Tamar Kvinikadze - Teacher of Georgian as a second language
Teaching at school was Tamar Kvinikadze's childhood dream. Currently, she teaches Georgian to the students at the public school in the village of Kartsakhi, Akhalkalaki Municipality.
"I have been dreaming of teaching since childhood, to which my extraordinary teachers pushed me from Khashuri 25th Secondary School (currently the 9th public school). After graduating from school, when I entered the Faculty of Philology at the Tskhinvali Pedagogical Institute, I started working as a teacher of Georgian language and literature in the second year, in 1990, at the public school in the village of Khtsisi in Khashuri.
I decided to participate in the "Georgian Language for Future Success" program in 2015. I love novelties and challenges. Not only did I want to test myself, but also to prove that I needed to be right here and now, at 1850 meters above sea level.
I was very scared in the depths of my first meeting and first impression at Kartsakhi Public School, however, as soon as I entered the school, the feeling of alienation completely disappeared and the friendly environment I encountered still lingers to this day.
Like my colleagues, naturally, I also wanted to integrate into the ethnic minority community, so I made it my priority to make friends with the public schools in the village of Kartsakhi, Akhalkalaki Municipality.
The meeting between the schools took place first in the village of Kartsakhi, and later this year in the village of Khtsisi. At the meeting we worked out a lot of plans to continue the friendship between the two schools - Georgian and non-Georgian schools. We also planned events, but the pandemic prevented us from strengthening this relationship through various exciting events. I think everything is still ahead.
Tamar Kvinikadze became a certified teacher of Georgian language and literature in 2011 after the introduction of certification exams. In 2012, she passed the Georgian language and literature exam for grades I-VI. In 2020, she became a leading teacher, which she undoubtedly considers to be the merit of the program and her colleagues.
"I cannot fail to mention the support of our program leadership, the constant recognition of our achievements, success, assistance when needed. We often meet each other to discuss different issues. We also look for ways to solve problems together and share success together. I am really surrounded by interesting and successful people, which I am really proud of” - said the teacher.
It is important that teachers assist non-Georgian colleagues in their professional development within the framework of the “Professional Support Program for Non-Georgian Language Teachers”.
Tamar Kvinikadze has success in this regard as well. With his support, senior teacher status has already been granted to several teachers who are striving for professional development over and over again. He runs a state language course at the school, where more and more teachers are enrolled each year - non-Georgian colleagues want to study the state language thoroughly. Tamar is happy that they have a good result.
The teacher feels happy that his students donate to Georgian universities every year:
"They return from there proud, self-confident, grateful. Believe me, I left these citizens in Georgia. My goal is to keep the country as young as possible here in Georgia. I am glad that some return to the village, some stay in Tbilisi. Most importantly, stay here and there are examples for many. "Despite all this, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that ethnic minorities learn the state language."
The teacher recalls that the distance learning process was difficult at first, however if you love the case, you love the people you are around and nothing is irresistible.
