Pedagogy Week at BDPU: A Space for Modern Thinking, Partnership, and Professional Growth

From October 20 to 24, the Faculty of Psychological and Pedagogical Education and Arts at Berdyansk State Pedagogical University traditionally held its annual Pedagogy Week. The event featured a series of insightful activities aimed at shaping modern pedagogical thinking, developing professional competencies of future specialists, and expanding the scientific and educational space through collaboration between the university community and partners from other higher education institutions.

The week opened with an informational and educational event “#EduAgainstBullying: Fostering a Culture of Respect and Mutual Support” (speaker – Karina Koval, Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy). The discussion focused on cultivating empathy, developing nonviolent communication skills, and creating a safe educational environment. Participants reflected on the teacher’s role as a promoter of humanistic values and the importance of systematic preventive work in educational institutions.

Subsequent events of the week took on an analytical and research-oriented character. During the guest lecture “Data-driven Management: A New Culture of Decision-making Based on Analytics and Expertise” (moderator – Olha Starokozhko, PhD in Pedagogy, Associate Professor at the Department of Pedagogy; speaker – Oksana Bodnar, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Pedagogy and Education Management of Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University), participants explored current trends in educational management and the implementation of data-driven tools for effective decision-making.

A special highlight of the week was the Interuniversity Forum and Presentation of the Monograph “Visions and Dawns of Education” (moderators – Vasyl Kryzhko, PhD in Pedagogy, Professor, and Kristina Petryk, PhD in Pedagogy, Associate Professor). This event became a landmark for both BDPU and the wider educational community, bringing together distinguished professors, lecturers, and researchers from various Ukrainian universities. The forum united experienced educators and young scholars around the topic of modern educational development, outlining common perspectives for scientific inquiry and interinstitutional partnership. It became a platform for dialogue on innovative approaches to understanding the transformation of education in the context of global and national changes.

An equally relevant event was the Interfaculty Panel Discussion “Distance Learning Through the Eyes of Pupils, Students, and Teachers” (moderator – Larysa Lisina, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Pedagogy), which gathered representatives of different educational levels. The discussion highlighted the advantages and challenges of distance learning and explored pedagogical strategies for maintaining motivation and social interaction in online education.

A significant focus was placed on the presentation of research results by the NGO “Teach for Ukraine” (moderators – Nadiia Vientseva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Pedagogy, and Mykola Overchenko, postgraduate student; speaker – Olha Kazakova, Educational Program Manager at “Teach for Ukraine,” Trainer at the International Tutoring Academy, and Certified Gestalt Psychotherapist). The presentation demonstrated the impact of tutoring on students’ academic achievements and psychological well-being during wartime. The speaker shared insights from the world’s first randomized controlled trial (RCT) in education conducted during a war, carried out in collaboration with the World Bank. The results highlight how tutoring affects Ukrainian students’ learning outcomes and mental health, offering new approaches to addressing educational losses. This event emphasized the importance of empirical research for evidence-based educational policy and practice renewal.

A creative and intergenerational bridge was built through the interactive workshop “The Theory of Generations: How to Find a Common Language” (speaker – Nadiia Dira, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Pedagogy). Future teachers examined the features of communication among representatives of different generations in today’s educational environment, developed practical tools for building trust, and collaboratively created a psycho-pedagogical portrait of the modern learner.

During the Pedagogical Studios “Modern Trends in Educational Management” (moderators – Nadiia Vientseva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, and Olha Starokozhko, PhD, Associate Professor), first- and second-year master’s students presented analytical projects dedicated to innovative models of education management.

The educational event “Unbroken Heritage: Women’s Voices That Strengthen the Nation” (moderator – Nadiia Shcherbakova, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Pedagogy) became an inspiring conclusion to Pedagogy Week. Participants reflected on how the ideas of national upbringing, moral dignity, and spiritual strength embodied by Ukrainian female educators have laid the foundation for the modern New Ukrainian School and continue to fortify the nation in times of struggle.

Thus, Pedagogy Week at BDPU became not only a series of academic and educational events but also a demonstration of the unity of the academic community – its readiness to respond to the challenges of the times, to rethink pedagogical practice, and to shape a new culture of education grounded in respect, analytical thinking, and humanistic values.

Based on materials from the Department of Pedagogy