'Cherish every moment:' after escaping war, Ukrainian teaches languages at Howard Gardner school
Feb. 3—SCRANTON — Zlata Korniichuk checks the news each morning. She needs to know if her friends and family in Ukraine's capital city made it through the night, so she can make it through her day.
Just a year ago, Korniichuk worked as a translator in Kyiv. Today, the 25-year-old works as the new world languages instructor at the Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School in Scranton, as she continues a journey filled with fear, tragedy, strength and even hope.
Fluent in multiple languages, Korniichuk teaches students Spanish and Ukrainian. Her lessons also include discussions about the vibrant country that still exists, despite Russia's invasion.
"I want them to see the beauty of Ukraine," she said. "It has incredible culture and people."
In the early morning of Feb. 24, 2022, Korniichuk woke up to the explosions. Missiles left trails in the sky, and she knew her life had changed forever. Death tolls grew daily. She lived with the constant fear of being close to the next target.
Over the summer, Korniichuk joined her boyfriend, a Ukrainian who had moved to the United States before the war began. As she settled into life in Olyphant, nearly 5,000 miles separated her from war, but also her family and friends.
At the same time, the Gardner school had tried unsuccessfully to find a language teacher; an online program for students wasn't working as hoped. The school posted the job again.
Korniichuk sent in a resume highlighting her experience with translating and creating lessons for language development. State regulations allow charter schools to hire some instructors without state certification — which Korniichuk now plans to work toward. She began teaching last month, with a small Ukrainian flag on her desk.
Seventh and eighth grade students found their seats this week, eager to learn about the Cyrillic alphabet and Ukrainian culture. Korniichuk's lesson on Wednesday focused on winter holidays — the very holidays she missed celebrating in person with her family this year. Students often ask for updates on her family and friends.
Korniichuk showed students a portion of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's New Year's Eve speech, a somber but strong and hopeful message for the year ahead. As she explained the traditions of St. Andrew's Day, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas Day and Malanka — New Year's Eve on the Julian calendar — she divided students into groups to participate in some Christmas Eve traditions. The students attempted to sing a Ukrainian song, matched photos of food with their Ukrainian names and colored a large star.
Korniichuk knows that learning Ukrainian is difficult for English speakers.
"But they're trying so hard," she said. "I can see enthusiasm in their eyes. It's the best gift for a teacher."
Students said they appreciate that the class goes beyond learning a language and promotes understanding of a different country.
"It's a good thing to learn from someone who has been there," said Maxwell Peters, 12. "We should learn more about it."
School CEO Marie George, Ph.D., smiled as she watched Korniichuk lead the lesson this week.
"It's truly a gift for the school," she said. "The whole community can open their eyes to a wider world."
One year ago, Korniichuk could never have expected to be teaching the Ukrainian language at a school in Scranton, safe from a war and singing traditional carols with giggling children. She plans to return to Ukraine one day.
"Cherish every moment you have," she said. "You never know what tomorrow brings."
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.
