The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine will recognize teachers who defended or defend Ukraine
The annual teacher award launches a new special nomination «Teacher Advocate» to recognize educators who have combined country advocacy with work in education.
The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine presents a new special nomination — «Teacher-defender», which is designed to recognize teachers with military service experience.
The nomination is open to three categories of educators: teachers who today defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces; veterans and veterans who returned to work at the school after their service; as well as teachers whose professional path combined education and military service, but who, under the circumstances, currently do not have the opportunity to return to teaching. The winner of the nomination will receive 500,000 hryvnias.
«War taught me: weapons protect today, but education — tomorrow. Teacher and protector for me — are two roles of one responsibility: one holds heaven and earth, the other — meanings, values and inner strength of people; one protects the state physically, the other — shapes the resilience, thinking and values of those who will build it tomorrow. For me, this nomination — on the recognition that education during the war also became a front of responsibility», — says Oleksandr Chuchaev, history teacher, finalist of the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine in 2017 and 2020, now a serviceman of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Today, Ukrainian teachers not only teach children during war, but also often stand up for the defense of the country themselves, joining the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and other units. Many of them return to schools and lyceums after their service, where they continue to work with students. Their experience goes beyond personal history — it helps shape children's understanding of responsibility, resilience, leadership and the value of freedom. Especially before the launch of the nomination, servicemen and members of the Cultural Forces created a video about the people who today hold the defense of the country and its future.
«Teacher Defender — is a reality nomination in which we all find ourselves. When the teachers changed the school schedule to the schedule of shifts in the Armed Forces, or on the contrary, after completing the service, they chose to devote themselves to the school. We strive to highlight these stories, which are the most important lessons of today», — notes the founder of the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine and «Education» Zoya Lytvyn.
We remind you that you can submit a questionnaire or nominate an educator for the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2026 at this link.
The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine — is a leading national professional award for outstanding teachers, which this year celebrates its anniversary, 10th season. The main winner will receive 1,000,000 hryvnias. Separate special nominations of 2026 are also provided (in particular, «Mathematics teacher», «Defender teacher», «Integrity teacher», «Heart choice» and others) with rewards of up to 500,000 hryvnias or educational trips. 1+1 media acts as a general media partner, and the partner platform of cinema and television Kyivstar TV provides informational support.
