People who work in the field of education know that school is not only about grades and paragraphs. It is also a story about how to help kids learn to be useful, how to make sure their opinions are heard. Unfortunately, not all children can handle this on their own, which leads to various situations. That’s why it’s so important to notice such kids in time, says Natalia Kaminskaya.

As the heroine admits, taking the first steps in a new profession is not difficult if you have people around who support and believe in you. She found such a mentor in Nina Shreiter, who at the time headed the educational institution. Nina Zakharovna remains today an example of heartfelt sensitivity and professional wisdom for our heroine.

With the status “School of Peace”

Since 2012, Natalia Kaminskaya has worked as the deputy director for educational work, coordinating the activities of class teachers and building effective interaction between the school, its students, and their parents. One of the most significant moments in her professional life was 2022, when the educational institution was granted the status of “School of Peace”.

“For the student and teacher community, this event became the launch of new initiatives,” notes Natalia Ivanovna. “We actively participate in numerous peace‑building, public, and charitable actions, take part in implementing patriotic projects, share experiences with representatives of other educational institutions, and daily bring to life ideas of peace, friendship, mutual understanding, harmony, and compassion.”

All of this allowed the kids to look at their volunteer mission from a different angle. Today it has gone far beyond simply helping those in need. In the students’ focus are also educational events, issues of preserving historical truth, and much more. The kids proudly wear the uniform of young peacekeepers and serve as an example for the younger generation of schoolchildren.

The peace‑building activities of many of them have been recognized at a high level. For example, last year’s graduate Nika Rubanova was awarded the “Young Peacemaker” medal, while students Arina Chubenko and Sofiya Fomenok received certificates from the Belarusian Peace Fund. The collective work of students and teachers at the educational institution was also noted: School No. 9 took second place in the regional competition for the best organization of activities in the 2025/2026 academic year among schools and world colleges. Our heroine’s contribution is part of this success. Last year she was awarded the “Merited Peacemaker” medal.

From Memory to Creation

Natalia Ivanovna and her colleagues pay great attention to preserving the memory of the man who founded the tradition of establishing schools of peace in the Gomel region – Timofey Glushakov. In November 2025, the educational institution solemnly opened an exhibition dedicated to Timofey Ivanovich’s life path. The tours are conducted by the students themselves. While telling about the peace‑building activities of the Goodwill Ambassador, they reinforce their words with quotations, photo documents, and historical facts.

– Continuing Timofey Ivanovich’s work, last year we launched the “Peace‑Building Relay: 65 Years of Creation!” project, dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Belarusian Peace Fund. As part of its implementation, we planned 65 good deeds. At the end of the initiative, we plan to publish a book that will find its place in the exhibition dedicated to Timofey Glushakov’s memory, – Natalia Ivanovna shares her plans.

Not Only in School

As the soul of the peace‑building movement in the school, Natalia Kaminskaya inspires her loved ones to do good deeds. Together with her, they participate in socially significant events, cheer for young peacemakers who defend the school’s honor on various platforms, and pay great attention to helping others.

– Peace begins with caring. This rule is one of the most important in my life, – Natalia Ivanovna emphasizes, – and also with love and trust for loved ones. I am glad that…