Meet the Team: Anna Diachenko, Teacher Support Lead

In this article, Anna Diachenko , Teacher Support Lead at Novakid Inc , talks about what motivates her to grow, how the company supports her career development, and having a great team around her.

Tell us about your Novakid journey so far.

I joined Novakid right at the peak of the pandemic, in April 2020. My interview was in person, but by the time it came to training, everything was locked down. So, I quickly became familiar with the fully-remote set-up here!

At first, I came in as a Support Manager. But at the time, we were getting a lot of customer support messages and struggling to process teacher inquiries quickly. A new role became available for a manager specifically assigned to supporting teachers — and since then, I’ve grown into a first-line teacher support team lead.

What motivated you to grow here? How has Novakid supported you??

I’m motivated by the opportunity to help others. Might sound a little obvious (or cheesy!) but I think everyone who has worked in a support role understands what I mean — it’s just so rewarding to make a difference.

I also love finding ways to make my colleagues’ lives easier. Trying alternative approaches, simplifying processes and automating systems can all make work more efficient and enjoyable.

The amazing culture of learning and development at Novakid has supported my growth. The company has paid for me to do an online course and my colleagues always support my ideas. It’s a valuable support system that motivates me to keep moving forward.?

Have you faced any tough moments? How did you handle them?

Of course! Sometimes the routine or the to-do list can become overwhelming, and it’s difficult to manage and prioritise tasks. When that happens, I know I’ve lost focus and mindfulness.

I take a big step back, review all of my goals and ask — is what I’m doing really necessary to get closer to them? This really helps me get back on track and heading in the right direction.

(Plus of course, a good night’s sleep always helps!)

Can you share some memorable experiences?

One incident really stands out and it speaks to the company's values too. A severe typhoon hit the Philippines, but that didn’t stop our local team members from connecting online with us, even though they were supposed to be off-duty. Seeing the team band together in tough times was inspiring and reassuring to know that you can rely on your colleagues in these circumstances.

What advice would you give to colleagues looking to advance their careers here??

Be yourself! The company and your colleagues will always support you, so don’t be afraid to express yourself, voice your opinion (constructively!) and suggest ideas.

Also, find something you’re genuinely interested in and take advantage of the chance to improve your skills. Novakid provides many learning and development opportunities, and if your interests align with the company’s — anything is possible.

What does it mean to you to have achieved so much within our company?

I’m incredibly grateful to my colleagues; I’ve learned so much from them, and it’s a pleasure working with them. Personally, I know I have more room to grow. I want to set ambitious goals for myself and use this platform to really push my potential.