This is very special episode of the podcast — one that’s quite personal and rooted in a story that spans generations.

Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of visiting Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceului Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) in Baia Mare, Romania — a school that holds profound meaning for my family. I was there to take part in my mother’s 50th high school reunion, a beautiful moment of reflection and reconnection.

But my family’s connection to this school goes far beyond that. My grandfather  — a respected senior leader in the field of engineering — was among the group of leading engineers who shared a vision of creating a school that developed the future talent in civil building engineering. They created a school where young people could be trained for real careers in engineering, technology, and construction — a vision that continues to shape the school today. My godparents, also respected senior leaders in engineering, taught for many years at the school, bringing their professional experience and expertise to students. Now, that legacy lives on through my godparents’ daughter, Daniela Maria Deceanu, also an engineer who now serves as the Vice Principal of the school.

My own passion for education has been deeply shaped by both of my grandfathers. One, an engineer with a forward-thinking mindset, believed strongly in preparing students for the workforce of the future. The other, a devoted language teacher, passed on a love for words, learning, and communication. My parents carried on their passion for learning by teaching me how to learn and instilling in me the importance of lifelong learning. Their values continue to guide me in my work and in conversations that I have on this podcast. 

In this episode, I sit down with Tudor Andrei Tămâian, the Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School, to talk about what it means to lead a vocational school in today’s world. Tudor shares how the school partners with local industry, facilitates European work exchange programs, and helps students gain practical, hands-on experience. We also talk about the school’s impressive track record at skills olympics and professional competitions, where students consistently prove the power of applied education.

This conversation is about leadership, vision, and the future of vocational learning. 

Tudor Andrei Tămâian is the Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceul Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) in Baia Mare, Romania. He is a highly dedicated professional with a strong academic background in Economics (B.A.), Business Administration, and Human Rights (M.A.).

With over 15 years of experience as an educator and four years as a high school principal, Tudor also brings valuable insights from previous roles in sales and financial services, particularly in credit and banking.

As a school leader, he promotes a collaborative and open management style that values communication, teamwork, and a positive work environment. His decisions are always student-centred, aiming to improve both the learning experience and student outcomes.

Passionate about sharing knowledge and values with younger generations, Tudor is committed to being part of a mission-driven team focused on reducing school dropout rates and increasing the number of students who successfully complete their high school education. He strongly believes in education as a powerful tool for building better futures.

Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceul Tehnologic Anghel Saligny)

https://www.asalignybm.tpsvision.ro