Other Pedagogical Staff
In general secondary education institutions in Ukraine, the category of ‘other pedagogical staff’ includes: educational psychologists, social pedagogues, teacher assistants in inclusive classrooms, educators not involved in subject teaching, activity coordinators, special education teachers (defectologists) and teachers working in speech therapy units.
Educational Psychologist
The educational psychologist provides psychological support for the educational process in accordance with the institution’s goals and expected learning outcomes. This includes creating the psychological and pedagogical conditions necessary for learners’ achievement, supporting teachers, and promoting learners’ personal development and mental well-being. The role involves work both inside and outside the school premises.
Social Pedagogue
The social pedagogue, including specialists working with children with disabilities, supports the educational, developmental and rehabilitation processes aimed at learners’ personal and social integration. Responsibilities include working with children requiring social support, developing optimal educational and rehabilitation strategies for children with disabilities, implementing new methods of social rehabilitation, and organising activities to support social adaptation and self-care. The social pedagogue may work both on the school site and beyond, and may coordinate the work of other specialists within the institution.
Teacher Assistant (Inclusive Education)
Teacher assistants working in inclusive and integrated classes provide socio-pedagogical support for learners with special educational needs. They work alongside the class teacher to deliver educational, developmental and social adaptation activities, help learners complete tasks, support their participation in learning activities and adapt learning materials to individual needs. Teacher assistants in special schools also support rehabilitation and corrective activities jointly with rehabilitation teachers.
Educators (Non-Teaching)
Educators who do not teach subjects provide supervision, educational support and pastoral care in school boarding units, dormitories, extended day groups and other settings. They contribute to learners’ moral and personal development, support social interaction and help resolve interpersonal difficulties.
Activity Coordinator
The activity coordinator organises and manages groups of learners, plans and delivers educational and extracurricular activities, and strengthens links between the educational process and learners’ social environment. The role also involves fostering the development of well-rounded individuals with strong moral and cultural values, in cooperation with families and the wider school community.
Special Education Teacher (Defectologist)
The special education teacher plans and delivers educational, corrective, compensatory and rehabilitation activities for children with physical or intellectual disabilities. They ensure that learners can access appropriate learning programmes, support social adaptation and rehabilitation, and provide guidance to parents on children’s educational and developmental needs.
Sign Language Interpreter (Dactylologist)
The sign language interpreter provides interpretation services for learners and staff with hearing impairments, facilitating communication between deaf and hearing individuals. This includes interpreting spoken language into sign language and vice versa, supporting socialisation, and contributing to the development of learners’ cultural and communicative skills.
Auxiliary Staff
Auxiliary staff in general secondary education institutions include vocational training instructors, club and activity leaders, accountants, secretaries, librarians, laboratory assistants, electronic engineers, occupational safety specialists, cloakroom attendants, building maintenance workers, electrical technicians, boiler and heating system operators, bus drivers, paediatricians, nurses, head cooks, support staff, storekeepers, groundskeepers, security guards and cleaning staff, among others.
Key auxiliary positions include the librarian and the medical worker:
- the librarian manages library collections, catalogues, reference systems and automated databases; organises and maintains library resources; and provides library services to users. The workplace is typically located in a dedicated room equipped for library operations;
- the medical worker provides healthcare services to learners and is usually part of the school’s staff. If an institution does not employ a medical worker as part of its staffing structure, it must conclude an agreement for medical services with a licensed healthcare provider (nursing, paediatrics or family medicine), a primary healthcare centre, or a licensed private practitioner.