Verba Magistri Summer Institute Marks Eighth Year
Summer of 2025: Uzhhorod, in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine, hosted the 8th annual Verba Magistri (“In the words of teachers”) Methodology Lab Summer Institute for Educators at the New Ukrainian School (26 July–6 August). A unique 10-day gathering of 20 educators under 40 from every region of Ukraine, the intensive professional development focused on innovative approaches to teaching the Holodomor, genocide, and human rights within the framework of the New Ukrainian School curriculum.
Verba Magistri was more than a training — it was a space for collaboration, inspiration, and the shared commitment to strengthening how Holodomor history is taught in Ukraine’s classrooms.
— 8th International Verba Magistri Methodology Lab
Summer Institute for Educators participant
All educator participants came with one purpose in mind: to learn new methodologies for teaching the Holodomor and global genocides in their classrooms and leave with a certificate and a lesson they designed for their own students.
Verba Magistri is a year-round teaching Methodology Lab on the Holodomor created in trilateral partnership with HREC in Ukraine, under the leadership of Dr. Liudmyla Hrynevych, and the Ministry of Education and Sciences of Ukraine, and supported by HREC Education. The program also features year-round lectures, workshops, master classes, discussions, film screenings, and collaborative learning opportunities led by Ukrainian and international historians, methodologists, psychologists, and subject specialists.
Entitled, Innovative Methods of Teaching the History of the Holodomor and Other Genocides, it was led by a dynamic team of historians, methodologists, and subject experts, the program focused on teaching the complex history of the Holodomor and other global famines with depth and sensitivity.
Despite the challenges of war and daily air raid alarms, learning never stopped. The program combined exceptional instruction, innovative activities, and a community of dedicated educators from across Ukraine. In these difficult times, this work is invaluable to education in Ukraine.
— M.Z., 8th International Verba Magistri Methodology Lab
Summer Institute for Educators participant
After icebreakers and team-building workshops it was time to dive into the learning
Why do famines happen? A global perspective delivered by historian Dr. Liudmyla Hrynevych. Demography 101 was presented by expert Dr. Oleksandr Hladun. Creative ways to teach the Holodomor in today’s classroom, included, amongst other lectures and workshops, the Majsternia Istoryka/Historian’s Craft Workshop led by HREC’s Valentyna Kuryliw (Canada) and Valerii Ostrovskyi (Ivano-Frankivsk). Participants explored the Holodomor through the lens of the U.N. Genocide Convention, analyzed contemporary connections to Russia’s war against Ukraine, and assessed strategies for developing students’ historical thinking, critical inquiry, and civic competencies.
Valentina Kuryliw on screen in workshop with Ukrainian teachers who all received a copy of her book.
To earn Ministry certification, participants designed and presented their own Holodomor lessons for peer review and committed to sharing their learning with educators in their schools and regions. Since its inception in 2016, Verba Magistri has become one of Ukraine’s most sought-after professional development programs, equipping educators with current scholarship, innovative methodologies, and practical classroom resources. In its eighth year, the Summer Institute continues to play a significant role in advancing high-quality Holodomor, genocide, and human rights education throughout Ukraine.
I envy future participants of the Summer School because they still have this experience ahead of them. I only wish Verba Magistri graduates could return for a second year.
— O.M., 8th International Verba Magistri Methodology Lab
Summer Institute for Educators participant
As always, Verba Magistri is more than a training — it is a space for connection, inspiration, and the shared mission of shaping how Holodomor history is taught in Ukraine’s classrooms.
