna also conducts Sensoplastyka® classes - a certified method of sensory-based creative activities using edible materials. Their goal is to develop children’s creativity and engage all senses through free exploration.
During these sessions, children interact with foods of different textures, colors, and flavors. They can touch, mix, taste, observe, and share them freely. The essence of these classes is that children have full freedom - they decide what to do with the prepared materials.
Sensoplastyka® helps children develop creativity and social skills and supports those with food sensitivities. Children discover new products at their own pace through play, without pressure.
For example, a tomato might be served whole, blended, or mashed. Children gradually learn that it’s edible through their own sensory experience. What matters most is that children make their own decisions and feel comfortable at every step.
In this way, Sensoplastyka® helps children safely and freely explore the world through their senses, stimulating creativity and fostering a positive relationship with food.
Author’s Educational Innovation: "Keeping Up with Every Season"
Anna developed her own educational innovation called Keeping Up with Every Season. She first implemented it in her preschool to see how children would respond to the activities and whether the concept worked in practice.
The program aims to make children aware of the cyclical nature of the seasons - spring, summer, autumn, and winter - and to show that they repeat in a constant rhythm. The key element is not only theoretical learning but active participation in seasonal experiences.
Each season includes a set of themed tasks. In September, children make leaf bouquets and explore natural materials through sensory play. In winter, they paint and play with snow, while in summer they work with sand, shells, and water - creating "summer in a jar."
After seeing the program’s success, Anna decided to share it with teachers across Poland. She promoted it through teacher groups on social media and created a closed Facebook group where participants could follow updates, ask questions, and share their results.
The innovation is completely free. Each month, children complete two tasks according to a set schedule. Teachers document the results with photos in the group. At the end of the school year, participants complete an evaluation form and receive a certificate of participation.
The project has an important educational and developmental dimension - it encourages hands-on learning, sensory experiences, and creativity, helping children connect with nature and understand the world through exploration.
"Little Great Heroes" - How We Met Mrs. Anna
The Little Great Heroes initiative was created to share stories of exceptional preschool teachers whose passion and commitment inspire children, parents, and entire communities. It shows that everyday work in a preschool can be full of creativity, imagination, and heart - and that such stories are worth telling.
Mrs. Anna Krupa was nominated by one of the parents from her preschool, who wanted to share how her work impacts families and children. The nomination allowed her story to reach a wider audience - not to seek awards, but to inspire others.
Through Little Great Heroes, Anna presented her initiatives - family challenges, sensory play, and her educational innovation Keeping Up with Every Season - showing that preschool education can be full of passion, joy, and creativity.
Her story proves that preschool education is much more than routine - it’s passion, daily creativity, and the ability to build bridges between children and parents. Her work - from original innovations to sensory classes and social media activities - shows how multidimensional the teacher’s role can be.
It’s also a story about how empathy, involvement, and cooperation with families create lasting results in children’s development while inspiring other teachers to start their own initiatives. Anna’s story shows that working with children can be full of joy, creativity, and fulfillment - when it’s done with passion and heart.
