Introduce yourself in one sentence, please
Hello! My name is Kristina Mecelicaite, and I am so excited to be the new Learning Support Coordinator at the Anglo-American School of Sofia.

Tell us more about your experience before AAS
My career has been dedicated to student support services. Before joining AAS, I worked at Tashkent International School, Tashkent Uzbekistan for three years as a learning support teacher and grade-level coordinator. I also served as a learning leader for special education, EAL, and guidance at the American School of Brasília, Brazil, and previously as the head of student services in several schools across Massachusetts, USA. I am passionate about creating an inclusive learning environment for students of all abilities, and I look forward to bringing that passion to the AAS community.

Share something we do not expect to hear from you?

You might not expect this, but I am endlessly drawn to the world’s most remote and untraveled places. My journeys have taken me across the rugged mountains of Kyrgyzstan, the windswept expanse of Bolivia’s Siloli Desert, and the vanished shores of Uzbekistan’s Aral Sea—a stark reminder of how landscapes, like cultures, can change. The people I meet along the way continually broaden my perspective and remind me that the world is far richer, more fragile and more mysterious than we often imagine.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most is being a "connector." I can step in to connect students, parents, and educators with the resources, skills, and guidance they need. Whether a student is struggling, a parent is unsure about a path forward, or an educator needs a new strategy, I can help make learning support and EAL services work more smoothly for everyone. Seeing the sense of relief that this brings is incredibly rewarding and is what makes me love my job.

What would you be if you weren’t a teacher?
If I weren't an educator, I believe I would be a neuroscientist. My passion lies in understanding how the brain works, particularly in a way that allows us to better support individuals facing mental health and cognitive challenges. I'm especially inspired by the work done in fields like autism and dementia research.

What is the most important thing one has to learn at school?
The most important thing to learn in school, in my opinion, is how to cultivate our creativity and flexible thinking. These are truly human skills that artificial intelligence can't replicate. The essential ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn will be key to navigating a changing world.

What would you say to your 13-year-old self?
I would tell my 13-year-old self not to worry so much about the future. I'd say, "Persevere, work hard, seek and follow good advice, and seize every opportunity that comes your way. With a little bit of luck, and you will be lucky, you will get there. You will experience the joy, love, and fullness of life."

Please recommend a book to read

I highly recommend The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. It’s a remarkable political satire set in Soviet Russia that combines fantasy, dark humor, and timeless philosophical questions. It’s a book that feels just as relevant now as it did when it was written.

by Kristina Mecelicaitė
PreK - 12 Learning Support Coordinator