This year, I left my home country of Romania, where I taught maths for 28 years, to begin a new teaching life at Monroe High School in North Carolina in the US.

In Romania, the politics had infiltrated the school system. Schools were no longer about education and normality, but about the thirst for conflict, power and money. But I remain devoted to the profession.

I grew up with a love for maths, a love for children and huge admiration for my middle-school teacher. It was all of these things that led me to choose to teach.

I have not a trace of regret about leaving for the US. In comparison with my home country, the US has a very professional system of education. Beyond the academic success, there is a belief that, through education, students will create a better future for themselves and for the world.

At Monroe, I have between 17 and 25 in a class. Back in Romania, I had 32-37. The fewer the students in the classroom, the better I can help them to flourish with their academic work and leadership, and relate to them on a personal level.

Suzy Manuela Prajea is a maths teacher at Monroe High School, Union County Public Schools, North Carolina, US