PYAT

Website design & development

Overview

In 2022, amidst the global pandemic and the arrival of many Ukrainian families seeking refuge from war, the Paul Yuzyk Academy of Toronto (PYAT) opened its doors. As a new educational institution, PYAT aimed to create a safe and nurturing environment for students, parents, and teachers to learn, socialize, and build a strong community. They needed a dynamic, dual-language website to serve as a central hub for communication and engagement. My team wand I were honoured to help bring their vision to life.

Website Development

Custom Design

SEO Optimization

Translation Management

Challenges and Solutions

Dual-Language Website Development: PYAT required a fully bilingual website in Ukrainian and English. The content and images differed between the two languages, necessitating custom pages rather than simple translations.

Solution: Developed a dual-language website with separate, customized pages for Ukrainian and English. I ensured seamless navigation between languages and contributed to translating content to maintain cultural accuracy across the site.

Grade-Specific Announcements: Teachers needed an easy way to post announcements and news specific to each grade level.

Solution: I simplified the backend WordPress so teachers could effortlessly post updates without requiring technical expertise. I also provided training sessions to familiarize them with the system.

Event Scheduling and Management: The academy wanted a robust event scheduling module.

Solution: We integrated a user-friendly event management system that enabled parents to interact with events seamlessly—adding them to personal calendars, RSVPing, managing guest lists, and completing payments securely through Stripe integration.

Advanced Reservation Forms: Enrollment forms needed to adapt based on several factors, including language selection, number of children enrolling, location, family dynamics, and medical histories like allergies.

Solution: Integrated a user-friendly event management system fulfilling all requirements, enabling parents to interact with events seamlessly and securely.

My Role in the Project

Project Management

I led the project from initial concept to final deployment, coordinating with PYAT stakeholders to align the website’s functionality with their community-focused goals.

UI/UX Design

I designed the website’s layout with a focus on intuitive navigation and accessibility, catering to users of all ages and technical backgrounds. This included creating separate but cohesive visual themes for each language version.

Multilingual Development

Leveraging my proficiency in Ukrainian and English, I oversaw the creation of the dual-language framework. I helped in the translation of content and ensured that both language versions of the site were culturally appropriate and engaging.

SEO Optimization

I optimized the website for search engines, improving visibility and attracting more traffic. This involved integrating SEO best practices into the development process, including proper use of HTML tags, enhancing site speed, and ensuring content was optimized for target keywords.

Custom Backend Development

I customized the backend system to simplify content management for teachers. This involved developing grade-specific announcement pages and streamlining the posting process to accommodate non-technical users.

Client Training

Post-launch, I conducted training workshops for teachers and administrative staff, empowering them to manage the website confidently and independently.