9 February 2026
School Year 2025/2026
The 1st HUPE Varaždin Branch meeting for the school year 2025/2026 was held on 16 December 2025 via Zoom. The meeting brought together HUPE members for professional development, exchange of ideas, and important association updates.
The programme featured two engaging lectures.
Barbara Hanjilec (prof. savjetnik, Škola za umjetnost, dizajn, grafiku i odjeću, Zabok) delivered a lecture entitled New Generations, New Approaches. She provided theoretical insights and practical classroom ideas on teaching emotional intelligence in English language classes. Innovative activities such as mandalas and the cup analogy were presented as effective tools for individual and group work, helping students express their emotions, concerns, and personal experiences.
The second lecture, Motivation of ELT Teachers in ESL, was presented by Silvija Pećanac Bačić (prof. mentor, Srednja škola Vela Luka). The lecture focused on teacher motivation as a dynamic process rather than a fixed trait. Participants explored practical strategies for maintaining and renewing motivation throughout the school year, with an emphasis on recognizing micro wins and personalizing lessons to foster stronger connections with students. The key takeaway was that teacher motivation is not a luxury, but an essential element of successful teaching.
In the final part of the meeting, the branch president shared HUPE news, including information about the HUPE Storyland contest. Members were informed about the guidelines for story writing, suggested themes, and the announcement that the winners will be revealed on 21 March 2026, HUPE Day. Members were also invited to contribute to HUPE Day by delivering a lecture or workshop. The theme of HUPE Day 2026 is Renew, Refresh, Reconnect.
The next HUPE Varaždin Branch meeting is planned for May 2026.
Željka Novak Božić
HUPE Varaždin Branch President
