Teachers’ voice: Maria Cristina T. – Teaching as a shared journey

At European Schoolnet Academy, we believe every learning journey can spark change through innovative teaching practices. Over the years, thousands of teachers across Europe have taken our MOOCs, bringing fresh ideas and new strategies into their classrooms. Behind each course is not only knowledge, but also a story of challenges, discoveries, and students inspired. In this series, we share the voices of educators who turned their learning into action.

We are proud to highlight one of these voices: Maria Cristina T., an English teacher from Italy. Her journey shows how collaboration, not only with colleagues, but also with students, families, and peers across Europe, can transform the classroom into a place of active citizenship and shared growth.

Finding inspiration beyond the curriculum

For Maria Cristina, teaching has always been about more than just following the curriculum. With a PhD in Information and Communication Studies, she brought both a strong academic background and a passion for educational technologies to her classroom. Yet, the professional training available at her school often felt too basic and uninspiring. She was looking for opportunities that matched her ambitions and gave her fresh tools to keep her students engaged; especially in a community where cultural experiences were limited.”

Her goal was clear: she wanted to turn her classroom into a space where students could feel empowered, included, and ready to think of themselves as active European citizens.

From gamification to European citizenship

Over the years, Maria Cristina has joined a wide range of MOOCs, from “Developing Digital Skills in Your Classroom” to “Teach Europe: A Classroom’s Roadmap to Europe.” Each course brought fresh inspiration, but some became milestones in her career.

“Games in Schools was a real game changer,” she recalls. It opened the door to gamification strategies that reshaped how she reached her students, especially those who found learning more difficult. Later, she brought these ideas into an EU-funded project, We Are All European Citizens, where 12–14-year-olds explored European values and identity through English, digital tools and playful activities.

The changes soon spoke for themselves: Maria Cristina’s classroom turned into a place where Internet safety, languages, the environment and European citizenship were not just subjects to cover but experiences her students could connect with and make their own.

Teaching isn’t a solo journey

Maria Cristina’s story shows just how much collaboration can change teaching. Through each MOOC she met educators from across Europe; people who soon became friends, project partners, and trusted sources of inspiration. They laughed over challenges, exchanged ideas, and slowly built a real sense of community that still supports her today.

“Teaching is never a solitary path,” she says. “I learned that even when resources are scarce or time is limited, passion and collaboration can overcome almost any obstacle.”

Cristina’s experience reflects the spirit of World Teachers’ Day 2025: education is strongest when it’s shared. Teachers grow when they learn together, exchange ideas, and recognise themselves as part of a profession built on collaboration and solidarity.

Advice for fellow teachers

For teachers who are considering joining a MOOC, Cristina’s advice is:

“Don’t hesitate, just dive in. MOOCs from European Schoolnet Academy are not just courses; they’re gateways to transformation. You’ll find fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a vibrant community of peers. For me, they reignited my passion for teaching and gave me the confidence to innovate, even in challenging contexts.”

At European Schoolnet Academy, we are proud to see how our MOOCs become part of these journeys. Learning should never be a solo journey. We go further, and achieve more, when we do it together.

Be curious. Be bold. Be the change in your classroom. Join thousands of teachers across Europe who are bringing innovation and collaboration to life. Take a MOOC, share your ideas, and see the difference it makes.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more voices from teachers across Europe.