Ukraine Education Support Projects

CPL is currently facilitating two education projects in Ukraine to support the resilient Ukrainian educators through the war and help them build toward their bright futures.

The first initiative, funded by Porticus, creates opportunities for early childhood educators, primary school teachers, and practical psychologists in Ukraine to better support children in their classrooms and learning programs through trauma-informed approaches to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), as well as social and emotional learning (SEL).

In partnership with the Ukrainian Institute of Education for Development (YIPO in Ukrainian) and working directly with early childhood education experts in Ukraine, including 10 Ukrainian early childhood educators, CPL is facilitating a process of adapting and contextualizing four courses on trauma-informed practice, child well-being and protection, MHPSS, and SEL to the Ukrainian context, culture, and language.

In late spring/summer of 2023, these professional development resources will be made available to ministry, INGO, CBO, and school leaders and distributed directly to teachers through multiple channels with an aim of reaching more than 5,000 educators across the country by the end of 2023. The resources will then be integrated into numerous professional learning spaces for continued uptake and use in 2024 and beyond. This initiative builds upon the already resilient, innovative, and caring capacities of Ukrainian educators to ensure holistic learning for every Ukrainian child and to support both educators’ and children’s well-being.

The second initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of State, focuses on enriching English language teacher preparation programs at pedagogical universities and other higher education institutions through exploration of English language teaching (ELT) methodologies, teacher observation and feedback, and integration of social and emotional learning.

This project brings 30 ELT faculty members from across Ukraine together in dialogue, reflection, and professional growth within a facilitated community of practice. This community of practice seeks to provide critical support for the faculty members during the war while also building their professional networks and enriching their professional practice. CPL is partnering with the Regional English Language Office of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, Dr. Laura Baecher of Hunter College/City University of New York, and TESOL colleagues and affiliates across the U.S. and around the world to offer biweekly workshops and asynchronous learning activities in the spring of 2023 for 30 Ukrainian faculty members, followed by a three-week visit to New York City for 15 participants and a virtual NYC visit for those unable to travel. In addition to building U.S.-Ukrainian relationships and supporting Ukrainian faculty well-being and connection in this time of crisis, this project also seeks to develop competencies to deliver engaging and locally relevant curriculum that is current and practice-focused, and that advances local teachers’ capacity to teach English effectively.

To learn more about either of these initiatives, contact Julie Kasper at jkasper@ceinternational1892.org or join our mailing list for updates.

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