#HeritageTeachers // Andrew Goga: “We want to raise a generation of strong, independent young people”

News

#HeritageTeachers // Andrew Goga: “We want to raise a generation of strong, independent young people”

30 November 2020

Andrew Goga is a History and Geography teacher at Heritage International School. He has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Economics and Policy from Pennsylvania State University, United States, with additional certifications in English, Geography, and African Studies. He loves teaching and enjoys being in class with his students.

I think that if the teacher enjoys being in class, he automatically sends a good vibe to the students, making it more interesting and fun for them. In my classes, my students see that I am interested in the subjects that I’m teaching them, and so I see that they usually enjoy being there as well.

In my 20s, I travelled all across Asia and Europe. Before coming to Moldova, I was living in Izmir, Turkey, and teaching at a private school there. And while I was there, I travelled a lot in Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe. I have many unusual and unbelievable memories from years of travelling.

In class, whenever I’m talking about some key historical or geographical topic, I almost every time have a pretty cool, real-life anecdote to back it up with, and students seem to enjoy that. It makes the subjects more relevant and real for them.

Photo: At the Northernmost point of Africa, in Tunisia
 
When I was a student, I studied abroad in South Africa and India. After all these amazing experiences from around the world, I advise my students to seize all opportunities.

If they want to learn about the world, they have to read books and pay attention in class but also go out and see the world for themselves.

Whenever I am teaching in my classes, the first and most important thing is that I make it enjoyable for my students. I never just sit at the desk; I’m always walking around, being very expressive, and using a lot of gestures and theatrics. I tell stories and jokes and get students to participate. I always want them to feel encouraged to contribute in our lessons.


Photo: Exploring ancient Greek ruins in Turkey

A few days ago, I had to substitute teach an extra class, and when I walked into the room, the class cheered when they saw I was their substitute. I saw they were genuinely happy and for me that was a great reward.

We want to raise a generation of strong, independent young people. We want them to be free thinkers and voice their opinions, especially for subjects that can be abstract and open to interpretation. I try to get my students to share their opinions, feel comfortable in class and enjoy being there. Motivated in this way, they will take school more seriously and enjoy the learning process.

Photo: Hiking in Kyrgyzstan

Recently, in a history lesson, I noticed a student that wasn’t part of that class. I asked him why he was there if he wasn’t in our class. He told me he loved my history classes so much, and he found my way of teaching and me, as a teacher, so interesting that he decided to attend. That student didn’t have any more lessons for the day, and he could have gone home and enjoyed his Friday afternoon, but he said he would rather stay in Mr. Goga’s class because it was fun and interesting. That was fantastic.

Students are perceptive and they know when teachers really care about them and their academic situation. And I really do care about my students. Whenever they’re coming back to school after being ill for a couple of days, I always ask them how they’re doing, catch them up with all the work, and help them do well in class.

Photo: At Tighina Fortress

Sometimes, the teacher can really make or break a student’s appreciation for a subject. And I want my students to enjoy history and geography and remember me as a fun, friendly teacher with compelling lessons. That way, they’ll be far more likely to remember my subjects as the years go by.

The best way that global education can evolve is for its availability to increase. In Moldova, if you want to get a global education, Heritage is definitely the place to get it, because of our world-class teachers and international curriculum. Heritage students are extremely lucky to experience global education here, in their home country.

Get to know all our amazing Heritage teachers here

Interesting News

Roman Dumych: “School’s main role is to make you a kind human being.”
08 April 2026

There is a small ritual at the end of many of Roman Dumych’s physics and geography lessons at Heritage International School. With ten minutes left on the clock and the day’s material covered, he

Victoria Fiodorov: “In a world full of information, critical thinking is the most important skill.”
01 April 2026

With over 25 years of experience in education, Victoria Fiodorov combines the academic rigor of law with the pedagogical sensitivity required for working with adolescents. After two decades spent in

A first for Moldova! Heritage International School launches The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
31 March 2026

How do we help young people grow into confident, grounded adults in a world that is changing before our eyes? It all starts with their courage to step outside their comfort zone and the way they

Vitalie Cucosh: “More important than physics is life itself, and when students become the heroes of the lessons they study, physics makes sense.”
25 March 2026

There are questions every parent asks, sooner or later, when choosing a school for their children. Beyond academic rigor and certifications, who are the people behind the lessons? What values guide

“WORLD SCHOLAR’S CUP” 2026 RETURNS TO HERITAGE AND ALL STUDENTS FROM MOLDOVA ARE INVITED!
17 March 2026

The international “World Scholar’s Cup” competition returns for the sixth consecutive year to Heritage International School, where all students from schools across the Republic of Moldova are invited

Dorina Calinovscaia: “When you learn to listen to yourself, choosing your path becomes easier – not just in your career, but in life.”
11 March 2026

Some teachers teach a subject; others shape people. Dorina Calinovscaia belongs, without a doubt, to the second kind. As a psychology teacher and high school coordinator at Heritage International

Inga Corlăteanu: “My superpower is the deep belief that my future – and our country’s future – is being shaped right now, in the classroom.”
25 February 2026

What’s the difference between an ordinary school and one that changes lives? We found the answer on a February afternoon at Heritage International School, watching Inga Corlăteanu teach. She’s an

How do we prepare children for the future? An interview with the director of Heritage International School
08 December 2025

Trust, community, communication — these are the values of the new director of the Heritage International School. Casey M. Barnes has always been in education in different forms and in different

Heritage International School hosts its first educational music event with Moldo Crescendo
05 November 2025

Heritage International School has always believed that education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms, that the most powerful learning happens when we bring the world to our students and

Heritage students excel in Cambridge International Exams
18 September 2025

Heritage students have once again demonstrated remarkable achievement in the prestigious Cambridge International exams, securing top grades across a wide range of subjects. Their success highlights

Meet the Winners of the 2025-2026 “Heritage Scholarships” Program
07 July 2025

Five students from the Republic of Moldova, two of whom are already part of the Heritage International School community and three who are just beginning their journey, have been selected as the

Heritage warmly welcomes its new Director, Casey M. Barnes!
23 June 2025

We are preparing for a beautiful new chapter in the Heritage story, and today we have the honour of officially introducing Casey M. Barnes, who will be joining our team as Director starting August 1,

0a96d6d7438de50945c1e3837709e21f44405988.png
27c70bbafab0490b99673263c0d39e5c11791709.png
171982cfb142bd617e13313218642b5052722186.png
82f444ab27db1176742ae2e47b1ed70668355057.png
16250af04b3dfb8dbee907b57311310a24422220.png
e1fbb3647709354dbf5420f9210b676422051529.png
5ca9cae9840e8695c217add9b76d1d0075488894.png
57b53ee44c083ab4a18d9fdbf126eb1c27470524.png
7e9c2856de18a2673c104784ab7d85bc74126280.png