Let me introduce myself. My name is Kateryna Lobak and I'm an English teacher from Toronto, Canada.
I haven't always lived in Canada. I was born in Ukraine and moved here at the age of nine. It was not an easy change but I believe that it led me to my life's mission. I remember how challenging it was to not understand my teachers or classmates, and be unable to communicate my thoughts clearly.
I learned English by attending language classes at my school, playing online games and reading books, and forcing myself to come out of my comfort zone. I understand how nerve-wracking it can be to learn a new language. This is why I work very hard to foster a safe and welcoming environment in my lessons.
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate - Let's TEFL - 2021
• Bachelor of Education - University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada - 2015
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Childhood Studies - Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada - 2014
• Online English teacher and content creator; 2021 to present
• Early Childhood Educator and English tutor; 2015 - 2021
Here are some random bits of information about me!
• I was born in Ukraine. I speak Russian and understand some Ukrainian. I enjoy cooking Ukrainian food and learning how to make things from scratch.
I have lived in Canada for over 20 years! I have lived in different parts of Ontario and in Victoria, British Columbia. Some of my favourite memories have been experiencing the vast Canadian landscape and seeing wild animals for the first time. I will never forget the seals, whales, and otters in the Pacific waters. A beautiful bald eagle gracefully flew by, shortly after this photo was taken.
During the pandemic, my cat Marshall joined my family. He has big, beautiful green eyes. He's a sweet and friendly boy, but my friends will tell you that it takes time to gain his trust. We are inseperable.
My favourite hobbies are making art, doing yoga, and going for nature walks. I enjoy going for longer yoga retreats once a year and meeting like-minded people. Most recently, I spent a week in the forest of St. John's, Newfoundland. I enjoy reading books on self-improvement. My favourite book recently has been Essentialism by Greg McKeown.
English with Kateryna began with a dream. With my iPhone, I taught myself to film and I edited late into the night with Marshall by my side. I have always been a creative person and making arts and crafts has been a hobby since childhood. This creativity was fuelled into my YouTube channel, my Instagram, and my lessons. Just get started is my biggest piece of advice, and the next step will reveal itself to you. I can't wait to see what the future will bring.
This is my mantra for 2025. What's yours?