Top 10 Teachers of Ukraine: Finalists of the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2024 Announced

The prestigious national award, organized by the Osvitoria NGO, emphasizes the importance of the teaching profession. Despite the war, the award will be held for the eighth time because, as its slogan says, “Teachers are important!” 

This year, 1210 educators submitted their applications, and another 2059 teachers were nominated by Ukrainians—parents, students, and colleagues. After an independent evaluation, the top ten finalists were selected. 

“Each of these ten teachers proves that quality education for our children must continue no matter what, even when unprecedented challenges stand in the way. People like these are shaping a new reality for our country, giving children confidence in the future and the opportunity to dream big!” says Zoya Lytvyn, head of Osvitoria.

Here are their names:

Vladyslav Akymenko 

 

City of Lozova, Kharkiv region, Municipal Lozova Lyceum No. 1 of the Lozova City Council of the Kharkiv Region

 

Subject: history and geography (grades 5-9)

 

On his classroom door, a sign reads, “You are allowed to be yourself.” For Vladyslav, the main thing is that his students are honest, able to “celebrate mistakes,” and not afraid to express their opinions. He did not stop the educational process for a day a few kilometers from the front line when the full-scale invasion began. He worked with children who were returned from forced deportation to Russia and initiated the Lozova School Online. He believes in studying history through experience; therefore, his methodological arsenal includes lessons on a desert island, a Battleship, and quests.

 

Kateryna Korzun

 

Oleksiivka village, Dnipropetrovs'k region, Oleksiivka lyceum of Pokrovska village council

 

Subject: Ukrainian language and literature (grades 5-11)

 

Kateryna dreams of breaking down stereotypes about rural schools and successfully does so. Even though the school is located very close to the front line, its students receive a high-quality and modern education, use artificial intelligence and augmented reality, and win various competitions, because, as she says, “children from the countryside deserve the best.” Kateryna is also convinced that technology is not only for physicists and computer scientists: a Ukrainian language teacher can also use the STEM lab! She actively uses a scientific approach, interdisciplinarity, and action learning, and her methodological developments have received numerous awards.

 

Oleksii Kachan

 

City of Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia region, Municipal Zhmerynka Lyceum №3

 

Subject: Physical education (primary school)

 

Oleksii uses edutainment and gamification technologies: role-playing lessons, integration with other subjects, and virtual reality technologies. In his physical education classes, you can see game parachutes, ethnic drums, water pistols, and other non-standard equipment. He has adapted the program to martial law conditions with a national-patriotic component, promotes adaptation and socialization of IDP children, cares about the mental health of students, and actively shares his experience with colleagues.

 

Tetiana Tkach 

 

City of Kaharlyk, Kyiv region, Kaharlyk City Council Lyceum №3

 

Subject: English language.

 

As her colleagues say, “the biggest workaholic in the team,” Tetiana is a NUS change agent and a member of numerous professional communities. She not only quickly mastered online learning during the pandemic but also taught her colleagues how to do it. In her work with students, the main thing for her is that children learn by playing: role-playing and dramatization, brainstorming, and reflection—this is an incomplete list of her favorite methods. She won a grant with her students to create their own educational space! 

 

Larysa Romanyshyn 

 

Krushelnytsia village, Lviv region, Skole secondary school №2 named after Stefania Vitruk of Skole City Council

 

Subject: Chemistry, Physics, Biology (grades 7-11)

 

Larysa started her career as a chemical engineer but successfully moved into education, developing a unique interdisciplinary approach to teaching. With the outbreak of full-scale war, Larysa joined the School to Go volunteer project, which enables Ukrainian children scattered around the world to study according to the Ukrainian curriculum and with Ukrainian teachers. She fosters a love of nature in her students and actively engages them in international initiatives, such as the School Space Experiments Program (SSEP), where they have achieved significant success.

 

Lesya Pavliuk 

 

City of Ivano-Frankivsk, Lyceum №7 of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council

 

Subject: Primary school teacher

 

Lesya was one of the first teachers at her school to work with an inclusive classroom before the NUS reform. She actively develops new methods and implements them in the educational process, as evidenced by her long list of awards. She can find an individual approach to each student, which is especially important in inclusive education, and her students feel comfortable and free.

 

Vladyslav Kronhaus  

 

The City of Kharkiv, Municipal Kharkiv Lyceum №3

 

Subject: Integrated course “Ukraine and the World: Introduction to History and Civic Education” (6th grade), Integrated course “History: Ukraine and the World” (7th grade), Integrated course “Kharkiv Studies,” History of Ukraine, World History.

 

His students demonstrate incredible results in intellectual competitions, creative works, and the Junior Academy of Sciences competition defense. Vladyslav actively supports his students outside the classroom, helping talented children find grants and opportunities for development. He organizes numerous projects, such as Trolleybus Stories and preparation for the External Independent Testing, which have reached hundreds of students.

 

Yaroslav Fedko 

 

The city of Dnipro, Municipal Educational association №136 “Classical gymnasium named after Cyril and Methodius - elementary school - preschool - valeological center” of the Dnipro City Council

 

Subject: Physics (grades 7-11)

 

Yaroslav is a physics teacher with a unique background, having started his career as a medical equipment engineer. This allows him to integrate scientific knowledge into his teaching, making lessons practical and exciting. To increase student engagement, he uses innovative methods, such as gamification platforms and robotics kits. Yaroslav motivates them to participate in competitions and contests, ensuring high national and international results.

 

Olha Enzelt 

 

City of Ternopil/Pokrovsk, Pokrovska secondary school of I-III degrees №9, Donetsk region

 

Subject: Algebra and beginnings of mathematical analysis, Geometry (grades 10-11)

 

Olha helps students achieve high results at Olympus, Olympis, Kangaroo, and other competitions, strengthening their motivation and confidence. Uses success stories of famous people to show students that the path to achievement is often full of setbacks and challenges. This helps students to understand that mistakes are a normal part of the path to success.

 

Oleksandr Dumyshynets 

 

Kyiv, International Relations Lyceum №51

 

Subject: Computer science (grades 5-11).

 

Oleksandr actively uses modern technologies in his lessons, including Minecraft Education, artificial intelligence, and video and animation projects. He not only teaches but also constantly develops digital products and courses for teachers and conducts training on digitalization, caring about the quality of education in Ukraine and the involvement of teachers in the latest technologies.

The winner will be chosen from among these finalists and awarded on October 5, International Teacher's Day: they will receive UAH 1 million to fulfill their educational dreams. The best preschool teacher and winners in other nominations, such as "Choice with the Heart" from 1+1 Marathon anchor and interviewer Natalia Moseychuk, will also be selected. 

"The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine honors teachers who work with the future. This is what our Defenders are fighting for! I am pleased that fate brings me together with incredible educators. And I meet an extraordinary story that the country should know about every year!" Natalia Moseychuk highlights the mission of the award.

Osvitoria organizes the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Diia.Osvita, KSE Foundation, Talents for Ukraine, Uklon and the Sense bookstore, and UNICEF Ukraine, which supports the special nomination "Preschool" within the award. 1+1 Media is the general media partner, while Kyivstar TV and Hromadske Radio provide information support for the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine.