O meu nome é Simone André da Costa e nasci em Portugal. Licenciei-me em Psicologia (2003, Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Minho, Braga Portugal) e pós-graduei-me em Pedagogia Waldorf / Steiner (2009, Madrid, Espanha). Recentemente e, como é muito importante para mim continuar a aprender e desenvolver competências valiosas, iniciei um curso Avançado de Líderes da Floresta Nível 3 ou FOrest School Leader (2017, Londres, Reino Unido). Depois de terminar a Licenciatura em Psicologia na Universidade aos 22 anos de idade, e tendo alguma experiência como Psicóloga do Desporto Atletas de Elite e atletas olímpicos em Portugal, decidi viajar e conhecer outras línguas, áreas de trabalho e culturas. Esta era uma parte muito importante do meu currículo, como um período de auto-desenvolvimento e exigência para eu poder melhor compreender o Mundo. Eu acredito que quanto mais vemos e experimentamos, mais podemos entender. Vivi em diferentes países, como Espanha, Áustria, Alemanha, Indonésia, Itália, Suíça, etc., e trabalhei com crianças e famílias de diferentes países e acho que foi uma importante fonte de aprendizagem e experiência.
Também desenvolvi um projeto pessoal visitando e documentando, através de fotografia, escolas alternativas / holísticas e lugares de aprendizagem em todo o mundo, focando abordagens de aprendizagem, Escolas Steiner, Montessori, Pikler e Reggio-Emilia, escolas verdes e sustentáveis, etc. O "Projeto Imagine a School" pretendia partilhar a experiência através de uma exposição fotográfica, que foi partilhada em diferentes eventos e galerias, e apresentada através de um primeiro livro, lançado em Portugal em 2015. Atualmente, dou seguimento a este projeto, participando em diferentes eventos de partilha a nível nacional e internacional. Tenho mais de dez anos de experiência com crianças de diferentes países e diferentes idades, bem como bebês. Tenho uma experiência diversificada, em um contexto formal como um professor de jardim de infância de Waldorf / Escolas internacionais privadas e em contextos não-formais, como as experiências de contextos de férias (Estágios de luxo de 5 estrelas e Resorts de verão nos melhores locais) principalmente em posições líderes. Como Psicóloga, tenho experiência em Desporto, Exercício, Saúde e na área de bem-estar, trabalhando com atletas de elite em Portugal e Itália, e também como Psicóloga de Emergência na Cruz Vermelha Espanhola. Fui voluntária na Green School Bali, na Indonésia, considerada como "the Greenest School on Earth". É muito importante para mim, independentemente do local de trabalho, realizá-lo de acordo com valores integrais, holísticos, positivos e quentes, promovendo o bem-estar emocional total das crianças e das famílias ao meu redor e meu foco de trabalho sempre nesses valores. Adoro viajar, explorar cidades, museus, galerias e conhecer novas habilidades, participando sempre de diferentes cursos, workshops e experiências que me pode ajudar a desenvolver ou melhorar uma nova competência. Adoro ler e escrever, aproveitar um dia de caiaque ou fazer uma jornada de esqui cross country, fazer caminhadas, jogar ténis ou aproveitar o mar. Adoro a fotografia que faz memórias visuais inesquecíveis. Aprender novas línguas foi um objetivo claro para mim alcançar, e além de ser completamente fluente para espanhol, inglês e alemão, tenho um nível intermédio de francês e italiano. Gostaria de num futuro próximo, desenvolver um projeto educativo em Portugal, o meu país de origem.
Também desenvolvi um projeto pessoal visitando e documentando, através de fotografia, escolas alternativas / holísticas e lugares de aprendizagem em todo o mundo, focando abordagens de aprendizagem, Escolas Steiner, Montessori, Pikler e Reggio-Emilia, escolas verdes e sustentáveis, etc. O "Projeto Imagine a School" pretendia partilhar a experiência através de uma exposição fotográfica, que foi partilhada em diferentes eventos e galerias, e apresentada através de um primeiro livro, lançado em Portugal em 2015. Atualmente, dou seguimento a este projeto, participando em diferentes eventos de partilha a nível nacional e internacional. Tenho mais de dez anos de experiência com crianças de diferentes países e diferentes idades, bem como bebês. Tenho uma experiência diversificada, em um contexto formal como um professor de jardim de infância de Waldorf / Escolas internacionais privadas e em contextos não-formais, como as experiências de contextos de férias (Estágios de luxo de 5 estrelas e Resorts de verão nos melhores locais) principalmente em posições líderes. Como Psicóloga, tenho experiência em Desporto, Exercício, Saúde e na área de bem-estar, trabalhando com atletas de elite em Portugal e Itália, e também como Psicóloga de Emergência na Cruz Vermelha Espanhola. Fui voluntária na Green School Bali, na Indonésia, considerada como "the Greenest School on Earth". É muito importante para mim, independentemente do local de trabalho, realizá-lo de acordo com valores integrais, holísticos, positivos e quentes, promovendo o bem-estar emocional total das crianças e das famílias ao meu redor e meu foco de trabalho sempre nesses valores. Adoro viajar, explorar cidades, museus, galerias e conhecer novas habilidades, participando sempre de diferentes cursos, workshops e experiências que me pode ajudar a desenvolver ou melhorar uma nova competência. Adoro ler e escrever, aproveitar um dia de caiaque ou fazer uma jornada de esqui cross country, fazer caminhadas, jogar ténis ou aproveitar o mar. Adoro a fotografia que faz memórias visuais inesquecíveis. Aprender novas línguas foi um objetivo claro para mim alcançar, e além de ser completamente fluente para espanhol, inglês e alemão, tenho um nível intermédio de francês e italiano. Gostaria de num futuro próximo, desenvolver um projeto educativo em Portugal, o meu país de origem.
My name is Simone and I come from Portugal, but with great experience of living abroad. I am a Psychologist, specialized in Sport Psychology (Master Degree, Portugal, 2003), but as well postgraduated in Waldorf Pedagogy for Early Years (Madrid, 2009) and in Forest School Education (London, 2017) . I was always curious about travelling abroad and living in another countries was always a goal for me to reach. After University, I've decided to participate in different Youth Exchanges mainly in Europe, and as well to make a Leonardo Da Vinci in Italy, in the field of the Sport Psychology at the Unviersitá Degli Studi di Padova. After that I went to Germany to be an European Volunteer ( European Volunteer Service) at Parzivalschulen, a Waldorf School in Karlsruhe for one year long. Here I got to know diferent approaches to education, from Waldorf Pedagogy to Montessori and Forest Pedagogy. Since then I've started to plan a research project and learn a bit more about alternative educational projects. I got the possibility to organize my own first travel and research project with a co-financial fund from the "Youth In Action Program",about alternative education in Europe. I started my journey through an Interrail with a global ticket for Europe, visiting Waldorf, Montessori and Forest Kindergartens and schools, some Ecovillages and other Projects that promote a sustainable lifestyle and an holistic education.I was travelling in diferent countries in Europe, like Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, France, Spain and Portugal. In the Summer of 2015, I've started the visits worldwide, with a first experience and opportunity at the Green School Bali, in Indonesia, participating as a Volunteer in Kindergarten and in the Boarding School functioning as an Ecovillage, known as the Bamboo Village or Green School Student Village, with students with more than 30 nations from the world present. I have more than ten years experience working with children and families in formal and non-formal contexts such as schools and kindergarten or vacational resorts such as ski resorts and summer resorts, and babysitting in private villas and in special events. I was working as well as a Psychologist, in the Spanish Red Cross in the Psychosocial Emmergencies Department. I was volunteering at the International Green School Bali, in Indonesia, considered the Greenest School on Earth, working at the Kindergarten for 6 months and taking part of the Green Educator Course for Kindergarten. It was a great experience in a completely international environment. It is very important for me, no matter the local of work, to perform according to integral, holistic, positive, and warm values, promoting the total emotional well-being of the children and families around me, and my work focus always in these values. I consider myself a very positive, sportive, respectful, polite professional that always pursues to perform at my best and tries to promote the best in each child/family. I will never forget all the children and families that allowed me to grow and to learn so much. I am grateful for it and I keep contact with a lot of them. I love to travel, to explore cities, museums, galleries and to get to know new skills, participating always in different trainings, workshops and experiences that can help me to develop or improve a new ability. I love to read and to write, to enjoy a day kayaking, or going on a journey of cross-country ski, hiking, playing tennis or to enjoy the sea. I love photography and to make unforgettable visual memories with them. Learning new languages was a clear goal for me to reach, and in addition to being completely fluent to Spanish, English and German I have an intermediate level of French and Italian. I would like, in a near future, to develop an educational project in Portugal, my home country.
Places where I have Lived and Worked
Green School Bali, Indonesia (2015) - Kindergarten and Organic Boarding School - Considered the Greenest School o Earth. Some images of my experience in Bali, Indonesia at the Green School.
www.greenschool.org
www.greenschool.org
Austria - Lech am Arlberg and Brand - Ski Resort and Ski Kindergarten/Summer Resort - I have managed Kindergarten and Childcare Team at Teddy Club Hotel Austria, in Lech am Arlberg and Co-Coordinating the Childcare in Summer in Brand in the Family Hotels from the Schwaerzler Chain, in Summer, with a lot of outdoor activities for children and families. In the Ski Kindergarten Lech, Oberlech and Zuers I was supporting the Ski instruction and managing the Play Group in a part-time role, for the Winter Seasons.
It was a great opportunity to work with more than 1000 Children from all over the World and getting to know a new environment as the beautiful mountains of Austria.
It was a great opportunity to work with more than 1000 Children from all over the World and getting to know a new environment as the beautiful mountains of Austria.
Some Feedback of Families or Employers in the Childcare Context:
Private Reference/ Family:
"While my 5 year old daughter and I were on holiday, Simone took sole charge care of my child while in the kid's club. She was professional, caring, and engaging with the children (including my daughter) in ways that I have not seen in any other kid's club (teaching new arts and crafts, board games, etc with an attention to each child that was superb)
I highly recommend her for any role working with children.
Should you need to contact me for further questions, please don't hesitate: Vanessa Sterling
Kind regards,
Vanessa"
"While my 5 year old daughter and I were on holiday, Simone took sole charge care of my child while in the kid's club. She was professional, caring, and engaging with the children (including my daughter) in ways that I have not seen in any other kid's club (teaching new arts and crafts, board games, etc with an attention to each child that was superb)
I highly recommend her for any role working with children.
Should you need to contact me for further questions, please don't hesitate: Vanessa Sterling
Kind regards,
Vanessa"
Spain: Mallorca, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Ibiza, Lugo. Here there are some impressions of my Work mostly in vacational educational contexts such as 5 Stars Hotels and Great Luxury Hotels but, as well in a Waldorf Kindergarten.
- Reference of Childcare and Direction Department Management:
"Ms Simone Cristina Andre da Costa, born on 21.09.80 in Bragança, Portugal, residing in Palma de Mallorca, was in the period from 24 June to 09. September 2012 as a: Childminder in our hotel Children's Club.
The Sheraton Majorca Arabella Golf Hotel Palma de Mallorca Spain is A 5 star Luxury Hotel, consisting of 93 rooms, of which 23 are suites, 2 Dining Bar - ,, Conferencing units, pool and spa area as well as one Generous leisure activities, including three 18-hole golf courses.
Ms Costa was part of a three-man team and was responsible for the care of the children of our houseguests the children of different Nations were for the most part from 4 to 10 years. Her field of activity included the following:
• Planning and carrying out various activities such as Play and entertainment offers;
swim; small projects;
• Motivate children to play games and activities together
• Daily lunch in our restaurant
• Care of the play and employment material.
Ms Costa carried all the tasks assigned to her very conscientiously, properly and always to our fullest satisfaction. It turned out to be far-reaching the average commitment to the needs of guests and Children. Particularly noteworthy is her self – reliance, Sovereignty, with which she performs her duties, even in times particularly high Workload. Mrs. Costa convinces with a high degree of resilience and flexibility in the execution and organization of her field of duties, all the more so the number of children varied daily and therefore the daily program only conditionally can be planned. Mrs Costa showed herself to be a very active volunteer, with great interest and utmost reliability perceived. Thanks to her very good knowledge of foreign languages, it is also important for Ms. Costa and no problems exist with children from other linguistic regions. It also shows a great interest, to gain insight into other languages. Because of her loving and responsible handling, she was very much esteemed by the guests, and by the Children very popular. Her behaviour towards superiors and employees was always exemplary. We wish Ms Costa all the best in her future professional career and would be pleased to be able to employ her again."
Palma de Mallorca, September, 2012,
Yolanda Lopez
Front Office and Childcare Department Manager
Mallorca Sheraton Arabella Golf Hotel
- Reference Director of Resort:
" The family and child-friendly four stars Hotel Lagant is one of a total of 6 hotels in the Schwaerzler Group and is located in Brand in Vorarlberg. The hotel offers the ideal setting for a family holiday and is equipped with everything the tourist's heart desires. 73 rooms, panoramic restaurant, hotel bar with open fireplace and sun terrace, two swimming pool areas as well as the sports and adventure world at 600 Square Meters invite you to relax and unwind. To her extensive field of duties, she was responsible for: management, organization and responsibility of childcare. From the very beginning, Mrs. Simone showed a far above-average performance and a high degree of independence, so that we were extremely satisfied with her work, which she always carried out exactly. It has a quick perception and even identifies and takes action under complexities immediately. The requirements and burdens of her education, she had always grown well in the event of a strong employment. She always did her tasks with the utmost care and precision. Her work results were of the highest quality, even in the case of more demanding requirements. She has always worked to our full satisfaction. Our company and guests were able to benefit greatly from its long-term and versatile professional experience. Thanks to her outstanding expertise, she was able to master all the working situations without problems and to find a successful solution for every problem. Her behavior was extremely helpful, constructive, and always exemplary. Particularly to be highlighted are her sense of responsibility, her trustworthiness and her reliability. Because of her positive attitude and her collegial attitude, she was very much appreciated by supervisors, employees and hotel guests alike. Mrs. Simone leaves our company on the basis of the agreed working time. We would like to thank you for your great and above-average employment and wish you all the best for your professional and personal future."
Sonja Feurstein, Brand, Austria, October, 2013.
Hotel Director
- Reference of Hotel Director:
"From 12th December 2013 until the 20th April 2014 Miss Simone Cristina André da Costa, born the 21st September 1980, was as Childcare Coordinator in our House.Like the last Winter. Simone coordinated our Hotel Kindergarten – “Teddy Club” with the best outcomes and happy personality, that we are really convinced to recommend her as a Kindergarten Teacher and Childcare worker. To Simone, nothing was boring or falling into routine. She always organised new Highlights for the children. We had a long and hardworking Winter Season, but even so, Simone was motivated until the last day and was brilliant with the children. Several times the Kindergarten and Simone were recommended and pronounced in our Guestbook , not only by the children but as well by the parents. Very proud of it, we can confirm, that we were very happy with her competent skills and work along the Winter Season. The weekly program for the children and families was very well organized focusing on the outdoor and on making crafts within a child centred approach, with a weekly party for all the children organising performances, dance moments, games. Our Childcare program was always much appreciated and received several compliments from our children and families. The families always knew that the children would be well cared and nurtured by Simone with a very happy, empathic and calm attitude. Even in the more stressful moments, like the Christmas Play rehearsals etc, nothing could break her calm way of working and being. Punctuality, honesty, clean and a very correct and polite relation with all the children and families from different parts of the world that visit us every year, are the main strengths of Simone that always smile and bring energy to the work and all the Team. We are very grateful for Simone´s contribution to a very successful Winter Season, the doors in Austria will always be open, and we would like to count on her for the next winters".
Georg Strolz Lech, 20th of April 2014
Hotel Owner and Director
Hotel Austria
6764 Lech am Arlberg
- Reference From Hotel Owner and Director:
"From 11th December 2014 until the 20th April 2015, Miss Simone Cristina André da Costa, born the 21st September 1980, was as a Childcare Coordinator in our House. Like the last Seasons, Simone coordinated our Hotel Kindergarten – “Teddy Club” with the best outcomes and happy personality that we are really convinced to recommend her as a Kindergarten Teacher and Childcare worker. Simone is a very important piece of our Team, for our repeated guests but as well for the whole Team. She is always happy, good mood and it seems that nothing can disturb her calm presence. Sher is a hardworking co-worker, and everyone notices the love for her profession and work with children. She leads with the parents and children with all the respect but in a very friendly way, and we are sure, that there is no child that does not love and enjoy to go to Simone in the Teddy Club. We can only highly recommend Simone to all our colleagues and employers. Several times the Kindergarten and Simone were recommended and pronounced in our Guestbook, not only by the children but as well by the parents. Very proud of it, we can confirm, that we were very happy with her competent skills and work along the Winter Season. The weekly program for the children and families was very well organized focusing on the outdoor and on making crafts within a child centred approach, with a weekly party for all the children organising performances, dance moments, games. Our Childcare program was always much appreciated and received several
compliments from our children and families. The families always knew that the children would be well cared and nurtured by Simone with a very happy, empathic and calm attitude. Punctuality, honesty, clean and a very correct and polite relation with all the children and families from different parts of the world that visit us every year, are the main strengths of Simone that always smile and bring energy to the work and all the Team.
We are very grateful for Simone´s contribution to a very successful Winter Season, the doors in Austria will always be open, and we would like to count on her for the next winters".
Georg Strolz Lech, 20th of April 2014,
Hotel Owner and Director
Hotel Austria
6764 Lech am Arlberg
- Reference from Hotel Owner and CEO:
Team, can only appreciate it. Several times the Kindergarten and Simone were recommended and pronounced in our Guestbook, not only by the children but as well by the parents. Very proud of it, we can confirm, that we were very happy with her competent skills and work along the Winter Season. The weekly program for the children and families was very well organized focusing on the outdoor and on making crafts within a child centred approach, with a weekly party for all the children organising performances, dance moments, games. Our Childcare
program was always much appreciated and received several compliments from our children and families. The families always knew that the children would be well cared and nurtured by Simone with a very happy, empathic and calm attitude. Punctuality, honesty, clean and a very correct and polite relation with all the children and families from different parts of the world that visit us every year, are the main strengths of Simone that always smile and bring energy to the work and all the Team. We are very grateful for Simone´s contribution to a very successful Winter Season, the doors in Austria will always be open, and we would like to count on her for
the next winters. We will miss you."
Georg Strolz Lech, 22th of April 2017
Hotel Austria
6764 Lech am Arlberg
Experience Visiting different Schools Around the World - I have visited 36 Projects through 16 Countries, such as Forest Schools and Kindergartens, Waldorf/Steiner Schools, Montessori, Ecovillages with Boarding Schools included, Green Schools, as the Green School Bali, Indonesia, etc. From that I have developed the Imagine a School Photographic Exhibition and launched my first book about the Project and Education Thema, in Portuguese Language. Have a look though the website and some of the photos here below presented.
My first book, the Globetrotter Project - Alternative Schools & Communities in the world, plublished in September 2015, in portuguese language, by Chiado Editora/ Chiado Publishing, Lisbon, Portugal.
www.chiadoeditora.com/livraria/projecto-globetrotter
www.chiadoeditora.com/livraria/projecto-globetrotter
My experience during the Level 3 Advanced Forest School Leader Training in the United Kingdom at the BEECHE Bromley, in April 2017 was great and gave excelent tools to work with children and youth in an outdoor and natural environment. Have a look, please!
