The Faculty of Special Education, Psychology, and Social Work organized a professional pedagogical internship for first-cycle (bachelor’s level) higher education students of group SoO1-B22, specializing in 016 Special Education. These students are enrolled in the educational and professional program “Special Education (Oligophrenopedagogy. Speech Therapy)”. The internship took place in preschool and general secondary education institutions with inclusive education settings, where the students worked in the role of teacher assistants (internship supervisor – Associate Professor of the Department of Special and Inclusive Education, Oksana Dmitriieva).
Liza Prysiazhna, Nelia Vasylyk, Uliana Vyshnevska, and Taisa Holovriak completed their internship at the Porta Vitae Foundation, located in Piotrków Trybunalski (Republic of Poland).
The students shared their impressions of the internship, compared the organizational aspects of inclusive education for children with special educational needs, and reflected on the professional practices of specialists in both Ukraine and the Republic of Poland. They adopted best practices from both countries in organizing inclusive education and discussed the availability of conditions that support active involvement in providing remedial educational services for children with special educational needs – particularly refugee children from Ukraine.
In the presentations given by the students, one could hear sincere admiration for the professional skills of teacher assistants, a deep awareness of the importance of the correctional educator’s role, and strong confidence in the correctness of their career choice.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to our colleagues at the Porta Vitae Foundation, as well as to the administration and teaching staff of Kamianets-Podilskyi Lyceum No. 3, who warmly welcomed our students, shared their expertise and experience!
We sincerely thank the brave Armed Forces of Ukraine for making it possible for us to study and work!
Students’ testimonial:
“We are sincerely grateful to our home university — Kamianets-Podilskyi Ivan Ohiienko National University — for giving us the opportunity to complete our professional pedagogical internship in preschool and general secondary education institutions with inclusive learning environments in the Republic of Poland, serving as teacher assistants!
It was incredibly valuable to see how a team of foreign specialists functions — a team united by the shared mission of helping children with special educational needs.
During this internship, we had the opportunity to:
- get acquainted with the work of the Porta Vitae Foundation;
- observe the practical activities of special education professionals;
- gain deeper insight into modern approaches to correctional and therapeutic work with children who have intellectual disabilities;
- compare the specific features of teacher assistants’ professional duties in Ukraine and the Republic of Poland.
We thank the Department of Special and Inclusive Education and its head, Professor Svitlana Mykhalska, our internship supervisor Associate Professor Oksana Dmitriieva, and the university’s internship coordinator Liudmyla Rymar for the high level of internship organization, constant support, and guidance.
We are also grateful to the administration and educational staff of the Porta Vitae Foundation for their warm welcome, openness, and willingness to share their knowledge and experience!
This internship has become an important step in our professional growth and has inspired us to continue learning and pursue the vitally important profession of correctional educator.”
Department of Special and Inclusive Education