Mr Medvedev said in particular in his message:
“Your competition brings together those who devote their strength and creative energy to educating the young generation – our country’s future. It is you, teachers, who play such a big part in shaping who our children will become, what kind of knowledge they will acquire and what road in life they will choose.
Russian schools today need new and innovative pedagogical ideas. They need teachers with a keen sense of the times and able to take education in Russia to a new level and make it competitive at the global level.
I am sure that your professionalism, experience, dedication and selfless labour will help to reach this goal, preserve and add to Russian teachers’ fine name and ultimately help to prepare schoolchildren for the responsibilities of adult life.”
The national Teacher of the Year competition began in 1990. The main objectives are to find, support and encourage talented teachers, raise the prestige of teaching as a profession and spread the teaching experience of Russia’s best teachers.
The winner and competition laureates receive the Crystal Pelican, the main prize. All finalists in the competition receive the medal Teacher of the Year along with diplomas and gifts.
Fifteen finalists were chosen at the first round of the competition in St Petersburg. The absolute winner will be named on October 3 in Moscow.