EdTech: Volha Hurskaya Of TechSmartEnglish On How Their Technology Will Make An Important Positive Impact On Education

Solve a Real Problem. At the public gymnasium, I saw teachers struggle with outdated resources. They wanted to innovate but lacked access to modern teaching methods. With TechSmartEnglish, I provide up-to-date materials that help them stay ahead. If your tech doesn’t address a real problem, it won’t make a real impact.

In recent years, Big Tech has gotten a bad rep. But of course, many tech companies are doing important work, making monumental positive changes to society, health, and the environment. To highlight these, we started a new interview series about “Technology Making An Important Positive Social Impact”. We are interviewing leaders of tech companies who are creating or have created a tech product that is helping to make a positive change in people’s lives or the environment. In this particular installment, we are talking to leaders of Education Technology companies, who share how their tech is helping to improve our educational system. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Volha Hurskaya.

Volha Hurskaya is an accomplished ESL instructor, educational researcher, and EdTech innovator who has developed modern teaching methodologies and published research on language learning and instructional technology. She is the author of “A” is an Article, a practical guide to mastering English articles, and the founder of TechSmartEnglish, a platform that provides free training and resources for educators worldwide. With a mission to make high-quality English education accessible to all, she continues to shape the future of language learning and teacher training.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory and how you grew up?

I was born and raised in the capital of Belarus, the city of Minsk, in a family where my mom was an economist and my dad was a car mechanic. I was passionate about singing from an early age and completed music school. English was never my native language, but thanks to my mother, who found an exceptional teacher, learning it became more than just a hobby — a lifelong passion and a calling. This love for language naturally led me to pursue my education at the country’s top linguistic university, marking both the continuation and the true beginning of my journey.

Shortly after graduating from university and starting my teaching career at a gymnasium, I realized that traditional methods didn’t always work and that a new approach was needed to teach English effectively. This realization led me to research and develop my teaching methodology, which I continue to refine and improve.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

One of the most memorable moments in my career happened when I was teaching English to a group of students who had never spoken a word of the language before. Among them was a young boy with a learning disability whose previous teachers had told him that he would never master a second language. Determined to prove them wrong, I tailored my methodology to make lessons more interactive, incorporating technology, games, and real-life simulations.

One day, during a role-playing exercise, he suddenly spoke a complete sentence in English without hesitation. The entire class fell silent and then erupted in applause. It was a breakthrough moment for him and me, reaffirming my belief that the right approach can unlock anyone’s potential. Seeing the pride in his eyes and knowing I had helped change his perception of his abilities was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Absolutely. If there’s one person I am deeply grateful for is a professor I met during my university years. Unlike many others, he challenged me to think beyond textbooks and traditional teaching methods, constantly pushing me to question and innovate.

I remember one particular moment when I proposed an unconventional idea for teaching English through gamification and technology. Many dismissed it as unrealistic, but he encouraged me to test it, refine it, and prove it could work. That push gave me the confidence to step outside the standard. His belief in my ideas — and me — set the foundation for everything I’ve built in my career.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my favorite life lesson quotes is, “The one who walks will go through.” This saying has been a guiding principle throughout my journey, reminding me that progress comes from persistence, not perfection.

When I started teaching, I had countless doubts — about whether my methods would work, whether I was good enough, and whether I could genuinely make an impact. But every step forward, every challenge overcome, proved that growth happens in motion. It’s a constant reminder that the path will continue to unfold as long as I keep moving forward.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

The three traits that have shaped my success are adaptability, determination, and leadership.

Working at a public gymnasium, I had to teach students with vastly different skill levels. Finding a balance between meeting academic standards and keeping students engaged pushed me to develop flexible, student-centered teaching strategies.

At a private gymnasium, expectations were high, and challenges were constant. Whether refining my methodology or handling demanding academic goals, I never let obstacles slow me down, always striving for better results.

Founding TechSmartEnglish was a turning point in my career. It was about building a community of educators eager to integrate technology into language learning. Leading this initiative demanded vision, collaboration, and the ability to inspire others. Today, TechSmartEnglish is a thriving hub for educators worldwide, proving that strong leadership can turn an idea into a movement.

Ok super. Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion about the tech tools that you are helping to create that can make a positive social impact on our educational systems. To begin, what problems are you aiming to solve?

One of the biggest challenges in global education is the lack of access to professional development for teachers, particularly in regions affected by war, poverty, and natural disasters. Many educators struggle to keep up with modern teaching techniques, as they often have no access to training, workshops, or updated resources. Without proper support, they are left using outdated methods, making it harder for students to engage and succeed.

Another issue that deeply concerns me is that access to modern educational resources often comes at a cost. Whether watching an online lecture, accessing high-quality materials, or enrolling in professional courses, so much of today’s education is behind a paywall. This means that only those who can afford it get access to quality learning, while others are left behind. This inequality in education is unacceptable to me.

How do you think your technology can address this?

My platform provides free training, resources, and innovative teaching strategies to help educators worldwide stay on top of modern English language instruction. By leveraging EdTech and research-backed methods, I ensure that teachers can deliver engaging and effective lessons to their students, no matter their circumstances. My research in this field helps continuously improve these methods, giving both educators and learners the tools they need to build a brighter future — regardless of their location or situation.

Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about education?

My desire to become a teacher started long before university — it was born in the classroom while I was still a student. Sitting at my desk during Russian language and literature lessons, I was captivated by the stories we read and the discussions we had. I loved reading, and those classes sparked a deep appreciation for learning.

Even then, I dreamed of one day standing in the teacher’s place, inspiring future generations just as my teachers inspired me. I wanted to ignite curiosity, encourage discovery, and make learning an exciting journey. That passion never faded, and as I later discovered the power of language, it naturally led me to a career in education and language teaching, where I could help students unlock new opportunities through learning.

How do you think your technology might change the world?

Education has the power to transform lives, and TechSmartEnglish is designed to make that transformation accessible to everyone. By combining EdTech, innovative teaching approaches, and ongoing research, TechSmartEnglish is not just improving classrooms — it’s creating long-term social impact. It is helping to build a world where borders, conflict, or financial means no longer dictate access to high-quality education. Education empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and ultimately shapes a more equitable world.

Keeping the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?

One potential drawback is the digital divide — not all educators and students have reliable internet access or digital devices, especially in the very regions this platform aims to support. While providing free educational content is essential, we must also ensure that those who lack technology are not left further behind.

Another challenge is the over-reliance on EdTech. While digital tools can enhance learning, they should never replace the role of a teacher or the importance of human interaction in education. There is a risk that some institutions may see technology as a substitute for real classroom engagement, which could negatively impact students’ critical thinking, social skills, and motivation.

How do you envision the landscape of education evolving over the next decade, and how does your technology fit into that future?

Over the next decade, education will become more digital, flexible, and accessible worldwide. Traditional classrooms will continue to evolve into hybrid and online learning spaces, giving students and teachers more ways to connect beyond physical schools. EdTech will drive this shift, making learning more personalized, interactive, and inclusive so that education adapts to students — not the other way around.

With English skills becoming more essential in the job market, TechSmartEnglish will keep growing, offering research-based strategies, interactive tools, and adaptable learning materials. In a world where education is moving forward but not always equally, my goal is to ensure that access to knowledge isn’t just a privilege — it’s a right for everyone.

Based on your experience and success, can you please share “Five things you need to know to successfully create technology that can make a positive social impact”?

1. Solve a Real Problem. At the public gymnasium, I saw teachers struggle with outdated resources. They wanted to innovate but lacked access to modern teaching methods. With TechSmartEnglish, I provide up-to-date materials that help them stay ahead. If your tech doesn’t address a real problem, it won’t make a real impact.

2. Accessibility Is Key. Students at the private gymnasium had access to the best resources, while in the public gymnasium, many couldn’t afford extra learning tools. This inequality frustrated me, so I made TechSmartEnglish free for all. If tech isn’t accessible, it only widens the gap instead of closing it.

3. Keep It Simple. Some teachers at public and private gymnasiums hesitated to use digital tools because they seemed too complicated. I designed TechSmartEnglish with a simple, intuitive interface so that even educators with limited tech experience could use it. Impactful tech should make life easier, not harder.

4. Community Matters. At work, I noticed that teachers who shared ideas created stronger learning experiences. That’s why TechSmartEnglish is a community where educators support and learn from each other. The social impact grows when people feel connected.

5. Keep Evolving. When I started working after graduation, I used traditional methods. Soon after that, I tested more interactive, research-driven approaches. Education changes, so I have to adapt my methods — just like TechSmartEnglish continues to evolve. If you don’t innovate, you’ll fall behind.

In the realm of EdTech, there’s often data collection involved. How do you ensure the ethical handling of user data, especially when it concerns students?

As education becomes more digital, protecting user privacy is more important than ever. To ensure ethical data practices, TechSmartEnglish follows five key principles. First, we collect only the essential, non-sensitive data, avoiding unnecessary student activity tracking. Second, we never sell or share user information with third parties, keeping the platform free from commercial exploitation. Third, strong security measures are in place, including encryption and restricted access, ensuring that data remains protected. Fourth, we maintain complete transparency, allowing users to view, manage, or delete their data anytime. Finally, we comply with global privacy standards such as GDPR and COPPA, ensuring that our policies align with the highest ethical standards. By keeping data collection minimal, security tight, and transparency high, we ensure that teachers and students can focus on learning — without worrying about their privacy.

If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?

If I could tell young people one thing, it would be this: the world doesn’t change independently — people change it. Every breakthrough, every shift toward a better future, started with someone who saw a problem and decided to do something about it. You don’t need all the answers immediately; you need the courage to start.

Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

If I could have a private breakfast or lunch with anyone, it would be Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy. His work making education accessible to everyone, regardless of background or financial status, deeply resonates with my mission at TechSmartEnglish.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I’d love for you to stay connected and follow my journey in education, EdTech, and teacher empowerment! You can find my work and updates on my website and LinkedIn.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.

Thank you for having me!