This week, we are excited to announce the special winners of the Talents for Ukraine program — Larysa, Yaroslav, and Kateryna! They have become finalists for the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2024 and recipients of the STEM Teacher Award from the KSE Foundation — an award presented to the best teachers who use innovative approaches in education as part of this initiative. The award includes grants of 200,000 UAH for each of the three winners and highlights their significant contributions to the development of education in Ukraine, as well as the importance of STEM education for future generations.
⭐️Kateryna Korzun — a school principal and a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature who is challenging stereotypes about the perceived limitations of rural schools. One of Kateryna’s key approaches is the integration of STEM technologies into the educational process. During literature lessons, she analyzes physical phenomena and chemical processes with her students and brings soil samples, types of wood, and minerals into the classroom alongside textbooks and notebooks. Kateryna believes that the ability to see connections across different aspects of life becomes a habit that will benefit students throughout their lives.
«Write it in your heart that every day is the best day of your life», Kateryna comments.
⭐️Yaroslav Fedko — a physics teacher whose approach is designed to show students the connection between physics, everyday life, and future technologies through project-based activities, gamification, and interactive learning. Yaroslav uses innovative methods such as blended learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence tools to prepare students for STEM careers. He also organizes science fairs, conducts workshops, and promotes scientific literacy among young people. Additionally, Yaroslav helps students prepare for science competitions where they present their innovations at international exhibitions.
«Find your point of support: without it, your achievements and activities will have no meaning», Yaroslav emphasizes.
⭐️Larisa Romanishin — a teacher of chemistry, physics, and biology who actively engages students in research activities and promotes the development of STEM education in Ukraine. As the facilitator of the winning team in the School Space Experiments Program (SSEP), she, along with her students, will soon visit the United States, where they will have the opportunity to send mini-laboratories for microgravity research to the International Space Station (ISS) using the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s space center. Larysa also collaborates with international organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, and her partnership with schools in Poland contributes to the implementation of innovative educational programs aimed at improving the quality of education.
«The most important lessons are the value of perseverance, the importance of learning from mistakes, and the ability to adapt to change», Larisa comments.
More about the Talents For Ukraine winners
