To distract you from the war just for a moment: the story of a Canadian principal who teaches lessons to Ukrainian students
Bayraktars, stingers, javelins - such support from other countries is very important now. But the support of the children provided by hundreds of foreigners is no less valuable for Ukraine. After all, children are about the future of Ukraine and the belief in victory.
One of such foreigners is David Falconer, the principal of the far north Canadian Inuksiut School. Back in early March he joined the online lessons by Smart Osvita, and now he actively involves his colleagues from different parts of Canada and organizes virtual tours for young Ukrainians.
Talking to David is not like a formal meeting with a school principal. He allows himself to be sentimental, express his emotions sincerely and express himself freely. And the lessons with David are full of desire to immerse the children at least a little in a world without war, listen to all opinions and make it even better, and more exciting for them.
It is partly because he can't help but give it his all. And partly because he knows from personal experience what it is like to be a confused child who is afraid for himself and his loved ones.
Read about the incredible David Falconer and his story of Ukrainian children in the article New Ukrainian School and UP.Life.
Motivation for volunteering
David says that he has been following the events in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, empathizing and thinking about how to support Ukrainian families.
Around that time he received an e-mail with a proposal to conduct online lessons for the children from Ukraine:
"For me, the answer was obvious: I wanted to be part of the project, although I didn't fully understand how the zoom presentations would take place. But I was sure that the children would be interested to know where I live, because our tiny town of Qikiqtarjuaq is located beyond the Arctic Circle. "
According to the 2021 census, Qikiqtarjuaq has a population of 593 people. And the school led by David has 143 students.
So in the first online lesson, David was amazed how many kids joined the session:
"At the beginning there were 15 of them, and I thought: not bad! But in a few minutes the number rose to 25, then to 50… From time to time I looked at the numbers: 100 of them, now - 150, and when the number exceeded 200, I was just stunned! "
Ukrainian boys and girls have moved him very much:
"They asked me if I knew what was going on there, and if I loved Ukraine... These are simple questions that really mean "We are suffering a lot and are worried if anyone beyond Ukraine cares" - here David can barely hold his tears. - And I told them: "Yes, there are many people who care. I care! "
David Falconer set himself the goal of transporting his students to amazing places where they could see the icebergs and the Northern Lights, so that when they go to bed, children can think of polar bears, whales and seals instead of the horrors of war:
"On our second session some children started to recognize me. I realized that their normal lives were ruined, most of them going through heavy losses: some lost their homes, some friends, neighbors, and some parents. In these circumstances they need at least some stability, at least some adults not to leave them. I wanted to give them such confidence and to continue the lessons for as long as needed"
The principal has also offered to help invite other Canadian teachers to conduct online classes.
"When every meeting is over, my heart breaks," - shares the teacher. - I feel very sorry for their mothers who do not have even a minute to spare on themselves.
Once, when we were doing a "magic show" (with tricks, ed.), I noticed that some moms also watched the presentation out of the corner of their eye: for them it was almost the only opportunity to get distracted themselves and to take a breath. So I invited them to join. The mothers were happy to actively participate, answer questions, and, I hope, were able to relax at least for a short time. "
David himself, as the school principal, has a lot of every day work, plans and tasks. However, he finds time to spend with Ukrainian children and to organize other teachers. And the secret is that he has loved what he does for 33 years.
"When I see the interest in the eyes of the children who hid in bomb shelters an hour ago, when I see their enthusiasm, sincere curiosity and openness - it gives me incredible motivation. You can't buy it with money. I understand that volunteering is extremely important in such difficult times for Ukraine, "says David.
The teacher believes that it is important for children who are going through such difficult times to get back at least some routine so that they can rely on it.
"I want students to look to the future with hope and belief that they will be able to bring all their plans to life. They need to know and feel that adults care for them, that they love them and accept their feelings.
It is important to be there for them to guide their thoughts into the future. So that before going to bed they would dream of what they will do when the war is over, which countries they will visit and who they will become.
That is why we arrange online tours to interesting places, such as the Dinosaur Museum or the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Perhaps, one of them will think: "I want to work there" or "I want to become a scientist, artist, etc.".
Encouraging children to think and ask questions is one of the teacher's key tasks, thinks David:
"When kids say "I think…" and back up their thoughts with arguments - it's so cool! When they ask about something I don't know - I'm very happy! I say, "I don't know how we're going to do it, but let's try to figure it out! ".
This approach gives children the opportunity to feel themselves as part of a team, to cooperate, to develop leadership qualities and to respect each other. If we want to prepare children for life in today's world, we must teach them to think for themselves, to ask questions, to search for answers. Meaning, to think critically. "
Another goal of the Canadian principal is to give children the opportunity to influence the learning process:
"I want them to make sure that their opinion is important, that it is taken into account. I wait for them to voice what they would like to do, what they would like to know. And when I receive any such request it gives me strength to wake up at 2 am or 4 am, to open my laptop and to create another presentation."
What impresses Ukrainians
In the conversation, David is constantly praising the Ukrainian children, so there is a spontaneous dissonance: it is rare to hear such admiration from a Ukrainian teacher. There was no special selection of well-behaved children for these online lessons.
"From the very first lesson they have impressed me with their determination. - tells David - I just let them speak, encouraged to ask questions. And I saw how much they wanted to be involved, how inquisitive they were and how eager to learn.
I think this determination is part of Ukrainian mentality, it is embedded in your culture and history. When I talk to these children, I realize what incredible leaders are growing in Ukraine, and that no one can stop them. They know there will be many hurdles to overcome, but they are ready for them, they are ready to get around them and to break through. "
David does not think that he was lucky to gather some uniquely determined children.
"No! Through them, I get to know who their parents are, what Ukrainians are like in general. In such difficult times, they are able to remain optimistic.
I'm sure these children will be able to impress anyone! For me, my Ukrainian students are a reflection of their country, its wonderful representatives. I dream of meeting them in person one day. Because I believe that Ukraine is an extraordinary country with extraordinary people.
Methods and Approaches in David’s Sessions
The age composition in David’s session is diverse - from 10 to 18 years. How does he manage to keep all participants interested?
"The topics we discuss are in fact fascinating for all age groups, - the teacher replies.- In their meeting with Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut, where science and space issues were considered, a six year old might asked how astronauts use their toilet, while a teenager enquired what happened with human muscles with prolonged weightlessness. Both questions are curious.
David speaks exclusively English with Ukrainian kids, thus some might be challenged to absorb everything or to stay focused during the whole session.
"I know that kids don’t get all the words of the narrative. To help them out, I slow down, I try to speak with great expression, using body language - facial expressions, enhanced articulation, gestures.
Secondly, Zoom sessions are moderated by a coordinator in Ukraine. If needed, they help with translations. Thirdly, I have a lot of teaching tools, and I am constantly juggling them.
If I talk for 45 minutes, everybody will be bored. To avoid it, I tell them a story, start a video, and show some pictures. Kids are encouraged to ask questions, I give answers, we discuss things, and make jokes. Thus their attention is switched from one action to another, but they remain actively involved in class.
This requires that the teacher has the whole arsenal of tools and methods under their belt, and the ability to apply them in a timely manner. My goal is to make sure that at the end of the session these kids are willing to attend my next class".
Future Projects
To reach his goals, David is planning to create virtual students’ self-governance when he learned that far from every school in Ukraine has a representative students’ organ. Students’ self-governance will be practiced among kids involved in NGO Smart Osvita online meetings.
My counterpart is sure that it will empower kids immensely when they feel that they are in charge.
The director thinks that it is worth starting with very simple things, for example, by teaching kids the basic rules of holding a discussion:
You can ask them if all members of the student council can speak simultaneously. Kids will easily answer this question. This way, we will reach the basic understanding that at a meeting everybody has to have an opportunity to share their thoughts, it is important to listen to each other and speak in turn.
Before electing President, it is important to outline their role and duties, the qualities this person needs to possess to successfully represent the students’ interests.
" After self - evaluation, kids can nominate themselves , - David continues. - After that, they need to write a Cover Letter with their narrative why they are nominating themselves for this position, what they are ready to bring in, what they strive to put into practice, how they will be useful for the student community. Approximately the same is valid for the procedure of self-nomination for the positions of vice president, secretary, chancellor, as well as representatives for different student age groups".
David Falconer has already agreed with the representatives of a private school in Singapore regarding their support of the Ukrainian virtual student council. Students in Singapore will hold an online session of their council while the Ukrainian kids will observe.
David is thrilled by the idea that the Ukrainian kids will make a permanent contact with kids of their age abroad, will establish communication and partnership, will exchange their experiences, and will put their common plans into effect. He is confident that Ukrainian children are capable of implementing the most fantastic projects.
David is convinced that volunteering unites people, promotes close contacts, provides family-like support and mutual responsibility for what is happening in the world.
"When we wake up each morning to our comfortable life of habitual routine and everyday business, we forget how lucky we are, - David says.- Just because we are so lucky, we are responsible for sharing. This is the world where we want to live: the world of good with enough space for everyone.
You know, if Elon Musk walked into my office and offered me to lead Twitter instead of my educational endeavors, I would point him to the door. Why?- because when I see the bright, innocent faces of children, money doesn’t matter. I just want to stand by to bring them joy".
Victoria Makarova, New Ukrainian School, exclusively to UP. Zhyttya