After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Anna Beāte Būmane began her professional career in the field of statistics, spending some time working in a bank – a job that might appear secure and promising from the outside. Over time, however, it became clear that the corporate environment did not provide the sense of fulfilment she was seeking. The work felt too monotonous, raising the question: what to do next?
The answer came unexpectedly, yet naturally – she noticed a job vacancy at a school. Anna Beāte decided to give it a try:
“I thought – why not? After all, I come from a family of educators: my mother, grandmother, grandfather, and godmother have all been teachers. I was inspired by them and decided to try. In the end, I wouldn’t know unless I tried!”
Already in her first years of work, it became clear that school was exactly the dynamic working environment she had been missing in her career so far.
“I realised that this environment is dynamic, interesting, and that this work truly has meaning. If we, as teachers, do our job well, we see it quickly – and if we do it poorly, we see that as well. This immediate feedback from students and the opportunity to influence young people’s development convinced me that education is where I belong,” Anna Beāte explains.
Professional Growth in Education
To further develop her teaching skills, Anna Beāte joined the programme Iespējamā misija (Mission Possible). Today, she has been working for almost nine years as a computer science teacher at Tukums Rainis State Gymnasium. Alongside her teaching work, she is a national methodologist in computer science, lectures future computer science teachers at the University of Latvia within the Mācītspēks programme, and serves as the content lead for the project Artificial Intelligence Day, organised by Riga Business School with the support of Fond AUGT.
Her work in education is multi-layered – ranging from everyday classroom teaching to systemic improvements at the national level.
The Role of a Methodologist
Speaking about her work as a methodologist, Anna Beāte emphasises that the student is always at the centre. Methodologists work with teachers so that, ultimately, students receive a higher-quality learning experience. This system functions as a chain: national methodologists cooperate with municipal methodologists, who in turn work with teachers in schools.
“At the very centre is always the student. The role of a methodologist is to help teachers feel confident about what and how they teach – by providing methodological support, resources, and information on current trends,” she stresses.
In practice, this includes online seminars on topical issues, digital resource repositories to support teachers’ daily work, participation in conferences, and supervision of the development of methodological materials. The goal is not only to transfer knowledge, but also to strengthen teachers’ professional self-confidence.
Teaching Computer Science in a Rapidly Changing World
A particularly important challenge in computer science education is reaching young people who have grown up immersed in technology. Anna Beāte believes there is no single universal formula for a good lesson. Each teacher must build on their own strengths – whether through group work, practical tasks, or creative approaches.
“If the teacher is not genuinely interested in what they teach, the student won’t be either. Students very quickly sense a teacher’s attitude and confidence in their subject. You have to be passionate about what you teach,” she says.
Computer science teachers currently face several challenges – classroom management, rapid technological development, and uncertainty about the exact scope of the subject. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, present both opportunities and challenges, requiring continuous learning for both teachers and students.
Positive developments in this field have been supported by European Union–funded projects in recent years, which have provided schools with modern equipment. While technical challenges are inevitable, Anna Beāte emphasises that the most important aspect is the conscious and meaningful integration of technology throughout the learning process.
Motivation and Meaning
What motivates Anna Beāte to combine such diverse roles – from hands-on teaching to providing methodological support to colleagues? The answer is simple: meaning.
“I am motivated by seeing meaning in what I do. In education, this sense of purpose is essential. If we see problems or opportunities for improvement, we must not be afraid to get involved. If we don’t try, we won’t know. And if we don’t act, we have no right to comment,” she believes.
EU Funding Support
Methodological support for teachers is provided through the ESF+ project “Establishment of a Professional Support System for Teachers”, which aims to strengthen teachers’ professional capacity and provide targeted support for the implementation of the renewed education curriculum.
In addition, the learning process has been supported by the EU-funded project “Provision of Educational Institutions for the Quality Implementation of the Renewed General Education Curriculum at Primary and Secondary Education Levels”. Within this project, schools were equipped with computer technology, promoting a modern, high-quality, and competitive education process across Latvia.
This story was created with the support of EU funds.
