For Maria Eleni Apostolopoulou, a Sylff fellowship recipient at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, education is more than a public requirement. It is a promise of belonging and growth for all children, regardless of ability or background.
Apostolopoulou visited the Sylff Association secretariat on April 7, 2026, during a trip to several Japanese destinations. A trained kindergarten teacher who received a master’s degree in special education in December 2025, she has focused her academic and professional energies on what inclusive education can and should be. “I could never imagine excluding a child from any educational process,” she explains. “Education must be a safe space for all children, not a place where difference becomes a reason for marginalization.”
Inclusion as a Foundation, Not an Exception
Apostolopoulou’s vision challenges traditional distinctions between “general” and “special” education. Rather than treating inclusion as an add‑on response, she believes it should form the foundation of all educational practice. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in empathy, play‑based learning, and respect for each child’s unique pace and abilities—factors that make children eager to go to school.
“I don’t really like the word ‘special education’ because it suggests there’s something different that requires special treatment in the classroom,” she notes. “A truly inclusive education would ensure that every child feels valued, understood, and supported.”
This conviction has shaped her academic focus as well. For her master’s thesis, Apostolopoulou examined teachers’ views and experiences regarding their preparedness for inclusive teaching roles. Through interviews and field interactions with educators at various levels, she found that many teachers feel underprepared to implement inclusive practices despite policy commitments to inclusion.
“I think it’s important to be familiar with special education if you want to do a good job as a teacher. Most teachers aren’t adequately taught to address special needs in the classroom so that no student feels excluded. I chose this field because I felt it would give me the knowledge to include them all.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Sylff Fellowship played a pivotal role in allowing Apostolopoulou to deepen both her theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Fellowship support enabled her to pursue professional training, including seminars on intellectual disability and alternative communication methods such as Makaton—an approach widely used to support children with autism.
An unexpected outcome of her fellowship was her collaboration with the University of Nicosia, where she contributed to the development of a guide on disabilities and appropriate educational practices. Through extensive research and data analysis, Apostolopoulou helped translate academic knowledge into applied guidance for educators—an experience she describes as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
“Without the fellowship, these experiences would not have been possible,” she reflects. “It didn’t just support my studies; it expanded my professional horizons.”
From Research to Real‑World Impact
Beyond academia, she is engaged in volunteer work and leadership activities. She has served as a team leader in children’s summer camps, volunteered with NGOs supporting children in need, and recently earned certification in Braille, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and accessibility. She is currently creating a haptic children’s book that tells a story about life through texture and sound.
These experiences reinforce her belief that inclusion thrives through collaboration—among teachers, families, specialists, and communities. “No child’s education exists in isolation,” she says. “When we work together, inclusion becomes more natural.”
A Vision for the Future
Ultimately, she aspires to establish an open and innovative school where children with and without disabilities, from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, learn and grow side by side. Until then, she is committed to gaining hands‑on experience, refining her research, and advocating for systemic change in teacher education and educational policy.
A group photo with partner Stefanos Philippou and the Sylff Association secretariat staff.
Through her passion, leadership, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential, Maria Eleni Apostolopoulou embodies the values of the Sylff community—demonstrating how education, when guided by empathy and purpose, can become a powerful force for bridging differences and transforming society.
The Sylff Association secretariat lauds her initiatives and affirms its continued support for her work, recognizing her commitment to inclusive practice, professional growth, and social engagement as an outstanding example of how Sylff fellows translate their ideals into social action.
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Sakata expressed her hope of applying the lessons from her current trip to Japan to make a greater contribution to the Sylff community in São Paulo and beyond. The secretariat was heartened by her offer and looks forward to sharing her future engagements with the broader Sylff community. (Compiled by Nozomu Kawamoto)