Participant in the "Young Person of the Year – 2025" Regional Competition In the nomination "Youth Worker of the Year" Olena HRYZLOVA
Olena Hryzlova was born in 1994 in the small village of Novoukrainka, Donetsk region. Her life has been a path of continuous growth, learning, and self-improvement. The pedagogical degree she obtained in 2020 from Berdiansk State Pedagogical University marked the beginning of her journey in supporting teachers professionally. Today, she works as a consultant at the Center for Professional Development of Pedagogical Workers of the Marinka City Military-Civil Administration. Her professional calling is to support and develop educators, especially primary school teachers, who shape the future of our country.
Daily, Olena supervises the professional community of primary school teachers: she organizes online seminars, trainings, and masterclasses aimed at enhancing teachers' qualifications and professional growth. She is convinced that a modern consultant at a center for professional development of pedagogical workers must not only inspire others to grow but also continuously improve themselves. This is why she adheres to the principle of "lifelong learning." She regularly upgrades her qualifications, mastering new digital tools, educational approaches, and methodologies. Participation in trainings, webinars, and online courses is not just a part of her profession but a daily practice. Over the past two years, she participated in the "CPDPPC Consultant School," where she gained skills in strategic planning through project activities, learned effective interaction with pedagogical communities, and mastered modern tools for supporting teachers' professional growth. This allows her to better understand educators' needs, stay a step ahead, and effectively support the professional community of primary school teachers. She believes that publishing is an important component of professional development, which is why, together with teachers from the community, she worked on creating the electronic collection "STEM Education in Primary School," a collection of tasks "Learning Independent Parts of Speech in an Engaging Way" using the "Daily 5" technology, a collection of tasks "Learning Multi-Digit Numbers in an Engaging Way" using the "Daily 3" technology, and a methodical case for the professional community of primary school teachers "NUS in Primary School."
In the context of the full-scale war, national-patriotic education of the younger generation has gained particular importance. Olena organized a virtual exhibition of methodical works titled "Small Patriots of a Great Country," which united primary school teachers from general secondary education institutions in the community. Participants shared their experiences, presented their own developments, and expanded their professional portfolios, disseminating ideas of love for Ukraine, dignity, and active citizenship from an early age. Additionally, Olena coordinates the organization and conduct of the "Sokil" ("Dzhura") Game at the community level – an important patriotic education project that fosters a sense of national dignity, teamwork, and responsibility in children.
Olena had the honor of being a member of creative groups that implemented several important initiatives. In particular, she participated in the implementation of the social STEM project "Remembering the Past, Valuing the Present, Building the Future," which resulted in the creation of the film "Virtual Tour of the Towns and Villages of Marinka Community." This project combined modern technologies, patriotic education, and love for her native land.
Another significant project was the creation of the electronic version of the "Book of Memory" "Marinka Community: Heavenly Legion" – a publication dedicated to honoring the memory of fallen Heroes. Working on it became a personal duty and an experience that allowed her to once again realize that memory and gratitude are what form our strength and unity.
Olena is inspired by the strength of Ukrainian teachers, their resilience, and their desire to learn and teach despite all challenges. Being a part of this educational struggle is not just a job; it is a calling.
She believes that change begins with the individual – with their desire to do good, to develop others, and to never stop at what has been achieved. That is why every step she takes is a step toward the future of education, where one strives to be an active participant and grow.