When we start a phone conversation with Lilia Mykolaivna, she warns: the phone has 34% charge, so the interview may be interrupted. I have 28% – and these are the realities of war, to which everyone is already accustomed. You have to work even when the only tools left are a notebook and a pen. Liliya Mykolaivna Mishchenko is a teacher of KZO “Kryvyorizh Lyceum “Zherelo” DOR”. She teaches English to lyceum students, studies at a master’s degree in psychology, writes poetry and prose. We are talking about education in war conditions, the psychological state of students, motivation and new approaches to work.
Summer is in full swing. Children’s din outside the window reminds us that schoolchildren are on vacation.
– Liliya Mykolaivna, is it true that teachers look forward to summer vacation even more than students?
Yes, and this is what all my colleagues say. I think it is correct. Everyone needs rest to recharge. This is all the more true for experienced teachers who have considerable work experience, who prepare responsibly for classes, are concerned about the performance of students… We are all waiting for rest in order to gather strength for the future.
– How did teaching change with the start of a full-scale war?
The war completely changed the attitude to education. If before the war, the most valuable thing for us was the performance of the students, now we care most about the psychological state of children, the state of the students’ families, because many of them have parents defending Ukraine and now they are where explosions and gunshots are heard. Children of defenders live in constant stress. I have many such students. Their psychological comfort came to the fore. And the load from teachers has become more dosed.
– Have the conditions of study also changed?
Yes, we used to work in classes, constantly saw each other and talked. Now distance format has been introduced in schools. However, students always have a choice – online or mixed form. For teachers, this is, of course, an additional burden during training. It is necessary to prepare differently in order to conduct lessons in the classroom and at the same time conduct a broadcast for those outside the institution. If earlier we talked about the mandatory presence of students in class, now a large amount of material goes to independent study. Students work on their own and this also gives results.
– You not only teach, but also learn…
Yes, I am a master’s student, I have completed my first year of studies. During the next year, I will write a diploma thesis and soon I will have the specialty of psychology, I will add it to my professional piggy bank.
– Why exactly psychology?
It hurts when communicating with students and parents to realize how many psychological problems they have. She decided to study in order to psychologically help people.
I study literature, attend interesting lectures. I already have the knowledge that allows me to conduct trainings and psychological relief with students. Many of them need psychological support after the explosions, after reading the news. I try to support in their souls faith in the best, faith in victory…
– What about students who are abroad?
They experience all the hardships of emigration because, first of all, they live with a sense of uncertainty. They do not know when they will return to Ukraine. Secondly, they have an additional burden: they simultaneously study in Ukrainian schools and lyceums and attend foreign educational institutions. They do not leave the desire to get a high school graduation certificate in Ukraine as well. Children miss communication with classmates very much. They are scattered across different countries – the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Spain, Italy, France, the USA, Canada… They miss their friends, their relatives, their pets and, in general, their past life. Some of them, of course, adapted. Improves English abroad, studies German or Norwegian there. However, their psychological state also needs help. I am in contact with them 24/7 – and not only as a teacher, but also as a class teacher. 24 hours a day, they can write me messages not only of educational content, but also personal ones. The war left an imprint on the souls of our children both in Ukraine and abroad.
– Indeed, psychology as a profession is gaining special importance today… And how do they treat your studies at the lyceum?
My entry into the master’s program was a surprise for everyone. A teacher who has been working in the same institution for 27 years unexpectedly goes to study by herself. Colleagues asked the question: why do you need it? People are different, so she answered each one individually, gave examples, explained that everyone has the right to self-development and self-improvement. And by law, everyone has the right to education. So when I brought the certificate about the session, they let me go.
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– Now there is a lot of talk about digitalization of the school. How much benefit and how much harm is digital to schoolchildren and teachers?
This question cannot be answered unequivocally.
First of all, we will no longer be able to give it up, because the war in the country and online covers many areas of our lives. Does such training provide advantages? Yes, our children are well done, they all know how to master any programs, are fluent in computer technologies, it is not a problem for them to join classes, prepare assignments, and perform project work. But in my opinion, the meaning of live communication is lost – sincere looks, hugs are lost… As a teacher working in an institution where there is a mixed form of education, I see how important it is for children to come to the lyceum. Here they overcome the lack of communication. Live communication is an additional incentive to attend the lyceum.
Many students chose the mixed form, despite their parents’ concerns and efforts to go completely online. Children come to the lyceum, dance, sing, prepare concerts, and do volunteer work.
They inspire each other with their positive attitude towards solving any problems, inspire each other with their friendship. This is especially important for those children whose parents are currently in hot spots. I see their sad eyes and I want to help. The lyceum has created such an atmosphere that every child feels comfortable.
– Now it is fashionable to mention the theory of generations. You belong to generation X, your students belong to generation Z. Do you feel this difference?
I don’t feel it, first of all, because I am the mother of an 18-year-old daughter. So I was not far away from my students. Together with my daughter, we went through all the moments of adolescence, the beginning of student life. I feel very comfortable communicating with my students. I am used to looking at any problem not only with my own eyes, but also with the eyes of children. I constantly repeat to them that the most important thing is to preserve their mental health, because they are the future of our country.
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– Let’s imagine a funny situation. The students put a button on your chair – how would you react?
Such a situation is not real for me, because during the lesson I do not sit on any chair. I teach English in a modern dynamic format, at the same time I have an online connection. There is simply no time to sit down. Probably, the button can be placed not on a chair, or not in the lyceum, but in another place… (laughs)
– One more, purely teacher’s question. Why do they say that the bell is only for the teacher?
Each teacher prepares for the lesson and tries to give students a large amount of information in a limited time. He always wants to give children as much as possible, but children have the right to a break between lessons and rest. That is probably why it is believed that only a bell can stop a teacher.
– The bell rings, the lesson ends, the teachers go to the teacher’s room. I wonder what they do there during the break?
I’m also curious, because I don’t go there. I spend breaks with my students. They approach, ask something either about the subject or of a personal nature. We talk about psychological topics, discuss volunteer issues. Many students are engaged in volunteer work, for example, at enterprises where their parents work. We are talking about how to help homeless animals. There are so many of them now…
– What are you most proud of?
– My students win competitions, Olympiads, have prizes in the National Academy of Arts. Participate in conferences held by universities. We all have certain results, but for today the most important thing is that they are real people, patriots who help, who support each other both psychologically and physically.
– Let’s go back to the origins. How and why did you choose the profession of a teacher?
My choice was probably influenced by the example of my teachers. I always really liked to study, I loved all disciplines, not only foreign language. She didn’t have free time, everything was scheduled by the hour. Not a moment for idleness. She graduated from school with a medal, received a musical education at the same time, and was going to pursue a career as a musician. However, after a trip to Europe in the ninth grade, she fell in love with the English language. And I made a choice that has determined my entire life to this day.
– What inspires you?
In my teaching practice, I am most inspired by the curiosity of the students, the extraordinary presentation of the material, and the interesting conduct of the lessons. It is also important that I myself am learning now. When children cannot master something, I tell them, I was able to and you can. This is a very important motivation for them.
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– Teacher has long been considered one of the most respected professions. Do you feel this respect from the state?
I’m probably lucky, and I have the respect of my students. I meet my graduates on the street, those who have already become mothers and fathers. They bring their children to the school. I am proud of all my graduates. I love everyone, but of course there are those who have become my followers – teachers, translators. And it is extremely valuable.
– What would you like to wish your students?
I always say: knowing English has become normal for every Ukrainian. Master another profession. Be passionate about psychology. Find motivation for yourself. And I would like to end our interview with lines that I dedicated to the children of the war.
Children pray for a gentle sleep –
Where there are no rockets and bombs.
Horror, when in the sky, like those daggers,
Military stingers fly and burn.
How to explain to children that they are friends
They will not leave the kindergartens on the street.
What is in parks, ponds and gardens
Mines are on the roads.
My heart aches with pain and tears…
When will peace prevail everywhere in Ukraine?
Let the enemy leave the little one alone!
Stop the clock of this cruel war!
We believe in the Soldiers of our State,
Dear, brave and majestic!
Who did not run away from the war abroad,
Courageously stood up to protect the children of Ukraine!
