Mădălina is an English teacher, certified translator and local councillor in the town of Azuga, Romania. She has got a BA in Romanian and English language and literature and an MA in Intercultural Communication, both from Transylvania University in Brașov, as well as an honorary PhD in Education from Maryland State University, USA.
She works in the local public school, teaching students aged 6 to 19, while also collaborating with private associations that offer adult education, and running her own translation business.
As a teacher – as well as a mother of three wonderful boys – Mădălina supports and encourages self-expression as part, rather than as a result, of self-discovery. She considers that students need to find their voice, and in order to find that voice, they need to use it repeatedly. Whether it is through creative writing, visual arts, singing or any combination of skills, language learning and artistic expression help build tolerance and connection between people and the outside world, opening doors and pushing cultural boundaries and personal limits.
While teaching a foreign language, she helps students grow as independent thinkers ready to embrace not only their own environment, but the entire world.
You can connect with Mădălina through her LinkedIn or Facebook account.
Presentation: The Art to be Yourself – Students in Search of an Identity
Art has long been recognized as a means of self-expression, but its role in self-discovery is often overlooked. For students who are in the process of shaping their identities, art provides a vital space to explore emotions, thoughts, and personal perspectives. This presentation will talk about how creative engagement – through visual arts, literature, music, and performance – can act as a mirror to the self, revealing deeper layers of identity and consciousness.
From childhood through adolescence, students face pressure from outside factors – teachers, parents, entourage – as well as from the inherent inner turmoil of the young ages. This pressure may shape their understanding of who they are. Artistic creation allows them to externalize these feelings, translating abstract emotions into concrete experiences. Through painting, writing, or movement, art becomes a tool for introspection, offering a universal language for self-exploration. By engaging in art activities, students develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and a greater capacity for critical thinking.
Beyond individual growth, artistic expression encourages the development of a sense of connection to culture, to history, and to others. When students create and interpret art, they engage in an ongoing dialogue between personal experience and the larger human condition. In an era where education often prioritizes standardized learning, integrating art into educational frameworks ensures that students not only acquire knowledge but also develop a deeper understanding of their existence. This presentation will explore the intersection of art, identity, and education, drawing on psychological insights and real-world applications. It will highlight how fostering artistic engagement in students enriches their sense of self and contributes to a more meaningful, reflective approach to learning and life. By understanding the transformative power of art, we recognize its essential role, not just in education, but in the very fabric of human existence.