St Petersburg University student wins in "Flagships of Education" competition
The results of the All-Russian professional competition "Flagships of Education: Students" have been announced, with more than 10,000 future teachers from 42 regions of the country participating in it. Among the four winners from St Petersburg was Ekaterina Nekrasova, who is enrolled in the Physical Education programme at St Petersburg University’s College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology.
The competition is held within the framework of the federal project "Social Elevators for Everyone", which falls under the umbrella of the national project "Education".
The teaching skill competition ‘Flagships of Education: Students’ is intended to develop and support promising students at institutions of higher education and vocational colleges who possess a high level of knowledge in their subject, key psychological and pedagogical competencies and supra-professional or soft skills. This year, nearly 27,000 students from 84 regions of Russia applied for it. The 175 most talented participants made it into the final round, and 35 of them emerged as winners.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could win in the finals. I remember that moment as if it were happening right now. When they were announcing the winners, I had this thought: ‘Oh, please, let them choose me!’ And right after that they called out my name. I was really on edge, but my friends were there for me. I’m really excited about this, and I’m going to try to live up to the title of a qualified teacher, and in the future I want to apply my competencies in the field of education.
Ekaterina Nekrasova, a student at St Petersburg University’s College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology
In the semi-finals, the contestants had to take part in case tournaments, project sprints and business games. The finalists were given a practical task to demonstrate their teaching skills by organising an instructional and formative event for children. Ms Nekrasova gave the children one lesson on the topic "Peoples of Russia", during which she told them about the significance of customs and cultural values, and another one on ballroom and folk dancing. She noted that the feedback from her young charges not only brought her a lot of positive emotions but also gave her an idea of how she will structure lessons for schoolchildren in the future.
Participation in the competition "Flagships of Education: Students" provides an opportunity for fledgling teachers to: touch base with kindred spirits from all over the country; exchange ideas; and explore issues connected with teaching. As a result, a community will be formed from among the finalists and semi-finalists, and its members will be given a chance to work with mentors, winners and experts of the competition "Flagships of Education: School".
The series of professional competitions "Flagships of Education" is conducted by the presidential platform "Russia is a Land of Opportunities" under the auspices of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. At its sites, it unites school directors, class teachers, subject teachers, students from institutions of higher education and vocational colleges, and also leading experts from the field of teaching.