Participant of the regional contest "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the nomination "Heart Dedicated to the Donetsk Region" Kateryna Anenkova
I am Kateryna Anenkova—an educator-organizer and art teacher at Kostiantynivka General Secondary School I–III Grades № 6. I see my mission as being an example of a modern educator who not only organizes, but also personally participates in civic and patriotic initiatives that form public consciousness.
My pedagogical journey began immediately after graduating from Bakhmut Pedagogical College—as a music director at Kostiantynivka Preschool № 17 "Kolobok." Since then, I have chosen the path of inspiration, care, and development for the younger generation every day. While working at the preschool, I simultaneously earned a higher education degree at Donbas State Pedagogical University, where I received the professional qualification of "Primary School Teacher. Music Teacher."
Then the war came... Forced evacuation, a new city, new trials, and challenges. I worked as a tutor in a model school, a teacher in a private kindergarten, and was even a nanny for a wonderful boy. But my heart was always with my native Kostiantynivka. So, when I was offered the position of educator-organizer at Kostiantynivka General Secondary School I–III Grades № 6, I agreed without hesitation.
Today, I am an educator who develops the student government "Little Country," supports leadership initiatives, and organizes the civically active, creative, and patriotic life of the school. In addition, I coordinate the activities of the school's "Haidamaky-6" group, which actively participates in competitions, flash mobs, and contests within the All-Ukrainian military-patriotic game "Sokil" ("Dzhura"), which instills in students a sense of dignity, national identity, and responsibility for the future of Ukraine.
In 2024, I had the honor of participating in the All-Ukrainian contest "Dzhura for All: Cases of Best Practices," where I presented my own experience in educational work and was awarded a certificate.
Under my leadership, students are active participants and winners of numerous competitions, patriotic flash mobs, and projects.
According to the results of the regional video-visit card (presentation) contest on national education "National Education – the Future of the State" in the 2024-2025 school year, our educational institution took third place in the nomination "Best Video of a General Educational Institution" among educational institutions in the Donetsk region. Together with the student government, we were able to show that national education is not just a slogan, but a living process that is manifested in daily actions, traditions, mutual respect, honoring heroes, language, culture, and responsibility for the future of Ukraine.
I actively participate in scientific and practical conferences, forums, and events. In particular, in 2024, I was a participant in the VII Regional Youth Forum-Tent Camp "Let's Change the Country Together. Free and Independent," which was organized by the Department of Family, Youth and Mass National-Patriotic Education of the Donetsk Regional State Administration in conjunction with the Mariupol District Military Administration.
With high school students, we constantly join online meetings of the youth of the Donetsk region with soldier-defenders, particularly within the "Hear the Hero" project—live conversations with participants of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which help children to more deeply understand the true price of freedom and peace.
Personally, every year I participate in the All-Ukrainian race "Honoring the Warriors, I Run for the Heroes of Ukraine!" in honor of the fallen heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and also help the Armed Forces of Ukraine—through volunteer initiatives, fundraising, participation in charity events, and supporting the military who defend our country.
Together with the leaders of the student government, we actively participate in online meetings, conferences, and round tables aimed at supporting the active participation of youth in public life, forming leadership qualities, and developing civic consciousness. A special sensation for me was the "Virtual Memorial of Memory" project, which we started together with the leaders of the student government. It is dedicated to the school's graduates—soldiers, volunteers, and law enforcement officers who died due to Russian aggression. The goal of the project is to preserve and pass on the memory of the heroes, to introduce students to their life stories, and to involve them in search and volunteer work. After all, memory is our moral duty and an important part of the educational process.
In 2025, I was awarded a letter of thanks from the Donetsk Youth Palace "Yunost" for professionalism, diligent work, initiative, and active participation in the implementation of national-patriotic education, as well as for fruitful cooperation in forming civic consciousness, respect for the history, culture, and traditions of the Ukrainian people among students.
I dream that the Ukrainian school will be a place of strength, faith, freedom, and endless opportunities for every student.