23/01/2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of teachers has become increasingly dynamic, especially when we take into consideration the situation when teachers of Melitopol had to adapt their teaching methods to the situation when their city was occupied and they had to organize distant learning for their students scattered all over Ukraine and Europe. To meet the challenges of the martial law, continuous professional development through effective teacher training sessions has become a cornerstone of educational success of Melitopol educators. That is why the Education Department of the Melitopol City Council of the Zaporizhzhia Region designed a teacher development project consisting of training sessions and in-person meetings for educators, getting a grant from the US Embassy in Ukraine.
The demands on educators today are diverse, ranging from integrating technology into lessons to addressing the unique needs of individual learners. Teacher training is a necessity in equipping educators with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. For educators in Melitopol, the most important topics of professional development appear to be media literacy, to counter Russian propaganda and teach our students to think critically, and IT skills, in order to make our lessons more motivating and to increase the effectiveness of the online educational process. Another crucial issue for our teachers is trauma therapy to create a safe and developmental learning environment, helping students overcome traumatic experiences. Teachers need to be trained to identify manifestations of traumatic experiences in students and respond accordingly. Finally, the most important aspect is educational leadership, which will allow us to implement all the knowledge and skills gained during the aforementioned training sessions to navigate the challenges and foster positive changes after the de-occupation of our city.
Two training sessions on leadership skills were provided by our partner, Dr. Amanda Johnson, director of the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education (Kent State University, Ohio) and her colleague Dr. Mandy Cenker. The main topics of the sessions for educators were “Educators as Scholar and Leader” while school administrators discussed such issues as “Educational Leadership Theory & Practice and their practical application”.
The training sessions attracted great attention from our educators, with more than 100 of them registering and actively participating. In the words of Iryna Y., teacher of English «We are so grateful for having such an awesome trainer! We have not only acquired knowledge but also had the chance for self-understanding and self-reflection. Eager to have one more chance to collaborate». Iryna B., vice-principal of one of Melitopol schools also mentioned « I was incredibly impressed with the recent training session on leadership in education. The content was relevant, engaging, and thought-provoking, and the facilitator Dr. Amanda Johnson did an excellent job of creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment. The facilitator was engaging and knowledgeable, with a clear passion for the subject matter. The training session was highly interactive, with participants actively participating in discussions, sharing their own experiences, and collaborating on problem-solving activities. Dr. Johnson created a safe and inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable participating.
She encouraged open discussion and diverse perspectives, which led to a richer learning experience for all. Overall, the training session was an invaluable experience that provided me with valuable knowledge, skills, and inspiration to be a more effective leader in the field of education”.
In the pursuit of educational excellence, teacher training sessions emerge as a powerful catalyst for positive change. Empowering educators with the knowledge and skills they need not only elevates individual teaching practices but also transforms the entire educational landscape.
The experience of teachers who worked with students of Melitopol under martial law shows that the educational process must be flexible and meet the requirements of today and we believe that training sessions organized within the framework of the project “Regeneration of the educational system of Melitopol in the context of the war and world integration prospects” will contribute greatly to the restoration of the education on our city after de-occupation and help us support our students during these challenging times.
