Lesia Pavliuk

Lesia Pavliuk, a passionate Ukrainian educator, embodies resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to her students and community. Her journey as a teacher began in childhood when she nurtured her love for teaching by educating her younger sister. Growing up, she organized community events, demonstrating her leadership and creativity. After completing her education at Kolomyia Pedagogical College and Chernivtsi National University, Lesia embraced her calling, becoming a primary school teacher in 2012. Her first cohort of students, who recently graduated high school, are a testament to her dedication and influence. 

Teaching amidst the backdrop of war and the COVID-19 pandemic, Lesia has faced extraordinary challenges. Air raid alarms and displaced students are part of her daily reality, but she has adapted with remarkable ingenuity. Recognizing significant learning losses among children, she co-developed “Bukvyk,” a mnemonic-based course for teaching the Ukrainian alphabet, and has been instrumental in helping displaced and returning students recover academically. Her work at the "LIO" learning centre has ensured that fourth graders achieved their expected educational milestones despite adversity. 

Lesia’s innovative teaching methods focus on fostering creativity, emotional well-being, and practical skills. She incorporates educational kinesiology exercises and mnemonics to enhance cognitive development and memory, particularly benefiting children with special needs. Her inclusive classroom approach has helped students with disabilities integrate seamlessly into mainstream education, fostering empathy and understanding among all students. Notably, one of her inclusive students transitioned to a standard curriculum and excelled academically. 

Outside class, Lesia empowers students to engage with real-world issues and take initiative. Her students have organized events like charity fairs, pyjama parties, and even an auction, raising substantial funds for charitable causes. Her classroom is a space where students are encouraged to lead workshops, recommend books, and explore creative ideas, cultivating a sense of responsibility and community. 

Lesia’s influence extends beyond her school. She actively participates in educational reform in Ukraine, training teachers in innovative methods and inspiring resistance to transform into enthusiasm. Her leadership has made her a sought-after speaker at conferences, workshops, and webinars, where she motivates educators and shares best practices. She has also contributed to publishing educational manuals, enriching the teaching profession. 

Her dedication to global citizenship is evident in projects like “The Book of Kindness,” which involved acts of goodwill and collaboration with international partners. Through such initiatives, she instils in her students a sense of global responsibility and interconnectedness. 

In addressing climate change, Lesia integrates sustainable practices into her curriculum. Her students learn to conserve resources, recycle, and appreciate nature through activities like excursions to ecological reserves. These lessons emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship. 

Lesia’s work has been widely recognized, earning her the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2024 and the "Ukrainians' Choice" award. Her vision for education transcends borders, aiming to share Ukraine’s resilience and adaptability with the world. With aspirations to open her own school and continue inspiring students and educators alike, Lesia Pavliuk exemplifies the transformative power of teaching in shaping a brighter future.