Bright Kids Ukrainian Online School: Connecting Children to Their Heritage Through Language
Hi everyone! I'm Nadya — a Ukrainian from the beautiful city of Lviv. I moved to Austin, TX in 2017 when my husband was offered a job in the IT sector. Emigrating was never part of my plan; I always imagined my life in Ukraine. But I chose to support my husband and take a chance on a new and exciting chapter in a different country.
Like many women in our community who relocate because of their husband's career, I found myself wondering what I wanted to do next. Back in Ukraine, I was a teacher, and after we moved, I started working as a substitute teacher in Austin ISD. It gave me a sense of purpose and helped me stay connected to what I love — working with children.
In 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, as everything shifted to online learning, I saw an opportunity to connect children growing up outside Ukraine with the language and culture of their heritage. The idea was to build a place where teachers living in Ukraine could teach Ukrainian language and other subjects online to children in non-Ukrainian-speaking environments — and it all started with my own kids.
Living in the U.S., I noticed my children were becoming more fluent in English than in Ukrainian. I wanted them to know both languages equally well and to preserve their sense of identity and connection to Ukraine. That desire became the foundation for what is now a vibrant, growing school — Bright Kids Ukrainian Online School.
Today, our team includes 20 teachers, and we teach Ukrainian to children from 11 countries, as well as to adult learners from around the world. Through this work, we’re not only promoting Ukrainian language and culture globally, but also creating jobs for educators in Ukraine. I feel incredibly grateful to have found my calling in this work and to stay connected to my roots through it.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I’ve also dedicated myself to volunteering and fundraising in support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Our school leads several support projects, and together with women from our local Ukrainian community, I co-founded a baking team that sells homemade food to raise funds through the local nonprofit organization Liberty Ukraine Foundation.
Running this school and volunteering for Ukraine aren’t just things I do — they’re part of who I am. They give my life purpose and connect me to people and places I love deeply.
If you’re curious about learning Ukrainian or simply want to explore more about our beautiful culture, I’d truly love to connect with you. Whether you're just starting or already on your journey — you're welcome here.
- Website: brightkids.online
- Facebook: facebook.com/brightkids.ukrainian.online.school
- Instagram: instagram.com/bright_kids_ukrainian_school
Let’s stay in touch — I’m always happy to chat.
