„I got a telescope at the School of Education (SE) which allows me to notice and appreciate all stars, even those most distanced or shining with dim light. Now I see each student,” said math teacher Maria Yakoreva and her words will stay in the memory of the PAFF and UW School of Education community for a long time.
Another group of students have graduated from postgraduate teacher courses run at the PAFF and UW School of Education. As always, the atmosphere at the diploma presentation ceremony was unique. All graduates presented their most precious results and key moments of studying at the School of Education.
For biology teacher Anna Wichowska-Przybyłek it was the ability to form relationships. “I remember my school as a stressful environment, full of fear of teachers and other students. Therefore, building relationships in a class is the most important for me”, she said.
Math teacher Krzysztof Stańczak described his development as follows: “I was working at a corporation for years, but I don’t miss it at all. I want to teach! Thanks to my studies at the School of Education I know that a teacher needs to be ready for any situation and know various techniques and methods of dealing with it, in the same way as a tourist must be equipped in suitable clothes, comfortable shoes, water, and sometimes even a pickax.”
In turn history teacher Rafał Rachowka wondered if a good teacher is an artist or rather a craftsman. He opted for a reconstructive craftsman. However he pointed to the fact that he believes reconstruction to be a positive phenomenon, based on a studied structure, reflection, proven solutions, and effective methods. “A teacher shall be creative but moderately,” he said.
Polish teacher Weronika Kamińska made a funny reference to a well-known cartoon film: “The recipe for good feedback, contrary to the recipe for Gummiberry Juice, is not a secret. Two good things and one development wish. Let’s catch ourselves and our students doing good things. That is the most important what I have learned at the School of Education,” she explained.
Especially touching were presentations given by alumni coming from Ukraine and Belarus. They emphasized that the confrontation with Polish education system was difficult for them because the rules and relations between teachers and students are different in their countries. “Becoming a teacher in Poland is a mission impossible for a foreigner. But thanks to the School of Education I teach math at a senior high school. I have learned to analyze thoroughly the students’ work and to help them overcome their fear of making a mistake,” math teacher Iryna Yafimtsav said. And biology teacher Irina Kavtsevich from Belarus said that her attitude to teaching has totally changed – she gave the responsibility to students.
At the end of the ceremony PAFF and UW School of Education Director Prof. Jolanta Sujecka-Zając and PAFF Program Director Marianna Hajdukiewicz congratulated the graduates. “Although the School of Education program is the same each year, our students are unique each year. Thank you for meetings, presentations, experiences which you enriched us with,” Marianna Hajdukiewicz noted. Then they both, together with Chief Operating Officer and Head of the Representative Office in Poland Grzegorz Jędrys, presented the graduates with their diplomas.
