I am deeply honored to share my experience presenting at the IV International Scientific-Practical Conference “Professional Development of Teachers in the Context of Integration into the European Educational Space: International Academic and Professional-Pedagogical Mobility” at Lviv Polytechnic National University (LPNU) on September 30, 2025.
This conference held profound personal and professional significance for me. It was at Lviv Polytechnic where I completed both my Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Education degrees before immigrating to Canada. Now, twenty years into my teaching career in Canada, having begun in 2005, I had the privilege of returning—through the bridge of international collaboration—to present research on teaching social work research methodologies in the Canadian context.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Oleksandr Ievlev for his masterful organization of this conference and for providing the platform for such meaningful scholarly exchange. His dedication to fostering international dialogue in education exemplifies the academic mobility we so urgently need in our globalized world. My sincere appreciation also extends to Dr. Tetyana Gorokhivska for her exceptional leadership and vision in advancing the department of innovation at LPNU, and it was particularly wonderful to reconnect with Dr. Roksolyana Shvay, my former MEd instructor whose pedagogical guidance continues to influence my teaching practice today.
The opportunity to share my research on teaching social work research methods in Canada—work that was build on during my MEd studies under Dr. Ievlev’s mentorship—underscores the enduring impact of quality graduate education. What makes this even more meaningful is that the research book I developed is now being utilized by my own students in Canada, creating a living cycle of knowledge transmission across borders and generations.
The conference brought together scholars, educators, graduate students, and practitioners from Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Canada, and the Czech Republic, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives on pedagogical development in contemporary contexts. The discussions encompassed critical themes including professional mobility in wartime, innovative educational formats, and the educator’s responsibility to society during periods of profound transformation.
Being in Winnipeg on September 30th while presenting at a conference in Lviv perfectly embodied the conference’s theme of international academic mobility. This experience reinforces my belief that meaningful educational collaboration transcends physical boundaries and that our collective commitment to pedagogical excellence can unite us across continents, especially during challenging times.
This conference reminded me that we are part of something larger than ourselves—an international community of educators dedicated to shaping quality education for future generations. The warmth, scholarly rigor, and shared vision I experienced reaffirm my commitment to continuing this vital work of international collaboration in social work education
More information about the conference https://lpnu.ua/news/kafedra-pio-provela-mizhnarodnu-konferentsiiu-shchodo-profesiinoho-rozvytku-pedahoha-v-1
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