They teach students in the morning and then study themselves afterwards. They also have time to pass on their knowledge to their colleagues. These are the skills of the super-teachers who participate in the Terre des hommes Foundation's Preparing Schools for Social Cohesion program.
The program takes place in the format of cascade trainings - experienced Tdh trainers train school teachers and psychologists, and they, in turn, train colleagues from their own and other schools.
In 2023, 132 teachers from 33 educational institutions mastered Tdh's Movement, Games, Sports and Creativity (MGSC) methodology, as well as received training in non-violent communication and first aid. Today they bring this knowledge to their communities.
"Our teachers came back from these trainings with shining eyes. In my opinion, this is exactly how educators should be. So I strongly support their desire to pass on this knowledge and inspire other colleagues," said Yuriy Bulanov, director of the Zachepylivka Lyceum.
At the end of December 2023, a child-friendly space was opened in the Zachepyliv Lyceum in Kharkiv Oblast after renovation. While the students were on vacation, teachers were trained in the MGSC methodology to conduct psychosocial sessions for children. Sessions for colleagues are conducted by Maksym Yachevsky and Andriy Petrenko, who mastered the methodology at trainings held by Tdh in the fall.
Such events are held in each of the 33 schools currently under Tdh's care. School principals say that the trainings have become so popular that even teachers from neighboring schools come to them. And they are happy to share their skills and knowledge with them. After all, this is the goal of the program - to strengthen social cohesion and help children.
The project is implemented by the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Ukraine with the financial support of the EU4ResilientRegions - Special Assistance to Ukraine Program, implemented by the German federal company Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Government.
