By Mykhailo Gryshchenko | Business Development
Our flagship program, Better at Math with Khan Academy, is accelerating across Bulgaria! Ahead of the 2025/26 school year, we signed partnerships with 15 new schools from Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, and beyond. This brings our network to 27 schools where students can access high-quality, free math mastery learning on Khan Academy, combined with new teaching approaches by their teachers. Initial teacher training was held September 2–4, introducing more than 100 math teachers and representatives from three Regional Departments of the Ministry of Education to Khan Academy’s methodology. Next, we will provide targeted mentoring to help teachers personalise learning and build students’ confidence in math. This momentum is moving us towards our 2028 goal of supporting at least 50 new schools – made possible by the UniCredit Foundation, the America for Bulgaria Foundation, private enterprises and donors like you.
Teacher Spotlight: Inspiring Confidence in the Classroom
For Greta Petrova, a math teacher at St. Cyril and St. Methodius School in Burgas, the real measure of success is seeing her students engaged, smiling, and motivated to learn.
This year, her sixth graders took part in our “Better at Math with Khan Academy” program, and the results surpassed expectations. Using the platform’s Khanoniada class challenge, Greta set a clear goal: the class could join the competition only if they reached 55 progress rings. The challenge sparked a wave of enthusiasm! Students worked diligently even outside school hours, tracked their progress in a group chat, and surprised their teacher by jumping from 42 to 57 rings in just a few days!
“If my students don’t laugh for at least two minutes during class, then that class is lost to me,” Greta says. The combination of clear goals, engaging digital tools, and a supportive environment helped her students not only improve their math skills but also grow in confidence and independence.
Students describe math as “more fun”, “like a video game”, and “easier to understand”, since working with Khan Academy. As Greta notes, the platform allows them to learn at their own pace, reduce stress, and truly enjoy the process of mastering new concepts.
Celebrating Success at 71st School “Peyo Yavorov”
At the 71st School “Peyo Yavorov” in Sofia, we concluded the school year with a celebration that combined learning, sports, and community spirit. With support from the UniCredit Foundation, students, parents, and teachers joined a lively arm-wrestling tournament alongside national champions. The highlight came when our Khan Academy class received certificates and small gifts, recognising their remarkable progress in math over the year.
Exploring Science at the 75th School “Todor Kableshkov”
To mark the end of the school year, sixth graders from our Khan Academy class at the 75th School “Todor Kableshkov” in Sofia and their teacher, Yordanka Mircheva, enjoyed an inspiring trip to TechnoMagicLand. Thanks to Bosch Digital Bulgaria, the students experimented with light, took part in a team quiz, and experienced the thrill of discovery firsthand. With backing from the UniCredit Foundation, the event showed students how math and science can connect to a world of curiosity and excitement.
A More Personal Approach to Mentorship
Over the past year, we have carefully listened to feedback from teachers who have participated in our mentorship program, ‘Better at Math with Khan Academy’. As a result, we redesigned the way we provide support. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, our education experts now work more closely with each teacher, tailoring their guidance to individual needs and classroom realities.
Team & Culture: Summer Teambuilding
On June 25–26, we held our summer teambuilding – two days to strengthen collaboration and recharge. Day one was a candid working session where we mapped what helps and hinders our daily work and aligned on clear next steps. Day two took us to Vitosha Mountain for an informal team hike and a hands-on workshop to craft a natural, OBR-branded mosquito repellent. The result: clearer direction, stronger bonds, and fresh energy for the months ahead.
Khan Academy Localisation for the Period May 2025 – August 2025
Creating own math content for grades 5-7: 11 videos and 11 exercises
Translation: 473 words in Mathematics, Resources, Arts
Proofreading: 452K words in Mathematics, Resources, Arts
Through tailored localisation of Khan Academy content, teacher training, school mentoring and personalised student learning, we are inspiring students to build confidence in their progress. With your continued support, we can reach even more classrooms, helping thousands of children discover that they can truly learn anything!
Thank you for supporting us on this journey and helping us expand our impact!
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