Tetiana Vakuliuk: The social status of a teacher affects the quality of education

“Improving the social status of teachers will affect the quality of education for future generations”

This year, a teacher from Dnipro, Tatiana Vakuliuk, won the professional award Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2021 in the nomination This year, a teacher from Dnipro, Tatiana Vakuliuk, won the professional award Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2021 in the nomination “Choice by Heart” from Natalia Moseychuk. For several years she was the only teacher in the children’s anti-tuberculosis department of the Kryvyi Rih TB Dispensary because teachers are afraid to work with children suffering from tuberculosis. Tatiana has not been afraid and has been teaching all subjects to all children from freshmen to graduates for eight years. In 2020, the Superheroes School began operating in the hospital. Thereafter the conditions in which children study and the teacher works have changed qualitatively. The story of Tatiana Vakuliuk can be an example of how not to rest on one’s oars, seek new knowledge and gain unique experience that can be useful for other teachers.

Please, tell us how and why you chose to teach in the hospital. Was it a “Choice by Heart”, or was it a search for a new experience?

Eight years ago, I was invited to work as a teacher in the children’s department of the TB dispensary. It all happened quickly because they urgently needed a teacher (the school year has already begun). And I, having little doubt, agreed. Preparation for the first lesson was a roll of the dice because I had no idea what to do and how to act. After the first working day, I realized that this was it. This is where I am needed. I cried from the emotions later, at home. In front of the children, I behaved as if nothing had happened.
So, try to guess which question I hear most often? “Aren’t you afraid to work there?” Honestly? Of course, it’s scary a little bit when you do an X-ray. Normal? Normal! Phew! But I ask a counter-question: “Aren’t you afraid to use public transport, or to go to the store?” Because let’s be honest, this is a disease that can be caught anywhere. So, eat well, do sports, and follow sanitary requirements – and everything will be fine!

What unique experience have you gained from teaching in a hospital school?

Yes, the word “unique” is the right one here, because you probably won’t get this experience anywhere else. First, children are all of different ages. Sometimes there were only 1 or 2 children in each class, then it was difficult. Very difficult! And it is a little easier when there are 4 or 5 children in the first grade, and others are already older. At first, I did not understand how to conduct lessons in such conditions, and then I developed a scheme. Firstly, I give tasks for self-study to elder students, and then I pay more attention to primary school kids. Sometimes high school students cope with a task earlier and help me with the little kids. They do sums and write letters. That’s how we work – a big family. Secondly, children are very different in character. Especially the little ones. It is difficult for them. They are in an unfamiliar situation. Parents are far away. We have had our ups and downs. There have been tears and hysterics, but calmly, slowly, with love, day after day I try to change it. I once told how I was going up the stairs and heard the children sing: “One, two, three, Tatiana Mykolaiivna please come!”. Several times in a row. I froze. And then a thought flashed through my mind that everything I do is not in vain. That among these pills, tests, and treatments, children need a person who has nothing to do with medicine. A person with whom they can forget they are stuck inside those walls.

How has the hospital classroom changed after joining the Superheroes School?

A year ago a miracle happened that I had never even dreamed of. Thanks to the cooperation of the Superheroes School, the Director General of the Kryvyi Rih TB Dispensary Natalia Grankina, and the Dnipro Regional State Administration, our hospital has received a classroom and a game room equipped with the cutting-edge technologies. They renovated everything from the ceiling to the door. Now we have got modern appliances and new furniture. And most importantly, now we see the happy eyes of children who are now engaged in super comfortable conditions. From the teacher’s point of view, I can finally work to the fullest. I used to download materials at home to a flash drive and bring it to the hospital, there always was one thing after another…and now everything you need is nearby. It saves a lot of time. I know that I can reach out to the staff of the “Superheroes School” with any questions, and I will get qualified help. I have participated in hospital teachers’ conferences, and it was a great experience. I want more!

It is impossible for a teacher or anyone else to know everything. You help children learn all the subjects of the school curriculum. What skills do you need for this? What are the unanswered questions children ask and how do you encourage them to self-educate?

Although I graduated from school with a gold medal for excellence, it was a long time ago… So, of course, giving qualified help in science to high school students is difficult for me. However, I have recently given an algebra class to the 10th grade. The topic was modules. And it so vividly reminded me (of my school years) that I got excited, I explained, and I covered the whole board with writing. I looked at the children, they were figuring equations, and I realized they had got a grasp on the topic. I felt so joyful. I will only say that we must constantly develop ourselves. At the same time, do not be afraid of questions to which you will not have answers. This will be an occasion for the child, and you, to work with additional sources (a textbook, the Internet). By the way, we not only study, but we also know how to have fun at the hospital. We prepare for each holiday in advance: scripts, poems, dances, costumes, and songs. The kids really like it. And even those who have not performed on stage before are happy to learn, worry, and get dressed.

What do you continue to study yourself, and what experience does modern education require of you?

Thanks to the “Superheroes School” network, I took a course “How to teach superheroes. An online hospital teacher training course”. The acquired knowledge is very helpful in the course of work. Scientific progress does not stand still, so I have learned how to work with modern equipment, I am constantly working with new materials to excite the curiosity of my pupils. I am improving my English language skills. I have recently got to an English school. The goal is to pass an international exam. They say if you are a teacher, you can do anything. I agree with it, I think. I have had a hobby since childhood – sewing clothes. In recent years I have been steadily growing in this direction. I have studied and now I can call myself a teacher of tailoring. Because I can sew almost anything for almost anyone. And I am also the mother of a two-time European champion in taekwondo. This miracle is 13 years old and her name is Uliana. This is my pride! To keep up with my child, I have been going to the gym for several years. And I really like it. Also, thanks to my daughter and her constant training, I became a driver. It turned out that I love driving a car. I really love it.

The Superheroes School has a “Dream Lesson”. What do children dream of and what does a teacher who teaches them dream of?

Oh, children dream… They really know how to dream. Devotedly, sincerely believe that it will come true. In the first year of my work on the eve of St. Nicholas’ Day, we wrote letters, solemnly handed them over to the headmaster (because he is the main one for the children) and started waiting. During this time, I called all the parents, collected the gifts and hid them. But many children have no one to take care of them… Organized a fundraiser and it all worked out. The nurses gave a present to everyone at night. You know, when I went to the department in the morning, the kids were rushing, almost knocking me off my feet, and everyone was showing me what Nicholas’ had brought them with their eyes burning, and their smiles so sincere. And you are probably happier than children at that moment. Because it all worked out, it came true. Many children dream of health, and also of princesses and cars, of course. But recently there has been a Dream Lesson and I remember David wanting to conquer time so that it could be stopped. An unusual desire, right?

This year you have received the professional award Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2021 in the nomination “Choice by Heart”. How did it happen?

It happened quite unexpectedly for me. I was going home and got a call from the founder of the “Superheroes School” Evgenia Smirnova. She invited me to take part in the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine. I, of course, agreed. Then I quickly looked for tickets and thought about what to wear. The sheer thought of being involved in this significant event had already inspired me. When Ms Natalia Moseychuk started speaking, I felt somewhere in my heart that they would call me then. To be honest, I have never felt such emotions.

What support and recognition do you think teachers need and what does it affect?

Currently, the academic profession is not relevant. Many young professionals who have received pedagogical education do not want to work at school. Low wages and a large amount of workload (both psychological and physical) fall on the shoulders of educators. And not everyone has the inner zeal to cope with the endless workload. Unfortunately, nowadays, through social networks, people who don’t even know what it feels like to work at school, allow themselves inappropriate statements toward educators, thereby undermining the authority of a teacher. Therefore, we need increased media coverage, social networks, and support pages about the achievements of our teachers, because they really have something to be proud of. Raising the social status of teachers is the key to their perseverance. And this will affect the quality of education of the next generation.

Interview at Osvitoria: https://osvitoria.media/experience/pidvyshhennya-sotsialnogo-statusu-vchytelya-vplyne-na-yakist-osvity/