Mrs. Olga Adzhigirey

Fourth Grade

Professional Biography
I attended SUNY Brockport University in Upstate New York for both my bachelor’s and my master’s degrees. I received my bachelor's degree in elementary and special education and my master’s in literacy education. For my bachelor’s, I completed my student teaching in a public school in Upper Westside Manhattan in New York City. I also substitute taught in multiple school districts and a Christian private school in the Rochester area while working on my graduate degree. After completing my degrees, I worked in charter and public schools in Massachusetts for five years. I mostly worked in the fourth and fifth grades, but I have also worked with kindergarten and first grade students as a special education teacher. All my experiences have helped shape me into the educator I am now and have ultimately led me to CCS.

Personal Biography
Born in Ukraine, I immigrated here with my family when I was not yet two years old. I grew up in Upstate New York, and I am so thankful to have grown up in a Godly household where both my parents instilled a love for God and His church in me and my six siblings from an early age. I got involved in kid’s ministries from the age of fourteen as a Sunday and Vacation Bible School (VBS) assistant. As I grew, so did my involvement in various children’s ministries and missions. In 2015, I married my husband, Mikhail, and moved to Massachusetts. Since then, we have had three beautiful and very active children who keep our hands busy and our hearts full! I am currently a member of Bethany Assembly of God, where I am the nursery coordinator and a part of the VBS planning committee. I have loved working with children and teaching since I was a teenager. I now see that this is a gift from God. Being able to work with the children and families at CCS is not only a job, but a way I can serve the body of Christ.

Educational Philosophy
A famous quote that summarizes my education philosophy is: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” It is my role as an educator to facilitate and encourage learning and growth. The classroom needs to be a safe place where children can learn that it is okay to make mistakes and it is from our mistakes that we learn the most. It is also okay to ask questions and share your thoughts even if they are different from others in the room. In other words, we learn from each other, and it’s good to take risks and try new things! All of this can happen in an environment that is caring. A caring environment is created by teaching and practicing the fruits of the Spirit, namely love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Children thrive on knowing what to expect, so having a daily routine and classroom expectations that are explicitly taught and practiced sets students up for success! Lastly, learning happens best when there is a strong partnership between the family and the educators. By working together and having clear communication, students will thrive knowing they are supported both at school and at home. It is an honor to be a part of CCS where parents are just as invested and involved in their child’s education as are the educators.

Favorite Verse
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.