Within the Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme, the professional community of educators continues to explore new formats for exchanging ideas and practices. On 29–30 October, pedagogical coworkings were held in Obukhiv and Lubny – events that combined creativity, meaningful dialogue, and practical focus. Unlike traditional conferences, pedagogical coworking creates an environment for open communication, teamwork, peer support, and inspiration.
For the educational communities of both hromadas, the pedagogical coworking became a space for professional development aimed at improving the quality of educational services, engaging trainers from three levels of governance: local (hromada educators), regional (higher and postgraduate education institutions), and national (Directorate of School Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the New Ukrainian School Implementation Office). These events brought together about 230 educational trainers, managers, school heads, teachers, and psychologists united by the idea of shared learning, co-creation, and reflection on the role of education in community development.
“Coworking is not just a training or seminar. It is a shared creative space where every educator can be a participant, a moderator, and an inspirer of change,” said Artem Horobets, Education Expert of the Polaris Programme and moderator of both events.
Obukhiv: A Space for Innovation and Psychological Support
The first coworking event, held on 29 October at the Volodymyr Melnyk Academic Lyceum in Obukhiv (Kyiv oblast), gathered around 120 educators in partnership with the New Ukrainian School Implementation Office under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MoES) and the Kyiv Regional In-Service Teacher Training Institute (KRISTTI).
Welcoming speeches were delivered by Olena Paienko, Deputy Mayor of Obukhiv; Antonina Makarevych, Deputy Head of the New Ukrainian School Implementation Office; and Artem Horobets, Education expert of the Polaris Programme.
Olena Paienko emphasised the value of such initiatives: “We aimed to create an environment where teachers feel like co-authors of educational solutions, not just listeners. It is in the coworking format that horizontal cooperation between schools emerges, and ideas move from theory to practice.”
Throughout the day, educators participated in thematic sessions focusing on the role of gymnasiums in the New Ukrainian School reform, creating a safe learning environment, the practical aspects of the All-Ukrainian Online School, and maintaining teachers’ psychological resilience.
During the session “The Role of Gymnasiums in Advancing the New Ukrainian School Reform”, moderated by Antonina Makarevych and Artem Horobets, participants discussed how gymnasiums can contribute to the continuity of upper secondary education reform. School heads and deputy principals explored ways to support teachers and students in career orientation and how to foster productive collaboration with parents. They also reviewed proposed curricula for Grades 10–12 and discussed their practical application for gymnasiums.
“It was inspiring to hear words like collaboration, teamwork, experience sharing, and mutual support during reflection. These are the core principles on which a strong educational ecosystem is built,” noted Antonina Makarevych.
The second session focused on creating a safe educational environment based on Israeli experience. Under the guidance of Yuliia Hrebenichenko, Senior Lecturer at KRISTTI, participants practised crisis communication, emotional support for students, and digital risk prevention.
In the session “All-Ukrainian Online School: Implementation 2025”, teachers of biology and chemistry discussed integrating digital tools into curricula, developing blended learning models, and fostering students’ digital skills.
The training “Teacher’s Psychological Resource”, led by psychologists Olha Hluzd and Alina Koval, provided techniques for self-regulation, work–life balance, and emotional recovery. Participants noted that the coworking format not only encouraged knowledge exchange but also offered essential psychological support – something educators particularly need in times of prolonged tension and adaptation to new realities.
Lubny: A Holiday for Ideas and a Space for Collaboration
The following day, 30 October, the event “Holiday for Ideas: Coworking for Managers and Educators” took place at the Vasyl Barka Gymnasium in Lubny, Poltava oblast. It gathered over 110 participants from the Lubny and Novooryzhytska hromadas, representatives of the Taras Shevchenko Luhansk National University, the Poltava Regional Academy of Continuing Education, and experts from the Polaris Programme and the Directorate of School Education of the MoES.
“Educational coworking is an opportunity to look at ourselves and our schools from a new perspective. We are used to vertical formats, but here the dialogue is horizontal – ideas emerge naturally and without pressure,” said Olena Popova, Chief Specialist of the Directorate of School Education of the MoES, in her welcoming remarks.
Throughout the day, educators and managers participated in discussions, presentations, and practical workshops.
The central part of the coworking – “Tools for Change” – united school managers, teachers, and psychologists around key topics of educational quality, professional development, and safe learning environments. Six parallel training sessions were held across the Vasyl Barka Gymnasium and the Luhansk National University (relocated to Lubny hromada).
In the session for managers “Quality of School Activities”, moderated by Olena Popova, school heads presented their approaches to building internal quality assurance systems. They discussed methods for evaluating school team strengths, improving communication within educational communities, and developing strategic visions for institutional growth.
Meanwhile, the training “Topical Issues in Teacher Certification” guided by methodologists of the Poltava Academy of Continuing Education helped teachers and deputy heads understand modern evaluation criteria, balance formal procedures with real teaching outcomes, and design personal professional development trajectories.
The section “Healthy Students – Healthy Future”, led by Zoia Bechkalo, Methodologist of the Department for the Development of Natural and Mathematical Disciplines, focused on mental health, stress prevention, and emotional well-being. Social pedagogues and psychologists shared methods for fostering resilience and healthy student behaviour.
The session “Education for a Sustainable Future: Integrating Global Challenges into the Learning Process”, moderated by Tetiana Lanevska, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy and Education Economics, explored ways to embed sustainability, environmental responsibility, and climate awareness into the curriculum.
At the same time, the workshop “Gender-Based Violence: Recognition, Prevention, Support”, conducted by Iryna Lysnychka, Associate Professor of Psychology at Luhansk National University, trained participants on identifying and responding to cases of violence in schools.
The coworking concluded with the emotional training “Point of Support: How to Stay Stable in an Unstable World”, led by Iryna Yakovenko, teacher of the Brothers Shemetiv Academic Lyceum, and Oksana Lysenko, teacher of the Hero of Ukraine Vira Roik Gymnasium. Participants practised emotional self-regulation, personal resource awareness, and techniques for restoring professional balance.
Pedagogical Coworking as a New Educational Culture
Obukhiv and Lubny became the first hromadas where Polaris introduced the pedagogical coworking format as a tool for professional growth and strengthening educational communities. This approach combined practical training, open communication, and trust networks between educators, managers, and local authorities.
“Polaris supports formats that do not simply teach but nurture a culture of interaction. Pedagogical coworking is a living laboratory that helps communities build their own educational architecture – flexible, creative, and human-centred. I am confident that the enhanced professional competencies of teachers will strengthen the quality of educational services and contribute to building resilient educational architecture in communities. Together – towards new educational horizons!”
— Artem Horobets, Education Expert, Polaris Programme
Photos: Polaris Programme and Lubnyshchyna Newspaper
