On the remote Greek island of Telendos, Despina Michail is living an extraordinary teaching experience—she's the sole educator for the island’s only student.
Her assignment to Telendos has been both a unique adventure and a significant challenge. Like all remote postings in Greece, it comes with logistical and emotional hurdles. Yet, with a smile on her face, Despina focuses on her mission: to inspire her fourth-grade student, Savvas, to love learning just as much as he loves the sea.
A Journey Through the Islands
This is far from Despina's first teaching role. She’s previously worked in Halkidiki, Crete, Kastellorizo, and Patmos. Originally from Serres and Florina, she was born and raised in Germany and moved to Greece at 18 to study education at the University of Alexandroupoli.
After graduating, she began applying for teaching posts across Greece, eventually finding herself on an island-hopping journey that led her to the Dodecanese—and this year, to Kalymnos.
“I had visited Kalymnos once before, but never Telendos,” she told makthes.gr, explaining her decision to accept the post: “Since my husband is in Patmos, I wanted to be somewhere I could still reach home. When I couldn’t get a post in the 4th Dodecanese, I applied for the 3rd and landed in Kalymnos. It was the best decision I could have made. Once I arrived, the education department asked who was willing to go to Telendos.”
Was it a difficult decision? “Telendos is considered a hard-to-reach area, which means teachers receive extra points. And I thought, since I’d be far from home anyway, why not embrace a once-in-a-lifetime experience?” she said.
Telendos is a tiny island with just 25 permanent residents in the winter. It truly comes alive in the summer, when tourists arrive from neighboring Kalymnos. Once part of Kalymnos itself, it became a separate landmass after a massive earthquake in the 6th century AD.
A Daily Voyage and a One-Student Classroom
Despina’s daily routine begins early. She leaves Kalymnos at 7:15 a.m. for Myrties, where she boards a small boat to Telendos. “So far, the weather’s been good and I haven’t had any issues,” she noted. “But I’ve been warned that in the winter, storms sometimes prevent the crossing.”
Waiting for her at the charming harbor of Telendos is Savvas, the island’s only student. Last year, Savvas studied on the island until November before moving to Kalymnos. But this year, he chose to return—he missed his home.
“Savvas is our only student, and we take good care of him,” Despina said. “He’s a wonderful, free-spirited boy who absolutely loves fishing. Boats are his whole life. He didn’t enjoy being in Kalymnos. Telendos is where he belongs.”
Teaching with Creativity and Heart
Teaching in a single-student classroom requires a different approach. “It’s challenging for both of us. In a one-teacher school, it’s not just about textbooks or curriculum—it’s about building a meaningful, trusting relationship so that learning becomes a joy,” she explained.
Despina tailors her lessons to Savvas’s interests. “I use tricks like incorporating boats and fish into reading exercises. It’s important he learns to dream. He’s a social child, but he doesn’t have other kids to play with, so I often have to be his playmate too.”
Discipline still matters: “He knows when it’s time to focus, I’m more strict. But when we have time, we do crafts and other activities.”
What does she gain from Savvas? “His love for Telendos is so deep—it’s contagious. All his dreams are rooted in this little island.”
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Learning
The school year in Telendos didn’t start as smoothly as in other places. Some last-minute repairs meant the classroom temporarily moved to a space provided by the local church. “There are still some things missing, but it’s a good school overall. The Municipality of Kalymnos helped fix what was needed, including the playground,” Despina said.
She also ensures that learning goes beyond the classroom. “We’ve joined a program from the University of the Aegean that focuses on beach cleanliness,” she added.
When asked whether she’d return to Telendos next year, Despina responded honestly: “It’s still early to say, but I’d definitely love to. I like building long-term relationships with my students.”
Despina Michail’s story is a reminder of the power of dedication, creativity, and heart in education—no matter how small the classroom.
