An Interview With Maria Angelova
Absolutely. This is exactly it. When a Bulgarian enters the center, the aim is to help him forget he is away from home. We want him to feel at home, in this Center ‘Bulgaria’.
As a part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jaclyn Byles and Jessica Jenkins.
On behalf of Authority Magazine, it is my pleasure to welcome my special guest today, Mrs. Milena Kapitanova. Milena was born in 1970. She Graduated Pedagogy in 1992 and became a third-generation teacher in her family. According to Milena, teaching is a vocation that gives much more than it takes because there is nothing that compares to working with the purest of humans — kids — and passing them knowledge. For Milena, coming to the U.S.A. and beginning to work as a teacher at the Bulgaria School of Atlanta in 2018 created a new meaning and a cause — to not only teach kids to read and write in Bulgarian but to connect them to the Bulgarian culture and heritage.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! How did you get to the position of being a Principal at the Bulgarian School? What led you to that step?
In 2018, when Silviya Kostova was the school’s Principal, she had to travel to Bulgaria for extended periods of time. She asked me to be a substitute for her when she was out of the country. At that time, I had been in the U.S.A. for a year to take care of my granddaughter, who was a year old at the time.
Since the school held classes only on Saturdays, I accepted with pleasure. I was very surprised how the exchanges with the Bulgarian kids and their parents at the school affected me. No matter what kind of a week I had, how I was feeling prior to coming in — at that time, I still had suffered from nostalgia and was adjusting to the transition — when I was at the school on Saturdays, the interactions with the kids shifted my entire emotional state, it always elevated me.
Why?
Because I feel happy doing exactly what I do now! Because of the kids in our school — they are unique — they are part Bulgarian, part American. The mission of our team is to give these kids, born and raised in this country, the gift of the Bulgarian language and heritage. They sincerely embrace both. New friendships are formed between kids who share a common background yet have never met each other before. The children fuel me; they bring light and meaning to my purpose.
The way you speak is contagious, filled with passion, energy and positivity. Share with our readers — what is the importance of doing something with passion, desire, doing something which appeals to you compared to something you have to do?
It is simple. When your work is something you love and brings you positive emotion, fuel, light, goodness — because kids are the purest and best form of the human being — when you feel this way, it is not work. It is something you enjoy doing. My workday is a gift to me. I receive more than I give. I cannot possibly give as much as these kids and parents give me.
I can say as a parent of a kid who attends the Bulgarian School of Atlanta, I whole-heartedly appreciate all you and your team do for our kids — to connect them to our language, our culture, to help create friendships between the kids and also the parents, to create a community.
Yes, community, this is exactly it. This is our goal. We want this to be more than a school. We want this to be a community where everyone helps each other. If you need to talk to someone, to know that you have someone to call. Our essence is such. We love to be together, to share and spend time together.
Speaking of a Bulgarian community, I know you are working on a big project which I would love for you to share more on with us.
Yes, the project started forming in my head about six months after I took the leadership of the school.
In September 2022, the project officially launched with the support of our Parent Foundation and their non-profit organization. Our goal is to purchase a building or land to build not just a Bulgarian School — because we currently have classes only once a week — but to build a Bulgarian Center for our community right here in Atlanta.
Our idea is to gather information on Bulgarian businesses so we can be a resource when someone needs help; to gain and give access to Bulgarian specialists that can help fellow Bulgarians in their own language; to have a Bulgarian Church where parishioners can meet every week; to showcase the beauty of our Bulgarian folklore and culture; to share the Bulgarian vibes. This is our Dream.
To have a Bulgarian day care. To educate children simultaneously in Bulgarian and in English. We have these incredible resources — great teachers and many people who support us. I am sure we are going to fulfill this great dream really soon. We want to have space for people in need of assistance. We don’t want any Bulgarian here to feel alone or abandoned.
The immigrant journey is a big one. We have both traveled this journey. It is not easy especially if you are relocating alone and don’t know anyone else here. New culture, new language. You don’t know how things work here. It is different if you have a helping hand. A connection sharing your language is a bonus.
Absolutely. This is exactly it. When a Bulgarian enters the center, the aim is to help him forget he is away from home. We want him to feel at home, in this Center ‘Bulgaria’.
Another aspect which I respect and admire about you is how much the Bulgarian School of Atlanta has grown since you have taken over the helm and the caliber of people who are involved and support your mission.
When I took over the school in 2019, there were 67 students enrolled. Now, there are 130 kids enrolled — record enrollment.
Let me share something that happened this past week and warmed my heart. There is a new student whose parents are both Americans. They lived in Bulgaria for 3 years and enjoyed our language and culture. The family lives in Alabama. In order to sustain the Bulgarian connection for their child, the mom enrolled her daughter to the Bulgarian School of Atlanta. Every Saturday, she will drive from Alabama to Atlanta, 2.5 hours each way, so that her daughter may attend our school.
This recent example demonstrates the power of our community, the spread of our contagious energy and how this positive energy drives even more positive change and growth!
Yes, I am surrounded by incredible people. I am incredibly lucky and grateful because the people who surround me are good people, who vibrate high. They think and feel about this cause the same way I do. This is a team effort.
We have a diverse team. There are people in charge of our safety. We have people in charge of technology. Everyone helps us move forward. Every single person part of the team — teachers, the Parent Council members, volunteers — it is an entire team — everyone is working tirelessly because they see that the more they give, the more they receive. I am grateful that the Universe sends such amazing people my way.
Indeed, the energy at the school is incredible — for kids, for parents, for everyone. I do think this is a testament to you and your energy and your passion. You shared about your big project. How can people interested in supporting you do so?
Our most immediate need is to collect funds needed for the initial investment in a building. We need to obtain credit for the purchase.
In addition, if you are a commercial real estate agent and are aware of a suitable piece of land maybe with a small building, that is a good start; we will expand over time. The first and foundational step is finding the land.
If you want to donate us a building, this will be even more incredible! I like to consider and stay open to all the possibilities. You never know who may be reading.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantabgschool
Website: https://atlantaschool-bg.com/
Bulgarian School of Atlanta Parent Foundation (non-profit): https://bulgarianschoolofatlantaparentfoundation.wordpress.com/
Donate today via cash, check or bank transfer to our school nonprofit account below. For bank transfers, use account No 7687627, routing No 261071315.
Checks can be payable to: Bulgarian School of Atlanta Parent Foundation, Inc.
Thank you for your time. I wish you continued success — keep moving forward and always so positive.
About The Interviewer: Maria Angelova, MBA is a disruptor, author, motivational speaker, body-mind expert, Pilates teacher and founder and CEO of Rebellious Intl. As a disruptor, Maria is on a mission to change the face of the wellness industry by shifting the self-care mindset for consumers and providers alike. As a mind-body coach, Maria’s superpower is alignment which helps clients create a strong body and a calm mind so they can live a life of freedom, happiness and fulfillment. Prior to founding Rebellious Intl, Maria was a Finance Director and a professional with 17+ years of progressive corporate experience in the Telecommunications, Finance, and Insurance industries. Born in Bulgaria, Maria moved to the United States in 1992. She graduated summa cum laude from both Georgia State University (MBA, Finance) and the University of Georgia (BBA, Finance). Maria’s favorite job is being a mom. Maria enjoys learning, coaching, creating authentic connections, working out, Latin dancing, traveling, and spending time with her tribe. To contact Maria, email her at angelova@rebellious-intl.com. To schedule a free consultation, click here.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Milena Kapitanova Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.