The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, participated in the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine ceremony, an annual national award for teachers who are agents of educational change. The award has been presented by the "Osvitoria" public organization since 2017. The prize is designed to recognize the achievements of teachers not only in relation to their students but also their contributions to society, emphasizing the importance of educators in Ukraine.
This year, Global Teacher Prize Ukraine received over half a thousand stories from teachers from across the country. For the second year in a row, the main goal of the award during these challenging times is to share the stories of teachers to express gratitude and recognize the importance of their work.
The First Lady of Ukraine expressed her gratitude to all Ukrainian educators who, during these difficult times of war, continue to work and teach not only educational subjects but also resilience and love for life through their own example. They strengthen the faith of the youth in their abilities, demonstrate that life goes on despite hostile attacks, and show that there is a future for children, their families, and the entire country.
The First Lady presented the national Global Teacher Prize Ukraine award in the "Young Teacher" category to 23-year-old Petro Sitek from Lviv. The recognition was awarded for his innovative teaching methods that include elements of leadership and mentorship.
"This nomination is extremely inspiring because it signifies that the teaching profession is prestigious for young people. It shows that the profession excites them and does not deter them with its challenges. Some of the nominees started working just before the war, while others were already in the midst of the conflict. Nevertheless, they stayed in their positions and did not leave teaching. This also deserves special appreciation. The winner emphasizes the important course for gender equality in Ukraine. Women make up approximately 85% of Ukrainian teachers. So, our winner gives hope that the teaching profession is of interest and attracts men as well. Because equal opportunities, which Ukraine has been fighting for all these years, should also be present in the teaching profession," said Olena Zelenska.
Petro Sitek teaches at the Lviv School of Free and Compassionate Debates and Mentoring, which, in his opinion, plays a significant role in shaping the personality of students.
"We need to change our approaches to education. Focus on the kind of individuals we are helping to shape, rather than just the knowledge they acquire. Because the most important thing in this endeavor is to inspire, and then no one can stop people who want to gain knowledge. I believe that education has the power to change the world," the teacher stated.
"Petro says he wants to first raise happy individuals in his students. And that is exactly what all of us want for Ukraine. Because a country where every person is happy will surely be a happy one," concluded Olena Zelenska.
