People of Svitlo School

MJ Krogman

American Studies, Government, Media Literacy

MJ Krogman is a retired American teacher from the New England region, living about an hour outside of Boston. After 30 years of teaching high school, he didn’t stop educating — he simply found a new purpose. Now, MJ teaches at Svitlo School as a volunteer, sharing his knowledge of American Studies, Government, and Media Literacy. Though his first career was in journalism, he found his true calling in teaching. Outside of the classroom, MJ enjoys traveling, collecting flags and souvenirs, reading historical fiction, and drinking milk tea.

3 Surprising Facts

  1. MJ discovered Svitlo through a simple Google search when he was looking for a way to support Ukrainian students.
  2. Even though he’s retired, MJ teaches nine sessions per week!
  3. He’s never had a single negative experience with a Svitlo student — only kindness, curiosity, and gratitude.

Teacher’s Svitlo Story

The Spark

After retiring, MJ was looking for a meaningful way to give back. That’s when he found Svitlo School — a project that felt purposeful and impactful.

The Flame

His journey began in May 2022, and since then he has been teaching nine classes a week. Through Svitlo, he rediscovered his love for teaching and felt truly energized.

The Shadow

While online teaching can be challenging, MJ’s biggest struggles are emotional. He deeply cares about his Ukrainian students and wants to support them in every way he can.

The Light

Svitlo brought new meaning to his life. It has made him more patient, more kind, and more grateful. As he teaches, he learns from the students — and grows as a person every day.

“Don’t hesitate. If you feel a spark — follow it. You’ll give, but you’ll also receive more than you imagine.”

Other people of Svitlo School

Svitlana Krynytska
Fundraising & Corporate Partnerships Manager
Olena
Learning support specialist and psychologist
Leslie Jane O’Connor
Head of Marketing