Welcome to “Parent Stories” – a space where parents from Maple Bear Sofia share their firsthand experience with our school.
Today we introduce you to Kristina Miletieva.
Hello, Kristina! Tell us a little more about yourself.
My name is Kristina, and I am the mother of two brothers, Zahari and Sava, who are in 5th and 4th grade at Maple Bear School Sofia. Sava, the fourth-grader, attends the school in Boyana, and Zahari, who is in 5th grade, studies at the school at Kambanite.
How long have you been part of the Maple Bear Sofia community?
Fortunately, we learned about Maple Bear Sofia right from its start. I say “fortunately” because, for me as a parent, it is truly a great success and stroke of luck that my children feel stable and haven’t had to change their educational environment repeatedly. This peace of mind and consistency are some of the most valuable gifts I can give them.
What convinced you to choose Maple Bear Sofia for your child’s education?
Maple Bear Sofia hit exactly my sweet spot for the life I want for my children. My desire is for them to do well academically so that one day, when they have a specific dream or goal, they have the solid knowledge and skills necessary to achieve it. At the same time, I want them to have a happy childhood. As a parent, I guide them toward their goals and aspirations, and I want that journey to be constructive, supportive, nurturing, and firmly rooted in a sense of community. At the end of their childhood, I do not want to have exchanged their mental health for the sake of academic success. I want them to have both.
Currently, what do you consider to be the greatest benefits your child is getting from their education at Maple Bear Sofia?
The adaptability and broad horizons provided by an international education are invaluable. Studying in this environment equips a child to navigate life successfully in far more places around the world. The worldview of such a child is developed beyond their immediate location and environment. From an early age, a child in an international setting encounters global issues and new methods for resolving them. They grow up with the awareness that the world is vast, diverse, and accessible. Because of this, their dreams can reach much further, as they understand that this “further” is both real and entirely attainable.
Please share a favorite moment from your time at Maple Bear Sofia School.
We decided to have the children baptized. The moment came when they had to choose their godparents. I explained to them that a godparent should ideally be a favorite adult outside the family—someone they feel is a true role model. Both of my sons chose their teacher, Mr. Dimo, without hesitation. I had to explain that Mr. Dimo is their teacher and that it is not his responsibility to take on such a commitment. For now, we don’t have a Plan B, and the children still haven’t been baptized. Nevertheless, I am happy about this situation. I am glad that there are adults in their lives whom they admire and from whom they can absorb values, character, and inspiration.
What advice would you give to parents who are considering whether Maple Bear Sofia is the right choice for their child?
I was fortunate that my children attended a kindergarten where I could drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the evening without any worries whatsoever about the environment. I feel exactly the same way about Maple Bear School Sofia. My children have been studying there for six years now, which affords me a calm parenthood—both peace of mind in the present and confidence that my children will become successful individuals.
I believe that the school is helping them become successful people—successful as they personally define and understand the word. I want to give them the freedom to discover their own definition of success and walk their own path.
