Meet some “NEW” people: English Teacher Olga Khellebust

Olga Khellebust is one of the English teachers at Newcomer Women’s Services.

BY REMA AL NADER

Growing up in the Soviet Union, Olga didn’t know much about the outside world. Despite all the faults of the communist propaganda, she does take away positive lessons learned from what she calls the “Kingdom of Communism.” “There was an expectation that there should be equality for all,” she explains, adding, “Children were able to receive an excellent education without having to pay a single penny.”

However, her biggest life lessons came from her mother, who worked full time and had three children. “She taught me the importance of remaining optimistic and believing in myself,” explains Olga. “I learned that if I truly wanted something, I had to do it myself. I teach my English students at Newcomer Women’s Services to do the same.”

Olga got her teaching degree from the university inUfa, Bashkortostan, Russia. It was a comprehensive 5-year program, which included educational methodology and psychology in addition to British and American literature, linguistics and creative writing.

"We even had to take acting classes, because every great teacher is expected to put on a show for her class every day.”

Olga Khellebust

Olga was one of those lucky immigrants who came to Canada already fluent in English. “When I observe the struggles many of my students–some of whom are very young–face, I am thankful that I had an understanding of English before I arrived in Canada in 2006,” she explains. “I was able to avoid and exit difficult situations quickly.”

Having more than 25 years of teaching experience, Olga Khellebust is one of the NEW English Language Program instructors, and at the moment she is working with the CLB 3-5 class (Intermediate level).

“I am someone who always looks on the bright side,” she adds. “Every day, I teach my girls to reject prejudice and have faith in their abilities. I try to help them achieve confidence in themselves and teach them much more than just English. My students learn how to get the answers they need and stand up to discrimination, abuse and any other issue an immigrant woman may face.”

Olga had faith that she would eventually find a full-time teaching position in Canada that she loved. When she first arrived, she was a supply teacher in the GTA. In April 2010, her life changed when she was approached to teach a class for senior women (55+ and more beautiful!) at Newcomer Women’s Services. “When I received news of this job opening, I knew it was the perfect position for me. It was the first seniors’ class in Toronto, and one of the first in Canada!” This class is flourishing now!

“I am very grateful to Dhurata and Cynthia who supported me during my first months at NEW,” says Olga. “Our organization has a phenomenal team of enthusiasts who are eager to help our clients in their new beginnings in Canada. NEW is a place where one can truly make a lasting impact. We not only help newcomers improve their language skills; we help them build a strong community with their classmates, get access to meaningful work placements and become the stars of their own lives.” 

During her 10 years with NEW, Olga had the chance to teach all four classes. Which of them is her favourite? They all are, because each class lets her meet amazing women from around the world and help them succeed in Canada.

 When her students reach milestones, it’s the most rewarding part of Olga’s job.  Her students know that she hopes to see them in parliament one day. “We need more women in charge of making decisions for the betterment of our society,” she says.

"I always encourage my students to have big dreams and chase them relentlessly. When one of them achieves their goals, I feel I have achieved my goal as well."

Olga Khellebust

Despite her cheerfulness and good spirits, Olga’s attitude to discipline and punctuality is quite strict, resulting in “No-nonsense” classroom policies. “We must teach our clients how to mobilize themselves to get the knowledge they need. When they learn how to educate themselves, they are ready to face the realities of this world.” Olga’s teaching style was hardened during her 14 years of work with teenagers in Russia, whom she was teaching English and–during the summer months–canoeing. “Those were hard years, but they taught me a lot,” she says.

During COVID-19, Olga and her students all achieved a newfound ability to learn virtually. With Olga’s previous training in Language Teaching and Technology from ACE (Advanced Consulting for Education), her class made the migration to the online world seamlessly, despite the fact that her students had to juggle their online classes with the needs of their home-schooled children. “At the beginning of the lockdown, we had quite a few tear-filled Zoom sessions with students sharing their stories about the hardships they were having. Nevertheless, we are still standing strong, working hard, and having a lot of fun while learning English.”

Although online learning has been a success, Olga can’t wait to return to the in-person classroom environment. “I enjoy taking things one day at a time,” she says. “I am trying to be the best teacher and mother I can be. I want my family, my friends, my colleagues and my students to be equally proud of me. In the long run, if I can help one person or make them smile, I know I am doing something right.”

Are you new to Canada and interested in learning English in a supportive, all-women environment? Click here for more details.