Maria Friberg

Maria Friberg
Head of Schools, Tellusbarn

What is your role within the Tellus Group?
I am the director of Tellusbarn’s southern preschools and am currently also the principal in charge of two of them.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My days are very varied, which I really appreciate. I visit all the preschools where I serve as principal to hold meetings and act as a sounding board for my principals. At the preschools where I am the principal, I have many conversations with the teachers and step in to help with the children’s groups when needed, for example during professional development sessions.

I’m also involved in shaping and developing our operations at a more strategic level, working alongside the management team and other roles within the company. Developing both our operations and the people within them—and being able to do so together—is so inspiring and rewarding.

I am currently in the process of opening a preschool in Vega, Haninge, which will be a major cultural preschool, and in August we will be opening a new preschool in Ursvik, which will have a Swedish-English focus.

If you were to recommend a friend to apply to Tellusgruppen, what points would you emphasize?
I think my friends already see the fact that I’ve been working here since 2011 as a recommendation in itself. But I would also highlight that we have short decision-making processes, that employees are encouraged to get involved, and that we offer excellent opportunities for professional growth.

We focus on real solutions rather than problems, and I’m proud that we’ve made it a priority to have special education teachers, art teachers, and so on, even though times are tough.

About
Name: Maria Friberg
Years with Tellusgruppen: I started in 2011 as an assistant preschool director and preschool teacher at one of our smaller preschools, and was soon entrusted with the role of preschool director. After that, I worked for many years as a principal at three of our preschools, while also training to become a principal. During my final year of principal training, I was entrusted with the role of school director for all our preschools in southern Stockholm.
Education: Preschool teacher and principal
What do you like to do in your free time: Spend time with family, friends, and my two dogs, preferably in Roslagen 😊