On October 4, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine hosted the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2025 award ceremony — the national prize often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for teachers.” Among the participants, a particularly moving moment came from Kira Kasynets, a schoolgirl from Uzhhorod, whose performance captivated the audience.
The young performer took the stage to present a poetic piece accompanied by the renowned piano virtuoso Evgeny Khmara. Her poem — tender and sincere — was dedicated to teachers who teach, support, and believe in their students every day. Organizers noted that Kira’s performance became “the voice of gratitude from all Ukrainian children” and one of the most emotional highlights of the evening.
About the award
Global Teacher Prize Ukraine is the Ukrainian version of the international award established by the Varkey Foundation in 2015. Its goal is to recognize educators who introduce innovative methods, inspire students, and transform the education system. In Ukraine, the prize is organized by the NGO Osvitoria, and the annual ceremony gathers hundreds of teachers, artists, and public figures.
The 2025 event was held under the motto “A Teacher Changes Everything” and became a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian educators — those who continue teaching despite the challenges of war, displacement, and constant uncertainty.
Winners of 2025
The main award — the title of “Best Teacher of the Year” — went to Ruslan Shalamov, a biology and ecology teacher from Kharkiv. He was recognized for developing original educational programs, advancing environmental education, and working with children during wartime.
Other laureates included:
- Lyudmyla Savchenko (Lviv region) — for implementing STEM projects in a rural school;
- Olena Pohorila (Cherkasy) — for creating an inclusive educational environment;
- Tetiana Bilyk (Dnipro) — for her project “A School Without Textbooks.”
In the “People’s Choice” category, Olena Zelenska announced the winner, emphasizing that “Every teacher is a person who keeps faith in the future, even when it seems impossible.”