«Education has always been at the center of my life. Since early childhood, I dreamed of becoming a teacher,» says Nataliia Filonova.
Nataliia is a Teach For Ukraine alumna. She joined the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship in 2021 and has stayed ever since — though no longer as a fellow, but now as part of the team.
«One day, I accidentally came across the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship by the NGO Teach For Ukraine. I read about the mission — and that was it. I didn’t even consider other options. I just knew: I want to be here»
But before that, there were many moments that could have stopped Nataliia from pursuing her path in teaching, moments that could have made her believe it wouldn’t work out. Becoming a teacher turned out to be not so simple. She was not admitted to her desired faculty on the first attempt due to external circumstances. Yet she kept moving toward her dream, knowing she was heading in the right direction.
«My teachers helped me to finally decide on my path. My first teacher was gentle, kind, and attentive. My homeroom teacher knew how to listen and see each child as an individual. These two women taught me that teaching is not just about delivering knowledge — it’s about touching a child’s heart»
Nataliia wanted to pass on that same feeling of support — to become the adult who listens, supports, and touches children’s hearts, inspiring them and filling them with belief in themselves and their dreams.
Studying pedagogy only confirmed that education was her calling. Nataliia seized every opportunity: conferences, internships, study visits, communities. It was during that time that Plast appeared in her life — and 0she felt she could not only teach, but also build community and shape worldviews.
«I became a scout group leader, and the children literally turned my world upside down»
After completing her master’s degree, Nataliia received a scholarship for a one-year academic internship at Uniwersytet Gdański.
Upon returning to Ukraine, I began working as a teacher-organizer at a school.
During that time, the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship — which develops educational leadership, engages young people in teaching, and helps children access quality education and motivated teachers — appeared in her information space.вчителів.
«I had no doubts. I immediately filled out the application, went through the selection process, and became a Ukrainian language and literature teacher at a school in the Kyiv region. Sometimes it was hard, but when I saw in a notebook, written in a child’s hand, ‘Ms. Nataliia♥️’ or ‘I love Ukrainian💙💛,’ I understood: it was all worth it. I wanted my small impact to inspire children. I wanted to be an example of what they themselves can achieve»
Nataliia began her participation in the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship in 2021, so the full-scale invasion found her in the village of Hrebinky in the Kyiv region. She not only remained in the program but extended her participation for another year.
«Those years in the program were important and happy for me. I realized that education is not only about knowledge, but also about belief in every child. I saw how children, through education, began to believe in themselves. I saw how colleagues opened up to collaboration. And that’s when I understood that Teach For Ukraine truly changes the system through people»
After graduating in 2024, she received a grant for her own project through the Alumni Grant Program of the NGO Teach For Ukraine and, together with her students, created board game for learning Ukrainian. Later, she participated in the Teach For Ukraine alumni internship program at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Amid all this, she also served as a mentor in program StudMentor — an intellectual volunteering program for youth who were trained in mentorship to provide catch-up programs for children of the frontline regions. Volunteering has been an important part of her life for many years, and this program became an opportunity to support children from frontline territories and help them with catch-up.
Today, Nataliia is part of the team of the NGO Teach For Ukraine. She helps attract new fellows to the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship, knowing how valuable the support and opportunities provided by the program and the Teach For Ukraine community truly are.
«It’s a special feeling. Just yesterday, I was waiting for my selection letter — and today, I support those who are just beginning. It’s not just a job — it’s gratitude. At one time, the Teach For Ukraine Fellowship radically changed my life, opening opportunities I didn’t even dare to dream of»
Now Nataliia opens this path for others and inspires through her own example.
«My work, even if point by point, helps address educational challenges. And education is a force capable of changing a country. And I want to be part of that change»
