Photographer: Dilyan Markov Makeup: Lora Slavova
Mrs. Nemtsova, how did you come up with the idea of founding ESPA, one of the first private schools in Bulgaria, in 1992?
From a very early age, I discovered my greatest passion—children. My love for them was so strong that it naturally became my life’s mission. I decided to turn this love into meaning, into a cause, into a path.
Today, 33 years later, I can honestly say that I am a truly happy person. Every day I wake up excited because the sparkling eyes and love of the children at ESPA eagerly await me. This is not just a job – it is magic. Magic in which I have been living for more than three decades
You have established and manage a kindergarten and nursery, as well as a elementary and basic education school. What do you think is the reason for ESPA’s success?
ESPA’s successes happen where there is heart, courage, and people who believe. Behind them is a team of individuals for whom working with children is not a profession but an inner need. People who come to school every day with the feeling that what they do matters. At ESPA, we do not seek the easy way out. We set high standards for ourselves first, because we know that children sense authenticity. When you add dedication, mutual trust, and respect for children’s individuality to a clear vision, the results come naturally. ESPA is a living organism—a community where children grow up confident, refined, educated, and HAPPY because they are supported by people who give them not only knowledge but also presence, care, and meaning.
ESPA School is the only one that operates according to its own original concept. Tell us more about it.
ESPA’s Author’s Educational Concept (AEC) is our inner world. It is a unique, carefully crafted and constructed fairy-tale world where children grow up calmly, confidently and with joy in learning. This is not a fairy tale about escaping reality, but a space where knowledge, skills, and values go hand in hand. In our concept, the child is at the centre—with their own rhythm, talent, and sensitivity. Academic standards are high, but the path to them is humane, meaningful, and inspiring. We teach children not just to know, but to think, feel, and believe in themselves. ESPA’s AEC creates personalities that are adaptable, resilient, and curious about the world. Children who achieve impressive results with ease because they learn with a smile, inner motivation, and joy.
What would you most like to teach and instil in your students?
ESPA teaches children empathy, refined manners, kindness, and compassion, and we build a value system in them that will be their true compass on their path after school. Here, they learn one of the most important lessons—to lose and rejoice in the successes of others, because every child at ESPA is valued for their qualities and talents and has their moment to shine when they reach their peak. We are proud that at ESPA, children respect their school and teachers and are sincerely grateful! ESPA is a community where everyone feels valued and loved, and that is our emblem!
ESPA is one of the first schools to introduce digital learning. Tell us about the challenges faced by modern education.
We live in an era of technological revolution, and it is illusory to expect schools to remain within the confines of the 20th century. If we hold such a view, then we are living in a utopia. The sooner all of us who work in education realize this, the more useful we will be to children.
Today’s children live in a world that happens on screen – dynamic, colourful, and fast-paced. If teachers rely solely on the whiteboard, they have no chance of holding their attention. That is why education today requires new tools, a new language, and a new presence in the classroom. At ESPA, we work in a clearly structured digital environment. Children are not left to „wander“ freely in digital space, nor are they given unlimited access to meaningless content. Technologies are selected, controlled, and used purposefully—in a way that develops thinking rather than dulls it. For us, the digital environment must be clean, organized, and educational.
ESPA was the first school in Bulgaria to introduce Google’s educational platform. From first grade onwards, our students work in Google Classroom, and the entire learning process has undergone a complete transformation. In every class, children use Chromebooks – a tool that opens up exceptional opportunities for learning, creativity, and independence. This model requires an extremely high level of professionalism on the part of teachers. They undergo Google Level 1 certification, but the real value lies in the daily preparation and careful structuring of each lesson. That is why I say with complete conviction that ESPA teachers are the true heroes of the 21st century. Behind their efforts lies dedication to their profession and a genuine love for children.
The benefits for students are invaluable – they develop creativity, critical and creative thinking, teamwork and time management skills. They are not passive consumers, but active participants – creators and authors of content who learn with commitment and meaning.
Do you keep track of your students years later, to see how they are doing in their careers and academic pursuits?
Yes, of course – and that is one of our greatest satisfactions. Over time, we see how children who started at ESPA confidently pursue different paths. Some already have international recognition for projects related to protecting the planet. Others work in large companies and develop high-tech solutions in the field of artificial intelligence. There are also many young people who have chosen the creative path – as musicians, graphic and font designers.
I believe that behind these successes lies not only good preparation, but also the inner strength that ESPA equips them with—the confidence to think independently, work purposefully, and not give up easily. Here, they learn to recognize their strengths and develop them consciously, to set high goals for themselves and pursue them with perseverance.
And when we see our graduates on the covers of prestigious business publications or as part of significant international projects, we know that their first school has left a lasting impression. That is the meaning of everything we do.
How do you deal with competition? Are there any unethical practices?
The word „competition“ is often accompanied by the concept of „lack of fairness“ – and this is no secret. Yes, there are schools that allow themselves to attract both students and teachers in an unethical manner.
However, my philosophy is quite different. I believe that every school should focus on its own mission and on fulfilling its promises to children and parents. My dedicated and worthy colleagues invest their energy in improving their working models, rather than in attempts to harm others. This is the only way to build lasting trust.
Tell us more about the team you work with. How do you manage to convince them that they can do more?
Ah, the team! They are truly amazing people. I have no words to describe them! I have my wonderful principals, with whom we have been together for 30 years! We have teachers who have been contributing to ESPA for more than 10, 15, 20 years. That’s great! To be together for so many years, supporting and trusting each other, knowing that we can count on each other every single day. But, of course, there are also people who come and go! Only the bravest and most dedicated to their profession remain on the road to Everest! At ESPA, everything is so different from anywhere else that it is really not easy for teachers! To achieve the exceptionally high academic standards we have promised parents and at the same time see the happy smiles on the children’s faces, not dark circles under their eyes. Believe me, this is a great skill. And it can only be achieved if you sincerely love the teaching profession and wholeheartedly make it your life’s mission!
But do I convince them? I don’t think so. The key lies elsewhere, namely in finding people who were born to be teachers and helping them recognize ESPA as their home!
What are the challenges faced by women leaders in Bulgaria?
Women leaders follow the same path as men, but with much higher expectations of them. They are expected to be strong and confident, but also gentle, assertive, but also understanding professionals with a vision and, at the same time, caring mothers, partners, and pillars of their families.
They carry several watermelons under one arm—without letting any of them slip. Is it easy? No. But women leaders in Bulgaria prove every day that when there are inner strength, discipline, and purpose, balance is possible. And it is precisely this multifaceted nature that is their true strength.
Does artificial intelligence help or hinder your work? What new developments will you offer in 2026?
Artificial intelligence in itself is neither a threat nor a universal solution. It is a tool, and its value depends on how and for what purpose it is used. In education, this responsibility is even greater because we are preparing children for a world that is changing at an extraordinary pace.
You are the first to whom I will reveal our new project, which is aimed precisely at these new realities. Together with leading experts in the country, we are preparing a program that will help students not only use technology, but also understand it, think critically, and make informed decisions. In 2026, ESPA will offer an expert model in which artificial intelligence is a means of development, not a substitute for human thinking, values, and responsibility.
What is your formula for effective work and a happy life?
The formula is to love what you do with all your heart! And to manage your time so that you can do it with the highest possible quality and on time! And when you promise something, you have to deliver. This is really, really important! I teach my team members planning and perfectionism because it is precisely the attention to detail that makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary things. And ESPA is truly an extraordinary school precisely because we approach everything with great love and dedication! And that is our mission—the mission of everyone on the team, not only mine!
When were you most proud of your career?
Every day, when I see the eyes of the children at ESPA shining with happiness. It fills me with happiness and unearthly joy that the children feel calm, loved, and happy here!
Of course, the results are also satisfying – over the last ten years, our school has been in the top 5 of the Ministry of Education and Science rankings after the 7th grade national exams, and our children rank 3rd in Bulgarian language and literature throughout Bulgaria. This is also a source of genuine pride!
What does success mean to you?
Success to me means doing something meaningful for others and contributing with my work to making life on planet Earth better! As well as leaving a mark in people’s hearts!
Where do you like to relax, and do you have any favourite places?
Always by the sea or ocean – water is my element.
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