The future of education is not only about what children learn. It is also about the environments in which they learn to think, cooperate, take responsibility and understand their own potential. Meet three women recognised by the Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition for creating new models of education and preparing children for life beyond the classroom.
The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition recognise women whose work creates measurable change in business, institutions, communities and society. In this week’s edition, we introduce three women whose leadership demonstrates a distinctive way of creating impact.
Silvie Kappelová
Silvie Kappelová founded the Žabka education centre and has spent more than fourteen years developing a non-directive, respectful approach to children’s education. Her work connects pedagogy, art and cooperation with families while responding to children’s natural developmental needs. Through seminars, counselling and work with hundreds of families, she advocates for greater trust, freedom and mental wellbeing in education. She is among the Czech pioneers of alternative and self-directed learning, showing that schools can function as living ecosystems built around relationships, creativity and respect rather than control alone.
Jarmila Baker
Jarmila Baker founded and manages the Tip Toes network of Czech-British nursery and primary schools, combining Czech and British curricula and educating hundreds of children. Drawing on international education experience, she has built a bilingual environment focused not only on academic outcomes, but also on character, empathy and independence. Her vision of school is that of a safe community where children and teachers grow together. It is a reminder that international education is valuable not simply because of language, but because it can broaden the way children understand themselves and the world around them.
Jana Merunková
Jana Merunková is an educator, author and founder of educational projects focused on financial and civic literacy, critical thinking and entrepreneurship among children and young people. As a fundraiser, she has secured more than CZK 100 million for educational initiatives and has helped build programmes supporting thousands of children from children’s homes, migrants and students preparing for independent life. She is one of the visible drivers of systemic change in financial education in Czech schools — helping ensure that young people leave education better prepared for the decisions adulthood will require of them.
Discover all Women Changing the World Awards 2025 winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz/edice-2025/winners-profiles/