Dear Mr Danusēvičs, Dear Ms Ķestere, Dear Audience,
We live in a challenging world. There have never been as many people on Earth as we are today, nearly 8 billion, and so many global problems that need to be addressed locally. Therefore, we need active, knowledgeable, educated, and creative young people who will shape the future not only for Latvia but also for the world.
The role of the teacher is no longer limited to being a bundle of knowledge. Today, information and knowledge are available to young people all around. The teacher is like a lighthouse, which indicates the direction of life, work, relations with classmates, and relations with society. It is a great pleasure for me to welcome educators in the castle today, which are not often noticeable in everyday life. This work is daily work, and it is not public, so it is crucial that we also make public the work you do daily so that our society understands and appreciates the significance of the teaching work not only for the young people concerned but also for society as a whole. By supporting young people, helping pupils realise themselves, and be their best self.
I am personally grateful to you for the work you do every day. I hope your colleagues will be inspired by the best examples and we will have even more teachers loved by their pupil, who are creative, inspiring, and ensuring the success of their pupils in the future. Latvia needs teachers who can notice the talents, strengths, and capabilities of pupils. You are mentors, inspirers, and role models for young people.
We are aware that the gardener himself does not have to be a good flower. The gardener must be a good gardener. You are brilliant gardeners who create those beautiful flowers every day, sharpen our brightest young minds, and nurture future leaders. Today we can highlight your contribution and thank you. We celebrate the merits that form the fertile soil for youth. Your job is a mission for our country, a mission for our future, and for our growth.
I thank you for this contribution, and I urge you to continue to be as inspirational as ever, but I also call on the community to appreciate you and take action so that our educators can do their jobs as well as they can every day.
Thank you on behalf of the whole society and our country!
Winners of the Atis Kronvalds Award
Ms Tatjana Alika, Teacher of Mathematics, Economics, and Business at Daugavpils Russian Secondary School-Lyceum
Ms Diāna Siliņa, Teacher of Computing at Cēsis State Grammar School
Ms Inese Lagzda, Teacher of Mathematics at Riga State Grammar School No 1
Ms Vaira Strazda, Teacher of Biology at Āgenskalns State Grammar School
Winners of the Traveling Award “Big Owl 2019”
Traveling Award “Big Owl” in the big school group
1st place - Daugavpils Russian Secondary School-Lyceum
Traveling Award “Little Owl” in the big school group
2nd place - Riga Classical Grammar School
School rating “Big Owl” in the big school group
3rd place - Riga French Lyceum
4th place - Tukums Rainis Grammar School
5th place - Riga Secondary School No 10
Traveling Award “Big Owl” in the small school group
1st place - RTU Secondary School of Engineering
Traveling Award “Little Owl” in the small school group
2nd place - Rudzāti Secondary School
School rating “Big Owl” in the small school group
3rd place - Jaunsilava Primary School
4th place - Valdemārpils Secondary School
5th place - Riga Secondary School No 33
Traveling Award “Big Owl” in the group of State Grammar Schools
1st place - Riga State Grammar School No1
Traveling Award “Little Owl” in the group of State Grammar Schools
2nd place - Āgenskalns State Grammar School
School rating “Big Owl” in the group of State Grammar Schools
3rd place - Riga State Grammar School No 2
4th place - Cēsis State Grammar School
5th place - Rēzekne State Grammar School No 1
Winners of the Star Rating Award
1st place - Riga State Grammar School No 1
2nd place - RTU Secondary School of Engineering
3rd place - Olaine Secondary School No 1
Shared 4th and 5th place - Cēsis State Grammar School
Shared 4th and 5th place - Daugavpils Russian Secondary School-Lyceum
