While in the beginning of September Russia celebrates the Day of Knowledge, a festivity mostly for students, in the beginning of October the country celebrates Teacher's Day. // Staroutkinsk, Sverlovsk region, 1113 miles from Moscow
Sergey PoteryaevToday we will tell the story of the typical rural Russian language teacher, Nina Ivanovna Ivanova.
Sergey PoteryaevIn the Soviet Union Teacher's Day was commemorated on October 1. In 1994 UNESCO established the World Teacher's Day, celebrated on October 5 and Russia also moved the holiday to that date.
Sergey PoteryaevStaroutkinsk is a small settlement 75 miles from Yekaterinburg. It was founded in 1729 during the industrialization of the Urals.
Sergey PoteryaevNina Ivanovna has been working at the local school for a long time, while her entire career spans 46 years.
Sergey PoteryaevA teacher is not only a person who teaches the sciences; he or she is also a bearer of spirituality and moral virtues. Teachers carry out a special civic duty: the education of the young generation.
Sergey PoteryaevThe economy of this region is connected with metallurgy and metalworking. Currently, there are slightly over 3,000 residents in this settlement.
Sergey PoteryaevThere is only one school in the settlement, School №13.
Sergey PoteryaevBetween 1986 and 1991 Nina Ivanovna taught Russian in East Germany to children of military personnel.
Sergey PoteryaevNina Ivanovna admitted that, although she lived well in East Germany, she really wanted to return to her motherland. And she did return after a certain period.
Sergey PoteryaevThe wall that serves as a background for her portrait marvelously reflects the values of the rural teacher: Russian nature and photographs of her daughter and grandchildren.
Sergey PoteryaevBesides photographs of her grandchildren, her house is also full of icons.
Sergey Poteryaev"Feeling guilty for not paying my daughter the necessary attention, I promised to do my best for my grandchildren, to help them any way I can," says Nina Ivanovna.
Sergey Poteryaev"I also care very much for my students. I can't do otherwise."
Sergey Poteryaev"Entering the school, all my problems disappear and I fully dedicate myself to my work. Sometimes I worry too much about what will happen to my students."
Sergey PoteryaevSubscribe
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