Young, ambitious, full of energy and aspirations. Yesterday's students, and today's specialists, have joined the workforces of Lepel District.

Young, ambitious, full of energy and aspirations. Yesterday's students, and today's specialists, have joined the workforces of Lepel District.

Young, ambitious, full of energy and aspirations. Yesterday's students, and today's specialists, have joined the workforces of Lepel District. This year, 106 young women and men received their first job assignments. The graduates have become part of workforces in a wide variety of sectors – industry and agriculture, healthcare and education, law enforcement and government agencies, trade and culture, construction and forestry.

The education sector is one of the areas where the arrival of young specialists has helped to successfully address staffing needs. This year, 14 people have come to work in educational institutions in Lepel District. These include not only teachers but also preschool educators, a laboratory assistant, an HR inspector, and vocational training instructors.

First steps are always challenging, especially at the beginning of a long journey. However, experienced colleagues are helping young specialists who have arrived in the Lepel region under the distribution system to cope. This is precisely what we discussed with Angelina Kharlenok and Victoria Noghova, educators at the state educational institution "Nursery-Garden No. 4 of Lepel", who recently began their professional careers.

To talk to the young women, we went to a kindergarten, which, as is well known, has its own special atmosphere. Children's laughter and babbling, homely comfort, that familiar smell of baked curd casserole – in a few seconds, the author of these lines was transported back to a carefree childhood. After a moment of nostalgia, I met my interviewees.

A Job to One's Liking.

I found the young educator Angelina Kharlenok at a moment when she was conducting a lesson with her young charges – the children were sculpting figures from plasticine. While waiting for the activity to finish, I discreetly observed how the little ones were attentively listening to their educator and eagerly shouting, "Look how mine turned out!" In response to their efforts, the children heard: "Well done, everyone. You all did a great job!" A few minutes later, the lively five-year-olds went outside with the assistant educator, and Angelina Dmitrievna managed to find 10 minutes for a conversation.

"I see you're finding it challenging, but you're managing, and the children listen to you?" -- I ask my interlocutor.

-- You are right. I enjoy my chosen profession, -- replies the young specialist.

Angelina Dmitrievna is a local resident. She graduated from the Educational Institution "Secondary School No. 1 of Lepel" and, after completing 9 grades, enrolled in the Polotsk College of VSU named after P.M. Masherov, specialising in "Preschool Education". From August 15th, the young educator began her work at her first place of employment. Currently, the young woman is the primary educator in the middle group. Every day, she shares her care, attention, and knowledge with 20 children aged 4-5 years.

The substitute educator in this group is an experienced professional, Maria Klunduk. She has also become a mentor to the young specialist.

-- My first working day was, of course, nerve-wracking. Although I had some prior experience working with children during my practical training, starting as an independent employee still caused feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.

However, everything turned out for the best. The head of the nursery-kindergarten, Raisa Naumenko, my mentor Maria Nikolaevna, and the entire team welcomed me very warmly, introduced me to the little charges and the working conditions. The daily routine soon established its rhythm, and after a few days, I began to feel more confident, convinced that the children and their parents had, so to speak, accepted me and entrusted me with their care, -- shared Angelina Dmitrievna.

Morning exercises, breakfast, lessons, outdoor play, lunch, nap, afternoon snack, and another outdoor play session – the day at the kindergarten is meticulously planned. Despite the tight schedule, the young specialist manages to give individual attention to each child, have a heart-to-heart talk with some, simply hug others, or work through some educational material with yet others. She speaks about the children with a smile.

-- All children are, of course, different. Some are capricious, some are calm, or conversely, overly energetic, and some need tactile contact – they always come for hugs, to sit on my lap. Gradually, I am learning the needs of each child and trying to give them what they want. I am sure they feel everything, -- noted the educator.

The young specialist has only recently left the educational institution, but she is still a student. The young woman is enrolled at Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov and is currently studying part-time in the Faculty of Social Pedagogy and Psychology. Thus, having mastered another specialty, in the future, the young woman,

perhaps she will work as a social pedagogue or psychologist. But this is not certain. There is a possibility that Angelina Dmitrievna will dedicate her life to the profession of a kindergarten teacher. Let's hope the children will encourage her to do so.

Children Energise Me

My second interviewee, Victoria Nogova, is also a native of Lepel. The young woman graduated from the Educational Institution "Secondary School No. 3 of Lepel", then enrolled, like the previous heroine of the article, in the Polotsk College of VSU named after P.M. Masherov. Currently, Victoria Olegovna works as a substitute kindergarten teacher in the senior group of the kindergarten. The head of the institution, Raisa Sergeevna, the main teacher of the group, Oksana Ivanova, and other experienced colleagues have helped the young specialist to quickly adapt to the working environment, supporting her with kind words, advice, and praise.

-- My first working week was exciting. I was worried whether the children liked me, whether I was doing everything correctly, and how the parents of my charges would evaluate me. After some time, I became convinced that everything was going well. I work with children aged 5-6, and perhaps because of this, I managed to establish contact with them quickly. We often talk and study, preparing for school, and the children rarely fuss, -- says the heroine of the article.

I found the young specialist outside during a walk in the playground. Our conversation was often interrupted, as the little ones kept running up to the teacher to share some observations, sometimes complain about something, or just come to be near and hold Victoria Olegovna's hand. It was obvious that the children sincerely loved their teacher.

-- Interacting with children really energises me. I especially enjoy preparing them for performances and conducting creative activities. Of course, various situations occur – sometimes children quarrel and cannot share something. In such cases, I do not allow them to get angry, but simply talk to them, explaining how they should behave in certain situations.

When talking about how the young teacher was received by the parents of the pupils, the interviewee does not hide that at first, they perceived her with caution. They studied her, observed her. After some time, having become convinced that the children returned home satisfied and happy, they realised that there was no need to worry about the little ones – the new teacher had become a favourite for their children.

The young woman is also continuing her studies. Victoria Olegovna has enrolled in the Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University for the specialty

"Preschool Education". The young woman is satisfied with her chosen profession and plans to continue working in this field.

Text and photos: Yana Misnik, "Lepelsky Krai" newspaper