![ekaterina]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1756197724/uwcdilijanorg/atxhg8igwbyd5n1tnrui/katyabiophoto2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1756197724/uwcdilijanorg/atxhg8igwbyd5n1tnrui/katyabiophoto2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1756197724/uwcdilijanorg/atxhg8igwbyd5n1tnrui/katyabiophoto2.jpg","width":768}])
Teacher of Economics, Global Perspectives, and Admissions Manager
United States and Russia
Education
- BA/MA in Political Economy, Moscow State University, Russia
- MA in Public Administration and Urban and Regional Planning, Princeton University, USA
- Non-degree PhD level studies in Economics and Philosophy, University of Chicago, USA
Bio
I am Ekaterina (I prefer to be called Katya by everybody), an Economics teacher. I grew up in the Soviet Union, graduated from the Economics Department of Moscow State University in 1991, the year the Soviet Union stopped its existence. That same year I went to study Economics at the University of Chicago, the first and the only female student from Russia at the time. Since then I have lived and worked in USA, Russia, France and the Middle East and North Africa. I understand the challenges young people and their families face when they embark on demanding study paths far away from home. I am a life-long learner, especially in the social sciences and the humanities, and a practitioner in the field of development economics, municipal development policies, community development, and sustainability.
During my career with the World Bank in Washington DC, and with other international organizations worldwide I developed love for travel and intercultural cooperation and dialogue, at work and in life. I have produced research and evaluation papers, worked on designing training programs for professionals, supported expatriate teachers and parents, worked as a substitute teacher at US and French primary, middle and high schools, provided tutoring support and advised high schoolers in college application process and career choices. I recently moved to Dilijan from Chicago where I lived for 11 years and was associated with the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. The latter K-12 school is a famous institution in the field of progressive education, founded by the American pragmatist philosopher and education practitioner John Dewey.
What is your favourite part of the teaching process?
My favorite thing about Economics at IB level is that it is a subject that can appeal to students developing various interests and talents in parallel: those who love math would enjoy using the language of math to think about social choices for the benefit of humanity; those who love humanities would gain a different angle to appreciate human behavior, culture and narrative; those who are passionate about philosophy, especially ethics, would discover the policy applications of social theories, in law or politics.
Which teaching method do you prefer and why?
I believe in the combination of traditional (lecture) and progressive ( assisted self-learning) methods. I would like the students to develop and preserve the sense of wonder, discovery, discipline, effort, and grit. Therefore, I like to push and challenge, but help and correct.
Who is your role model or mentor or who inspires you?
I have had a long personal and professional life, there have been many inspiring people on this life path. I have been much loved and I think those who love and respect us are our best mentors. From my late parents that showed me what family love is, to my long-term college friend and the co-founder of UWC Dilijan Ruben Vardanyan, to a professor at Princeton who saw my interest in cities and gave me the right book to read thus encouraging a totally new direction in my studies and a career path, to my Lebanese colleague whom I met on a project in Morocco, who noticed my passion for the French language and culture and shared with me his love of French philosophy, to Jean-Luc Marion, a prolific and very creative living French philosopher, who was a visiting professor at the University of Chicago and welcomed me as an auditor to his very advanced classes and taught me how empowering is respect for any student who is new to the field but shows genuine interest, dedication and willingness to work hard.
What is your life motto?
I believe that life is an adventure that is offered by a loving and passionate guide. The key is to stay in close relationship with this guide and follow the lead, be attentive and kind, and never give up.
What are the three things you can't imagine your life without?
I can can not imagine my life without mothering my two ( now grown) children, without making an effort to always love, and without thinking with gratitude about the meaning of life events - the way my life is given to me everyday.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to observe and deepen the understanding of my surroundings, interact with people, read books that are on my long and evergrowng priority list, do photography, and travel in both nature and cities.