Grand Prize
Enlightener
One prize that can only be won by a person
who currently participates in direct work with children and students
What does the prize include?
Plaque, badge, promotional video and cash prize in the amount of
1,000,000 dinars
The winner of the Grand Prize is obliged to spend his prize fund of 1,000,000 dinars as follows:
- 40% of the amount of the prize money is a personal portion and the awardee spends it as he wishes;
- The awardee is obliged to invest 60% of the prize money in improving education within one year, which he will prove through the realization of a school project within at least one of the following topics:
- Creating a stimulating environment for learning;
- Application of happy learning pedagogy;
- Networking of teachers (study trips);
- Student networking (exchange and travel).
Final categories
A maximum of one finalist
Exceptional
preschool teacher
A maximum of one finalist
Exceptional
homeroom teacher
A maximum of two finalists
Exceptional
subject teacher
A maximum of one finalist
Exceptional
instructor
What does the prize include?
Plaque, badge, promotional video and cash prize in the amount of
100,000 dinars
Prize winners are obliged to spend their prize fund of 100,000 dinars as follows:
- 40% of the amount of the prize money is a personal part and the awardees spend it as they wish;
- 60% of the prize money is required to be invested in the financing of one of their projects in the field of education.
If it happens that a sufficient number of quality applications do not arrive from certain categories, the organizer will omit the awarding in one or more categories that year.
Semi-final categories
A maximum of three semi-finalists
Excellence in preschool education
A maximum of six semi-finalists
Excellence in primary education
A maximum of three semi-finalists
Excellence in secondary education
A maximum of three semi-finalists
Excellence in informal education
What does the prize include?
Plaque, badge, participation in the Summer School of Excellence.
Audience Award
The award is given to one of the semi-finalists who do not make it to the final, based on the results of the audience's vote via the Award Organizer's website.
What does the prize include?
In addition to the prizes provided for the semi-finalists, there is also an additional cash prize in the amount of
100,000 dinars
This is an award given to one of the semi-finalists who do not make it to the finals. The goal of the Audience Award is to bring the stories of exceptional teaching personalities closer to the public. The organizer announces the results of the audience's vote during the ceremony of awarding the Serbian Teacher Award Enlightener. The audience prize, in the amount of one hundred thousand dinars, is awarded to the winner by a distinguished person from the city (place) where the selected teacher lives.
It will be possible to vote publicly for the audience award on the website of the Serbian Teacher Award Enlightener from September 1 to October 1, 2024.
Description of criteria
Award Jury
The organizer formед an eleven-member jury from teachers, parents, directors of educational institutions, people from the world of media, science, art and sports, and representatives of the organizing committee. The president of the jury is the president of the organizing committee of the Serbian Teacher Award.
Members of the Jury
Ana Blagdanic
representative of the student community
She is a student in the third grade of the French high school in Belgrade (École française de Belgrade), majoring in science and mathematics. She came to the high school as a scholarship holder (Bourse d'excellence), after graduating from Elementary School "Duško Radović" (holder of the Vuk Karadžić diploma). During her education so far, she has participated and won prizes in competitions (both Serbian and French) in mathematics, physics, in computer science and French. In her free time, she plays sports (he has been practising basketball for eleven years) and improves skills such as programming and foreign languages.
Anna's educational philosophy:
When I think about how I view education, I often compare the Serbian and French systems and tend to recognize both advantages and disadvantages in both. Therefore, I often emphasize the importance of an individual approach, adapting to different levels with a focus on understanding the content and developing critical thinking, rather than pure reproduction and rote learning.
Ana Manojlovic
representative of the parent community
Ana is Vuk's mom and host of the Belgrade Chronicle, which gives ordinary people a chance to tell their life stories. We have seen her do it in “The Eye”, and today we watch her on RTS 1, letting us all know the power of a good story. This is the only way we can find "justifications" for all her awards, starting with UNICEF and the award for the best report about children, through NUNS and the award for investigative journalism for the story about clinical research of drugs on humans in Serbia, to awards for stories about the lives of people with disabilities and children from enclaves in Kosovo and Metohija.
Anna's educational philosophy:
Ana's profession and work with people from all walks of life qualifies her as an objective contemporary of today's society, of which education is a huge and important part. On the other hand, the role of a mother gives her the right to, unlike Ana the journalist, publicly express her opinion and to fight for the kind of educational philosophy that the best Serbian educators today call Happy Learning, which is teaching tailored to children, their potentials, their needs and their happiness!
Elizabeta Karalic
representative of ZVKOV, a special organization of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia
Elizabeta is the assistant director for ensuring the quality of the work of institutions at the Institute for the Evaluation of the Quality of Education, doctor of philological sciences, external evaluator, teacher of the Serbian language and literature with many years of experience in elementary school and high school. She deals with quality assurance in the education system, starting with the creation of student achievement standards, through the quality standards of institutions' work, to the provision of professional support to teachers and institutions in the domains of self-evaluation, external evaluation, monitoring of student progress and evaluation.
Elizabeta's educational philosophy:
Every student has the right to quality education and every teacher has the right to support in their professional work. She advocates that teachers have appropriate support in directing learning to key competencies, in strengthening reading, mathematical and scientific literacy and developing students' capacity to apply knowledge and skills in real life situations, as well as to analyze, think critically, draw conclusions and find solutions to various problem situations.
Ana Pesikan
representative of the Board of Education – Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Full professor at the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, doing research in the field of pedagogical and developmental psychology. She is a national and international expert on education (UNICEF, OSCE). She was the Minister of Science in the Government of the Republic of Serbia. She is the winner of seven professional awards.
Anna's educational philosophy:
Ana's educational philosophy can be summed up in Njegoš's saying: "God gives strength to the hardworking!" Education, like no other field, affects the development of both individuals and society and the country as a whole. Empirical research confirms that the teacher has the greatest influence on the quality of education and school learning. Being a teacher is a miraculous profession, because a good teacher causes a change in the life of his students. In addition to training and opportunities for professional development, it is extremely important to highlight good teachers, publicly say that they are good (arguably) and thank them for the good they do for all of us, regardless of whether we have our own children or not.
Iva Draskic Vicanovic
representative of the university community
Doctor of Philosophy, Dean and full professor of Aesthetics at the Faculty of Philology , University of Belgrade. She is a member of the Philosophical Society of Serbia, the Aesthetic Society of Serbia and the International Association for Aesthetics. She is a member of the working group of the University of Belgrade for improving the status of teaching study programs at the university.
Iva's educational philosophy:
Education has two key roles: to form the principle of humanity in a person and to create the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for a person to perform a job. Both roles are important, but the first is essential. The postulate of such an understanding of education is that a person is a purpose, not just a means to perform a job. People engaged in education have a special mission in society. It is very important to recognize and reward the best among them, because they are a guide, both for other individuals who are on the same task with them, and for the education system as a whole.
Aleksandar Baucal
representative of social sciences
He is a full professor of developmental and educational psychology at the University of Belgrade and a member of the International Academy of Education. He advocates for improving the quality of education. He believes that such change can be created by teachers and schools with adequate empowerment and support provided by decision makers and experts from the research community.
Aleksandar's educational philosophy:
Despite the fact that the general situation in education in Serbia is unsatisfactory, despite the fact that the status of education is very low and regardless of the fact that the teaching profession is not valued in society, there are teachers and schools that, due to various circumstances, managed to create quality education for their students. That is why it is important that good examples become more visible and are promoted. They provide a roadmap and should be an important support in creating a better education system.
Tijana Prodanovic
representative of natural sciences
Tijana is an astrophysicist, an associate professor at the Department of Astronomy at the University of Belgrade, a scientist who applies artificial intelligence within startups, a scientific communicator on social networks known as Dr. Kosmik Rej (drcosmicray) and the program coordinator of the Night of Researchers in Novi Sad. In addition, she also taught gifted students at the Jovan Jovanović Zmaj high school for four years. Tijana was born in 1978 in Novi Sad, graduated in astrophysics at the Faculty of Mathematics in Belgrade in 2001, and completed her doctoral studies in astrophysics in 2006 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.
Tijana's educational philosophy:
The role of a teacher is one of the most responsible roles because a teacher can determine a child's career path by influencing us to constantly run away from something or to constantly run towards something. A good teacher, in addition to imparting knowledge, must also inspire.
Borko Petrovic
representative of the teaching community
Borko is a multiple award-winning English teacher from Paraćin and one of the best teachers in the world. His art of public speaking, through which he reflects the power of inspiration and motivation, has put him in the spotlight of media interest. Borko makes ample use of their interest by constantly drawing the public's attention to the position of teachers in society.
Borko’s educational philosophy:
Borko likes to live and work "contextually", and his context is his family, school, city and country. From that philosophy of his, one can draw the conclusion that he selflessly gives to his local community as much as to his own family, because he believes that an educator cannot turn away from the times and challenges in which not only he lives, but also the object of his obsession - the bright future he sees in his students!
Zoran Milojevic
representative of the non-governmental sector
Director of the Educational Creative Center and teacher at the secondary vocational school in Bor. Since 2011, he has been directing his energy, time and other resources to the professional training of employees in the education system of Serbia and the countries in the region. He believes that teachers, educators, professional assistants, principals and other employees in the education system are the basic resource necessary for the quality of the education system.
Zoran's educational philosophy:
If he can help just one teacher who will further help one student with his work, he considers that he has made a success in life. He does not dream of global changes in education, even if he himself initiated major changes in online professional development and laid the foundations of quality online seminars. He believes that there is only one way to a high-quality education system, and that is to completely turn the pyramid of hierarchy, so that teachers and educators are at the top and have all the necessary support from professional associates, directors, officials in school administrations, institutes, and the Ministry of Education, down to the Minister himself at the bottom.
Tanja Peternek Aleksic
media representative
She graduated in theatre, film and TV dramaturgy at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, and built her career at Radio Television Belgrade as a screenwriter and editor in the school program editorial office. For more than 20 years as an author, she has been signing her own TV show – “TV faces, people like everyone else”, which is the only television series that is preserved in the Yugoslav Cinematheque in Belgrade.
Tanja's educational philosophy:
"Yet everything depends on individuals, on the personal commitment and conviction of educators, teachers, professors that they are doing one of the most important jobs in the world. And when everything in society is making us doubt their belief, it is important that this award exists, not because of the award as such, but because of the event where they will meet many more enthusiasts in education who share common values. It is a great honor and responsibility for me to be part of the jury that will decide on the best of the best, but I believe that all those who participate are already winners who, with the attitude that always and despite everything, it makes sense to fight against apathy, despondency and lack of interest in the educational system, spread faith that there is hope.''
Zeljana Radojicic Lukic
representative of the organizer
Zeljana is a multi-awarded Serbian teacher, author of children's books and one of the best teachers in the world.She has come a long way, from the role of a village teacher to the assistant minister of education of the Republic of Serbia, in order to devote herself completely to the development of the concept of happy learning pedagogy.
Zeljana's educational philosophy:
Based on her own experience from childhood, in which she acquired extensive knowledge about various aspects of nature through interaction with it, Zeljana insists on the pedagogy of happy learning. She advocates for the creation of conditions so that every student gets the opportunity for experiential learning in a natural environment. Through the application of happy learning pedagogy, she strives for students not only to acquire knowledge, but also to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, in order to understand the importance of having virtues and moral values.
Who are we looking for?
KINDERGARTEN PRIMARY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
FROM FORMAL EDUCATION
We are looking for exceptional kindergarten, primary and secondary school teachers who are currently making a difference by bringing innovations to work with children and/or students in Serbia and the Serbian diaspora.
Candidates for the award must have a minimum of five years of work experience spent working directly with children and/or students between the ages of five and eighteen.
KINDERGARTEN PRIMARY SCHOOL SECONDARY SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS MENTORS INSTRUCTORS COACHES FACILITATORS RECREATION WORKERS
FROM INFORMAL EDUCATION
In fact, all employees in student dormitories, correctional homes, boarding schools, various private schools, such as foreign language, music, dance, art, science, sports, etc., have the right to participate. Apart from them, the right to participate is also available to employees with extended stays, clubs for children and youth, associations, online schools and other forms of informal education in Serbia and the Serbian diaspora.
Candidates must have a minimum of five years of work experience in direct work with children and/or students, at least ten hours a week.
Who can nominate?
The teacher for the national award can be nominated by the general public - work colleagues, co-workers, principals, current and former students, parents, neighbors and friends through the NOMINATION FORM. It is a form of gratitude and support to the nominated teacher for the exceptional work and passion with which he performs the teaching job. The organizer will inform the candidate about the nomination and invite him to fill out the application.
How does it work?
The teacher can apply for the competition by himself through the APPLICATION FORM or he can accept the received nomination that the organizer informs him about and fill out the APPLICATION FORM based on it.
When do we do it?
25. фебруар 2024.1. Opening nominations and applications
15. април 2024.2. Closing nominations
15. мај 2024.3. Closing applications
15. јун 2024.4. Announcement of semi-finalists
25. август 2024.5. Announcement of finalists
од 1. септембра до 1. октобра 2024.6. Audience vote
3. октобар 2024.7. The winner announcement
Who is doing it?
The award is organized by the Alek Kavcic Foundation, which was founded in America in 2017. It started working in Serbia at the beginning of 2020, and its main goals are the promotion of education and science.
What do we do?
We find and affirm
With the help of the public, we find and affirm inspiring teachers employed in the education of state and private institutions, both in formal and informal education throughout the Republic of Serbia.
We help and illuminate
We help them enter the public space and, based on their teacher story, show the general public a possible path to changes in Serbian education.
We support and motivate
Through awards, we support them in their professional guidance and motivate them to further strengthen and expand their power of inspiration and motivation.
We share and inspire
By sharing their good teaching practice, we inspire other teachers.
We build and network
We create a unique learning community that provides a safe space for sharing and inspiration.
We raise awareness and shape
We are aware of the importance of the role of teachers in shaping the Serbian democratic society.
We create and initiate
We create opportunities for teachers to network and initiate changes in Serbian education.
How to apply for the Serbian Teacher Award Enlightener?
Do you know a great kindergarten, primary, secondary or high school teacher, or anyone who works directly with children and students? It doesn't matter if they work in the public or private sector! It is also irrelevant whether they are employed on an indefinite or fixed-term basis. It does not matter whether they work in formal or informal education. It doesn't matter if they work in classic, hybrid or online classes!
The only thing that matters is that the candidate for the award creates a change in education and possesses the power of inspiration and motivation!
Nominate them!
How are the applications of nominated and registered candidates evaluated?
Each candidate is evaluated on the basis of established criteria according to a precisely established methodology. The winners are chosen by an independent jury made up of people from different professions, parents, teachers, and public figures. After evaluating the received applications, the following competencies are evaluated separately:
- navigating the discussion,
- the art of public speaking and
- methodical approach in the implementation of workshop activities during the Summer Educational School. All semi-finalists will attend a three-day summer education school in August 2024.
All semi-finalists will attend a three-day summer education school in August 2024.