While teaching in a small town in Western Ukraine as a Teach For Ukraine fellow, Olena Pavliuk saw that her students were eager to learn, despite the difficult circumstances many of them faced. As the co-founder of ZNOVU, an organization that helps prepare young people living in occupied territories in Ukraine for higher education, and as a principal leading a school while the country is ravaged by war, she sees that same hunger for knowledge and determination to create a brighter future in the students she supports. Their desire to learn and adaptability to the daily challenges of life during wartime is a source of inspiration not just to Olena, but to all of the teachers she oversees. “It’s like a purpose for life, actually, to meet these beautiful young children that are here,” she says, “and they’re ready and starving to have new knowledge.”

Watch the video to learn more about Olena's journey and visit our Network Changemakers page to meet more inspiring alumni. Explore how Teach For All partners and their teachers and alumni are addressing Education in Emergencies across the network on our EiE page.