AVBS Presents Support Strategies for Ukrainian Teachers at the 2nd Annual Teacher Training Conference "Moving Forward Together"
The 2nd Annual Teacher Training Conference "Moving Forward Together" was recently held by Oleg Khaynatskiy, a TEDx Speaker, Lecturer, and CELTA Certified English Teacher from Ukraine. This event brought together passionate educators, providing them with opportunities to reconnect with their purpose through inspiring talks and workshops led by renowned educators.
Participants discovered fresh strategies, practical tools, and innovative ideas designed to enhance their teaching methods and empower their students. The event celebrated the collective impact of educators, highlighting their crucial role in shaping the future.
Tessa Taylor, co-director of AVBS, was among the eight distinguished speakers at the conference. Her presentation, "Guiding Light in Conflict: Essential Teacher Competencies," focused on innovative strategies for supporting educators and students in conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine. She discussed the development and implementation of competence assessments designed to enhance the capabilities of teachers working under wartime circumstances.
Tessa introduced competence assessments at various levels, explaining how these assessments aim to evaluate and enhance specific competencies required by teachers to effectively educate and support children living in conflict areas. The essential competencies include adaptability, emotional resilience, cultural competence, trauma-informed practice, resourcefulness, community engagement, stress management, and advocacy and empowerment.
Following the assessments, AVBS plans to offer a comprehensive suite of professional development and support services:
- Professional Development Workshops: These workshops focus on building the identified competencies, providing teachers with practical strategies and resources for teaching in war zone environments.
- One-on-One Coaching: Individualized coaching sessions will be available for teachers needing additional support in specific areas. These sessions, conducted via video conferencing, will be tailored to address each teacher's unique challenges and needs.
- Feedback and Evaluation: A system for providing feedback and evaluating teachers' performance will be implemented to identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
Tessa also emphasized the importance of competence assessments for students. Tailored to the unique needs of students in conflict zones, these assessments provide valuable insights into their academic abilities and needs. This data will enable teachers to offer more effective and personalized instruction, supporting students' learning and academic success amidst challenging circumstances.
AVBS's comprehensive approach aims to empower educators and students in conflict zones, fostering resilience and success despite the challenges posed by their environments. Tessa Taylor's contributions to the conference underscored AVBS's commitment to providing practical and impactful support to teachers in Ukraine.
