At the end of July, we celebrated the graduation of the fourth-year students in the “Teacher in My Community” project — a ceremony filled with pride, gratitude, and hope.
To date, “Teacher in My Community” has supported 96 participants from across the country. This year, we are proud of one of our most successful cohorts — 14 individuals who are now inspiring others as:
- preschool and special education teachers
- teaching assistants
- social and health mediators
- civic sector experts
A special highlight of the event was the brochure “Personal Stories of Hard-Earned Success” — a carefully prepared gift for all guests and participants, published especially for the occasion. It gathers personal, inspiring stories from program participants — people who, with perseverance, courage, and support, overcame numerous challenges on their way to graduation.
The brochure is not just a keepsake from the ceremony — it is a testament to the strength of human will and the impact of education in real life.
We thank everyone who shared this important moment with us. It was not only a celebration of graduation but also of community, change, and the teachers whose influence endures.
Embracing Diversity Training
The fourth-year students from the project also took part in the training “Together in a Colorful World.” The focus was on the importance of the mother tongue and identity, the challenges of learning a new language, and how teachers can create inclusive and supportive learning environments. Topics such as transformative reading and the use of photographs in pedagogy were also part of the program.
The training was marked by personal experience and reflection, becoming an event that strengthened participants’ awareness of the teacher’s role in diverse communities.
Annual Student Meeting – “Teacher in My Community”
Students from the first, second, and third years of the project gathered to exchange experiences, find inspiration, and discuss their future professional paths.
The topics included the role of the teacher as a role model, the importance of volunteering for personal and professional growth, and individual career development plans. The project team presented its vision for meaningful teaching, and students enriched it with their own stories and ideas — a reminder of the power of community and shared learning.
We thank the speakers and trainers who were with us during these exciting days: Ralitsa Popova and Miroslava Madzharova (Together in a Colorful World), Prof. Dr. Maria Baeva (Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”), Ivan Ivanov (Teachers Lab), and Spaska Petrova (New Way Association).