Yuliia KUZMENKO, participant in the regional competition "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the nomination "Youth Worker of the Year."
Yuliia Kuzmenko: A Dedicated Educator and Community Leader in Donetsk Region
Yuliia Kuzmenko is a pedagogical organizer and biology teacher at Maksymilianivka General Secondary Education Institution of I-III degrees. She also serves as Deputy Head of the Youth Council under the Marinka City Military Administration and is a loving wife and mother of two wonderful children.
Born in 1992 in the village of Maksymilianivka, Marinka district, Yuliia began her educational journey at Heorhiivka School, graduating with a gold medal. Despite advice from teachers and family to pursue journalism or philology, Yuliia chose science, enrolling in the Biology Department of Donetsk National University. She earned a diploma in "Biophysics," qualifying as a Master of Biophysics and a teacher of biology and computer science. During her university studies, her most significant achievement was developing patents for useful models for assessing genuine anxiety and human olfactory activity.
In 2013-2014, due to the danger of staying in Donetsk, her postgraduate studies had to be postponed indefinitely. Yuliia then began her professional career at her home school as a physics and biology teacher. She embraced these life changes as a challenge, finding motivation and inspiration in teaching. Her students consistently achieved top places in subject Olympiads, successfully passed external independent evaluations (ZNO), and enrolled in higher education institutions in natural science specialties. Yuliia participated in the fourth (un)conference of teachers EdCamp in July 2018, and from 2018-2020, she was part of the creative group of the district methodical association of physics teachers working on "Designing the Educational Process in Physics in Secondary School according to the New Curriculum."
The year 2021 brought a new challenge for Yuliia when Heorhiivka School's operations were suspended. A vacant position for a pedagogical organizer at Maksymilianivka School prompted her to explore this new direction, which opened up new professional horizons.
Soon after, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. The shelling of her native village, evacuation, concern for her family, and the challenges of remote learning further tempered Yuliia's spirit. Her active civic stance, commitment to self-improvement, and deep love for her homeland became a true driving force and guide in her profession. Yuliia's students are active participants in educational and extracurricular activities aimed at fostering patriotism, social activity, responsibility, and universal moral values. They consistently win prizes in events like the "Young Dzhury" training camps, the regional national-patriotic quest "Know and Love Your Land," the regional national education video contest "National Education - the Future of the State," the All-Ukrainian STEM Week, and the STEAM Tournament.
Yuliia dedicates special attention to volunteer activities, actively involving students and parents. On her initiative, she organized a charity campaign to help homeless animals at the "Teremok" society in Kurakhove, under the motto "Protecting the weak is a strong deed!" She also organized collections for Ukrainian Armed Forces military units for St. Nicholas Day and the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, Yuliia conducts biology lessons for 10-11th grade students at the volunteer educational hub of the Marinka city community.
Yuliia is an active member of the creative group that developed and created the electronic format of the "Book of Memory" "Marinka Community: Heavenly Legion." She also helps organize meetings for children from the Marinka community with representatives of the International Charitable Foundation "The Power of Family Unity." As Deputy Head of the Youth Council, she actively participates in forums, focus group work, strategic sessions, and trainings organized by the public organization "Zakhody" and the Donetsk Regional State Administration.
Yuliia Kuzmenko is a woman who deeply understands that despite circumstances, challenges, and obstacles, one can always find the strength to assert their identity, foster growth, and educate the future generation. Her tireless work is a shining example of her dedication to her calling and her profound love for her homeland.