Participant of the Regional Competition "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the Nomination "Youth Worker of the Year" Kateryna Malikova
Kateryna Malikova is the Deputy Director for Educational and Methodological Work at Shandyholove Lyceum of the Lyman City Council. She was born in 1994 in the picturesque village of Shandyholove, in the Lyman region, carrying the flame of love for her small homeland throughout her life.
After receiving her higher education at Donbas State Pedagogical University, Kateryna returned to her native Shandyholove school, this time as a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature. She did not leave her beloved place even after the start of the full-scale invasion. Her life motto is: "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
The full-scale war has only deepened the young educator's national consciousness. Through her achievements, initiative, and sincere love for Ukraine, she confidently asserts herself in society, demonstrating maturity of thought, a high level of civic identity, and an active life position. Her activities encompass areas from education and culture to volunteering and civic initiative.
For several years, Kateryna has actively involved students in various projects and initiatives, such as the All-Ukrainian patriotic race "I Honor Warriors, I Run for the Heroes of Ukraine!", International initiatives "World Cleanup Day in Ukraine" and "World Dignity Day." Together with her students, Kateryna creates social videos aimed at supporting the defenders of Ukraine. Under her leadership, schoolchildren have repeatedly become winners and laureates not only of regional but also of All-Ukrainian competitions, including "Bird of the Year," "Behind Seven Seals," "Ukraine is Alive and Will Live Forever," "I Have the Right to...", All-Ukrainian Festival of Patriotic Actions - 2023, "50 Words," "Let's Fight for a New Life."
Under Kateryna Malikova's patronage, Shandyholove Lyceum participated in setting two All-Ukrainian records: "The Largest All-Ukrainian Online Flashmob for Mental Health Day" and "National Record – Vyshyvanka Workout 'Thank You AFU'."
Kateryna is a shining example of professional development, creative energy, and civic activism. Thanks to her initiative, perseverance, and openness to innovation, she actively demonstrates her civic position, tirelessly working for the benefit of education, environmental upbringing, and sustainable community development. Kateryna shares her acquired work experience both in printed collections and during presentations at regional and All-Ukrainian events.
Kateryna constantly improves her professional skills and actively participates in community life. For her diligent work, professional mastery, and significant contribution to the development of education and environmental upbringing, she has received a number of prestigious awards. Among her awards is recognition from the National Ecological and Naturalistic Center for Student Youth of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for supporting extracurricular education and active educational activities during martial law. Kateryna was also recognized by the Donetsk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education for her significant contribution to the development of education in the region, many years of diligent work, and the popularization of innovative pedagogical methods.
Kateryna Malikova is a representative of the new generation of Ukrainians – purposeful, creative, responsible. Such young people do not just change themselves – they change the world around them.