Irenka Malá

About me

I was born in 1978 in Ostrov and have now lived in Žatec for more than 20 years with my daughter Zuzka. I studied at a business academy and, after a short period in Prague, returned to North Bohemia, where I spent 15 years working in an advertising agency.

I first got to know AMA School when Zuzka was five and we were deciding which primary school would be the right place for her. AMA School quickly became our choice, and over time I became increasingly involved in school life, helping to organise events and support different projects until I eventually joined the school team permanently.

Today, I work as an Adolescent Program Guide, Marketing Specialist and Danny’s Café Lead. I love working with adolescents and particularly enjoy the practical, real-life side of their education. Danny’s Café, our student-run micro-enterprise, is very close to my heart. I enjoy working alongside the students as they learn to take responsibility, cooperate, organise their work and experience what it means to create something that has a real purpose. Baking is one of my strengths, so this is also a place where I can naturally share something I genuinely enjoy.

I am very precise, organised and practical, and I enjoy turning ideas into something tangible. Almost every new learning material created at AMA School passes through my hands in some way. I have also learned to operate our 3D printer and have started designing and producing some of our first 3D-printed materials for classroom use. I enjoy the entire process – from the initial idea through careful preparation to the finished material that can then be used by children in their everyday learning.

My professional development has gradually expanded alongside my role at AMA School. In 2020, I completed the Qualification Programme for School Leaders in order to gain a deeper understanding of school management. In 2021, I qualified as a fitness instructor, which I use both in my free time and at school, where I also lead sports activities. In 2022, I completed the AMI Orientation Course for Adolescent Studies, and in both 2023 and 2024 I continued my education through the course Raising and Educating Adolescents – Children of the Earth. In 2025, I also began studying mathematics and geometry as part of the Montessori 6–12 training programme alongside my colleagues.

Movement and sport are an important part of my life. I enjoy interval and circuit training, running, OCR races, inline skating, cycling, volleyball, badminton and tennis. I also love music, driving, laughter and spending time with people who bring joy into life – although every now and then I appreciate a little time on my own as well.

I would describe myself as flexible, thorough, persistent and determined – and perhaps occasionally a little stubborn. I value reliability, honesty and punctuality, and I enjoy work that requires both creativity and attention to detail. Most of all, I am happy when I can combine practical work, creativity and time spent with children and adolescents – whether in the classroom, while preparing new materials, during sport or around the tables of Danny’s Café.