Do you think that your teacher is creative, dedicated and the best?
Shout out about it!
The teaching profession is among occupations that require most responsibility because a teacher has a difficult and important task to transmit knowledge. This also means that a teacher has a direct impact on his students’ development and their future.
Today, their goal is to create successful citizens of the world who will be fully prepared to adopt knowledge and skills of the 21st century.
Through this project we wish to encourage and reward teachers who make a difference at their job and achieve outstanding results with their students.
A teacher who is innovative and makes changes, who is a role model and an inspiration to his students and colleagues, the one who encourages intellectual curiosity of his students and engages them in the learning process is a teacher that has a lifelong impact on them.
Each year, between 10 and 20 teachers and professors from elementary and high schools in Serbia will be selected and awarded.
Students, parents, colleagues or anyone else who believes he knows an exceptional teacher can nominate them for “Serbian Teaching Awards“ through the nomination form on our website. The applications are open in the second quarter of the calendar year.
The selection consists of several rounds and the winners announcement and the award ceremony are expected later this year.
All of the selected teachers will be awarded with prize money, most of which can only be spent on teacher-student activities, thereby supporting their work and improving the quality and scope of their activities.
Awarding the best teachers in Serbia means much more than just recognizing the individuals or singling out the best.
Through this project we wish to remind teachers and professors how important their profession and the quality of their work are for the whole society and the future of the country.
By singling out the best teachers, we wish to raise awareness about the core values of teaching and to set an example for others or at least give them something to strive for.
We wish to thank all those teachers who are trying to improve the society we live in, not only by being better people themselves, but also by teaching the future generations true values and being their inspiration for progress.
Because those teachers who are always going the extra mile and always doing things better
and are not afraid to be different, are the entrepreneurs in their own job.
They are precisely the ones who are setting the best example for students and inspiring entrepreneurial spirit
among young people, the very spirit that will allow them to become successful entrepreneurs, scientists or artists.
All of the best teachers, in addition to their personal portion of the award, also receive certain financial resources for the improvement of their work. That money can be spent on the implementation of various projects with students or equipment.
In this way, we wish to help them put their ideas into practice, and also encourage new ideas and projects.
Our best teachers are innovative, proactive and inspirational people who make positive changes in their work and environment.
Teacher evaluation is based on several factors, such as: how creative, interesting and versatile they are in their regular classes, how good of an example are they setting for the children, how much they encourage students to think and explore, to be active and hard-working, and also how much they advocate for students’ development and improvement of their talents, skills and abilities inside and outside the classroom.
After the closing date, all candidates go through several rounds of selection.
The first round is conducted by the organization and the last year's winners, while various educational institutions and individuals take part in the final round by giving their opinion on who the winner should be.
You can find a list of the past members of the committee here.
He constantly comes up with different activities that involve students and help them in better understanding of the material.
He has perfect understanding of the material and is always ready to answer all the questions students might have, and if he doesn’t know the answer at the moment, he immediately looks for it.
He is dedicated and determined and loves his job. That’s the best way he can get students interested in his subject.
He constantly improves himself, responds to the needs of new generations, keeps up with changes in education and stays up-to-date on new trends.
He expresses himself clearly, precisely and accurately, possesses linguistic competence, gives inspirational speeches and knows how to transmit knowledge. He easily attracts his students’ attention, interacts with them and gets them interested in the material.
He knows how to organize the class and maintain classroom discipline, knows his primary goal at any time and has a clear lesson plan.
He is principled, objective and realistic when grading, treats his students equally, he is consistent and he always keeps his word.
Students will go wrong many times before they learn something. The best teacher must be prepared to help them and encourage them a countless number of times. He will give each student as much attention as he needs to master the material.
Applications were closed on July 1, 2015.
Applications for the next round will open in April, 2016.
Lucija Tasić
Elementary School “Dragoljub Ilić”, Valjevo“I grew accustomed to working without awards and acknowledgements, without support and laurels. I did everything the hard way, the way that knows no shortcuts. I walked forward with small, but decisive steps, without stumbling or skipping stairs. Love towards my profession and patience are my guiding lights, and creativity is my basic need. The “Serbian Teaching Awards” award was a guidepost with only one direction – FORWARD! It shined my path and encouraged me to continue walking on well known and paved paths, paths of knowledge and innovation. Thank you to the ''Živojin Mišić'' organization for bringing back faith in the future of our profession, for recognizing and motivating hard work and dedication.”
Katarina Ivanović
Elementary School “Stevan Dukić”, Beograd“I love my job and I do my best to keep the students interested, inspired and motivated. To show them the beauty of mathematics and encourage them to be diligent and tenacious in their path. The “Serbian Teaching Awards” project is what inspires me. It is a confirmation that we cannot stop, that we must always move forward, and that there are those who will recognize and award that love and commitment.”
Suzana Veljković
Elementary School “Branko Miljković”, Niš“The “Živojin Mišić” organization is one of the proofs that miracles happen when we least expect them. A “miracle” has happened to me! My twenty-two-year-long work has been recognized firstly by the students’ parents, and then confirmed by the Expert Commission in charge for the selection of the best teacher in Serbia in 2014. The job of being a teacher is the hardest and the easiest at the same time. The most beautiful one, but also the one that bears the most responsibility. We work with diamonds that we need to shape individually, to carefully hone them without damaging them, to care for them, to monitor them, to open the doors of knowledge for them so that they can be ready for life, to make good and honest people out of them. The teachers’ road looks like a labyrinth where we often run into a wall or run in circles, but the “Živojin Mišić” organization has lit the light of hope that we are on the right path in choosing our profession. The award that I have received means a lot to my personal professional development. It encouraged me, made me stronger, gave me the “wind on my back” and crowned my professional work so far. Thank you to the “Živojin Mišić” organization for this impressive project and for the flattering title!”
Tatjana Marković Topalović
Medical School “Dr Andra Jovanović”, Šabac“Smart, wise and dedicated people that think about the same topic exchange looks rather that words. It is hard to write something about our “catapult” into public and be different, fresh and more inspirational. The “Serbian Teaching Awards 2014” project is one of the best things that happened to me in the past year, and in my professional carrier in general. It helped me to accept being different, to start believing again how extraordinary my profession is and confirmed my hope that I am not lost in the sea of teaching mediocrity. Finding out that there is an island with a special relationship towards learning and teaching has strengthened my position to fight for “building” intellectuals, because an intellectual is built, not born. I am thankful and obliged to this excellent project and to the organization and I act according my far-reaching responsibility.”
Dragan Kuveljić
Elementary School “M. Stiković”, Prijepolje“The “Serbian Teaching Awards” project is the best thing that has happened to the diligent, responsible, innovative, upright and honest teachers of Serbia. Those who are ready to build a world where our children will live. Those who are ready to learn in a time of great changes. The project is an opportunity for the teachers who make a difference to be acknowledged, unlike those who do everything by inertia, embedded in the everyday routine, without desire, strength or courage to change anything in this time of great changes. The message to my colleagues is that there is someone that appreciates and values that some teachers know and understand the way in which children learn, that they believe that every child can learn and develop and that they create the environment and the process of learning that respects every child and starts from their own abilities, interests, needs and other characteristics. For me, this reward is an inspiration, an encouragement, a path, a motivation and support to keep going and endure on the road of changes, for a better, functional education, for every child in Serbian schools.”
Saša Porubski
Zemun Grammar School, Zemun”A man who wants to do something will find a way; a man who doesn't will find an excuse.” (Picasso) As I found a way to motivate a large number of children to do something great for themselves, the “Živojin Mišić” organization has found a way to help the children through us teachers to become better people that will make the world a better place. A quality circle for a better future. The “Živojin Mišić” organization motivates us to become better, as we are the ones that teach the children to become better and in turn make the world better and create an opportunity for many more such organizations that will foster true values. There are no excuses, we can see the light, the future awaits. Let us be prepared as more challenges are yet to come.”
Gordana Petrović
Secondary Technical School “14. oktobar”, Kraljevo“The time that we live in has unfortunately degraded many values, among which is the profession of teaching. Your project brings back hope that there is someone who values and appreciates the work of teachers after all. This award has motivated me to continue to work hard so the students, and me as well, can enjoy acquiring new knowledge. Thank you for bringing back hope.”
Saša Čorboloković
Elementary School „3. oktobar“, BorIn a time where negative comments about education and teachers are dominant, a project that acknowledges work, commitment, dedication of teachers and results achieved in working with children deservers all the praise. I think that the Organization has rightfully recognized that the future and prosperity of a society lie in its learning children, but that it is only possible with the people that are teaching those children. Organization of classes and approaches to teaching change, but the core values stay the same: the importance of a good teacher and pedagogue and the teaching profession itself as a base of all other professions, no matter how untrue some people today might think that is. The award meant the most to me because it gave me encouragement by showing me that I am on the right path even though I was sometimes questioning my method of work and my views on education. At the same time I realized that, despite all the difficulties that appear in your way, there is someone who still recognizes true values and encourages teachers to endure.
Gordana Janevska
Elementary School „Dimitrije Todorović Kaplar“, Knjaževac“In the drab of everyday life, amidst ups and downs, hoping for better days for all teachers… The “Živojin Mišić” organization entered my life softly and quietly. It restored my faith, despite my wavering decision to give up on everything, to become mediocre… Thank you to the Organization for recognizing what is happening with education at the right time and for putting teachers on the pedestal, where they belong.”
Slavoljub Mitić
Grammar School “Svetozar Marković” and Elementary School “Bubanjski heroji”, Niš“There are not enough projects like this one that try to objectively and unbiasedly appraise some values. When I started working as a teacher, I decided to do my best, not paying much attention to how others were doing or not doing their job. That is why I am glad that at least someone knows how to appreciate it. This award is certainly a significant encouragement and wind on my back.”
Biljana Veselinović
Elementary School “Smeh i suza”, Aleksinac“It’s not common practice in our society to acknowledge and praise the work of individuals, let alone to award them. Especially in the so-called public sector where “success is credited to all, but failure is blamed on objective circumstances and individuals”. This is why the selection of the finest done by the “Živojin Mišić” organization is a sort of a precedent. I have used my prize money on acquiring teaching aids and equipping a classroom designed for implementation of the Montessori program. That represents the realization of one of my wishes. Namely, a few years ago I attended the basic and advanced Montessori program, and we didn’t have enough funds to equip a classroom for its implementation. The school has provided us with the space, and the prize money came in handy for rounding up the program and accomplishing my goal. The program that involves “learning a bit differently” is attended by both younger and older students of our school, as well as by students of other schools. Small and humble - is it not? But those “small things” are the ones that make life and work in school easier, more beautiful and more interesting. That, however, is not a small thing. Thank you.”
Željana Lukić Radojičić
Elementary School “Milan Rakić”, Mionica (currently the Deputy Minister for preschool and primary education in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development)“An excellent project of the “Živojin Mišić” organization! “Serbian Teaching Awards” is a competition that recognizes the best, gives them a strong tailwind and the wings of confidence that guides them to the peak of their professional success. The “Serbian Teaching Awards” award has crowned my professional development as it coincidentally appeared as the final step that took me to the top of the professional pyramid. Thank you to the “Živojin Mišić” organization for starting this significant educational project, the project that will continue to stir the enthusiasm of the best teachers of Serbia and show them that they are not alone, that there are organizations that notice and acknowledge their work.”
Biljana Živković
Elementary School “Vuk Stefanović Karadžić”, Kragujevac“A man is a traveler through time and space, and that road can be crossed with more or less enjoyment. But if your job gives you joy, then an award like this is wind on your back for new endeavors. My new endeavors were two students participating in the National Physics Competition, the workshop and the work that won first prize in the poster section of the National Seminar on Physics Teaching, work at the Teachers Convocation, two published works in the “Pedagogical Practice”, organization and realization of the mini science festival at school, and finally, the realization of the accredited stand “Pedagogy and technology in the classical and the "twisted" classroom” for my colleagues from the region. Of course, none of this was accomplished solely by me, but in cooperation with colleagues from my school, my town and the whole Serbia. Thank you to everyone that cooperated with me!”
Snežana Radivojša
Elementary School “Đuro Strugar”, Beograd“Going through a forest, however regulated it may be, a man must always carve his path – decide how to go through it. Will he go through a beaten path; or a shortcut through the bushes; or swing on the vines like Tarzan; or build a treehouse; will he scare the squirrels; how careful and caring will he be not to disturb the biodiversity or set the forest on fire… If someone makes a great effort to not harm an ant nor a bear, to not chase out the owls and increase the numbers of rats, to not cut down the growing trees nor disturb the sprouts from getting to the sun, to not pick too many blackberries so there is enough for everyone, to walk through hell and back - so the synergy of the forest creatures would be directed to the benefit of the whole forest… then that truly is worthy of praise, attention and acknowledgment. The forest is thick, dark and cold, full of rotten trees, peculiar bushes, prickly plants, angry and large-headed beasts… You need to go through thick and thin and have a brave heart for all the troubles in the road… That is why the “Serbian Teaching Awards” award is a great motivation…it smells like vanilla and blueberries, so many good and tenacious acrobats will find “their own” ways, following their ideas, trusting that they will get to their “pie”…”
Vukašin Vasić
High School of Economics „Nada Dimić“, Zemun“Awards are a very nice thing, but in a time where work, education and professional ethics bear little respect, the awards obligate us to invest and sacrifice ourselves to the point of burning out. When I look back at my work in the past few years, I am certain that it has much more quality as a direct consequence of the “Best educators of Serbia” award, awarded by the “Živojin Mišić” organization. If I were a “rational agent” as a teacher, I would never wish for myself to receive such a renowned award again. However, luckily for my students, I am not a “rational agent”, and even at this age I still get endless joy from learning and knowledge, from intellectual and empathetic games. A man, however, cannot do everything by himself, so organizations like these are the cause of sustainable development and universal social progress.”
THE BEST TEACHERS IN SERBIA