Dr. Monika Kurzynoga is an educator, psychotherapist in training, academic teacher, mediator, educational therapist, and school counselor. She holds a PhD in social sciences in the field of pedagogy and is the author of several academic publications. She has completed certified training in mediation, TUS (social skills training), PEACE ART aggression replacement, and EEG Biofeedback. She is currently in the fourth year of a certified psychotherapy training program accredited by the Polish Psychiatric and Psychological Associations. In 2023, she was awarded the Medal of the National Education Commission of Poland. She specializes in systemic family work, psychological and educational support, school pedagogy, foster care, and educational therapy. She works in schools, universities, and private practice, and is passionate about child development, family support, and prevention projects. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, and nature.

Konstantina Katirtzi is a teacher of Greek Language and Literature at a junior high school in Peristeri, Athens, where she also serves as Vice Headmistress and European Project Coordinator. As a member of the Erasmus+ project consortia TALENT SPACE (TSPACE) and GEARUp!, her work focuses on integrating guidance and orientation practices into the school environment, with particular emphasis on the development and use of the school’s Talent Space. She has been actively involved in both projects, which promote innovative approaches to student guidance and career development. She has significant experience in designing and implementing Talent Spaces within the school and is a co-creator of the MOOC content for the GEARUp! project, specifically Module 2: Self-knowledge, Talent Discovery, and Career Exploration. At the International Summer School in Cuneo, she will serve as a mentor, sharing practical experience and supporting teachers and guidance practitioners in using the tools presented in Module 2.

Simonetta Bruno, who holds a degree in Classical Literature, began her career as a trainer and later became Head of the Project Design Office at the Centro di Formazione Professionale Cebano Monregalese. She developed a strong interest and specialization in the field of educational and career guidance, and since 2000 has been collaborating with the Local Guidance Group.She has attended specialised training courses, particularly in “Techniques for School Guidance – Early Guidance”, funded by the CRC Foundation and recognised by the Piedmont Region, as well as the regional programme Competences and Territorial Co-design for Guidance. She delivers professional development programmes on early guidance for primary school teachers and builds partnerships with companies to bring children closer to the world of work through exploratory, play-based activities. She is also active at the European level, coordinating Erasmus+ projects focused on guidance and career development themes.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (B.Sc., University of Regensburg) and has completed additional qualifications in Content Marketing Management (IHK Dresden). Alongside her academic background, she has developed expertise in education. She has several years of experience as a language teacher for adults, working with diverse groups such as adult learners, seniors, and migrants. Her teaching practice focuses on language development as well as social and communicative competences. She is certified in adult education and language teaching by the Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband e.V. Her international experience further strengthens her profile: she has conducted and supported workshops in various European contexts, including creative sustainability projects for young people and children in the United Kingdom, educational activities with migrants through the Red Cross in Italy, and classroom support for teenagers at Horne Efterskole in Denmark.Today, she works both as a project manager in European projects and as a lecturer. In these roles, she combines project coordination with hands-on teaching, being responsible for the development, organisation, and implementation of learning activities and educational materials.

Mikołaj Płóciennik has been working with children and young people since 2016, gaining experience in educational and developmental settings. In 2018, he graduated from university and began his career as an English teacher at a public school within the Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny in Długołęka. During his studies, he completed teaching practice at a special education center in Borzęciczki, developing skills in working with students with diverse educational needs. He later collaborated with the coordinator of the Talent Space (TSpace) initiative, supporting activities focused on students’ talents, competencies, and future pathways, mainly through translation and organizational support in an international context. Currently, he is the coordinator of the GEAR UP! Erasmus+ project, supporting young people’s well-being, education, and career development, while fostering international cooperation.

Marta Lacomba Carratalá is a practicing Primary Education and Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher at a public school in the province of Valencia, Spain. She completed her teaching degree at the Universidad Católica de Valencia, specialising in Special Educational Needs, where she also obtained a degree in Clinical Speech Therapy and pursued studies in Cultural and Social Anthropology. She later qualified as a specialist in Speech and Language Specialist teacher through a competitive public examination process. For eleven years, she worked at a Pre-school and Primary Education school designated as a Special Educational Action Centre due to the social vulnerability of its student population. Between 2020 and 2022, she coordinated the Spanish team in the Erasmus Talent Space Project. She is currently working as a Special Educational Needs teacher, primarily supporting neurodivergent students.