Stories about the Class of 2026 | Anastasia Yaworsky, Bachelor of Physical Education.
When Anastasia Yaworsky first started her Bachelor of Physical Education degree, she wanted to find a place where her love for health and fitness could make a real difference. In the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, she found exactly what she was looking for: a close community of people who wanted to help others.
“Being part of FKRM means being able to study, learn and grow alongside people who share similar mindsets and passions for health, wellness and physical activity,” she says. “It has given me the opportunity to connect with classmates who are motivated, supportive and passionate about making a difference through movement, sport and education.”
For Yaworsky, the best part of her university experience was how close everyone became. Going to class and working on group projects helped her build strong connections and teamwork skills that made the campus feel much smaller.
“I would describe my experience as welcoming, engaging and very community oriented,” says Yaworsky. “Especially during my last two years without COVID restrictions, I truly felt connected to the faculty through attending classes regularly, participating in practical activities, and working closely with the same groups of students who also enjoyed being part of the faculty.”
Yaworksy says people around her made a huge difference in her daily life.
“Having instructors who genuinely care about student success and classmates who continuously support and motivate one another created a positive learning environment that helped me succeed. Their encouragement and willingness to help made my educational experience so meaningful.”
Yaworsky did not just learn from textbooks; she learned by doing. Her favorite moments on campus were the classes where she could actually practice being a leader.
“My most memorable experiences have been the practical and experiential learning classes,” she says. “Being able to practice teaching lessons, lead activities and observe other students in action helped me grow in confidence and develop the skills needed to become a future physical education teacher.”
“These experiences allowed me to learn in hands-on ways and better understand how to create engaging and supportive learning environments for students.”
These hands-on moments helped her grow as a person and gave her the tools she needs for her career.
“It has helped me recognize the importance of creating positive and inclusive environments where people feel encouraged to participate and grow. FKRM has also strengthened my communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, which have helped shape me both personally and professionally.”
Now that graduation is here, Yaworsky is ready to take the next step. She wants to use everything she learned in the faculty to help young students find joy in staying active.
“I was recently accepted into the Middle Years stream in the Bachelor of Education program, and I am excited to continue growing into the best physical education teacher I can be,” Yaworsky says. “In the future, I hope to teach physical education and coach school sports teams, as sports were a very important part of my own middle school experience.”
She already has a clear vision for her future gym classes.
"My goal is to share my passion for teamwork, healthy living and physical education while creating an environment where all students feel supported and motivated to participate."
UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. Many graduates recognized at Convocation will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s economic impact on our community.
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