Top ten finalists for the 2026 National Teacher Award have been announced at the “Education Forum” organized by Sulakauri Publishing House.
The competition aims to recognize outstanding teachers who are driving positive change in education.
This year’s top ten are:
- Tsotne Gvajaia, computer technology teacher at Zugdidi Public School No. 5;
- Archil Todua, civic education and citizenship teacher at Zugdidi Public School No. 9;
- Mariam Kvachadze, Georgian language and literature teacher at Shuapkho Public School in Dusheti Municipality;
- David Malazonia, history teacher at the Academy of Modern Education;
- Magda Mikaberidze, primary school teacher at Tbilisi Public School No. 45;
- Ekaterine Chikovani, Georgian language and literature teacher at Tbilisi International School;
- Madona Tserediani, Georgian language and literature teacher at Latali Public School in Mestia Municipality;
- David Jandieri, citizenship, business and self and society teacher at Tbilisi Ilia Chavchavadze Public School No. 23, Mtsevri Independent Business School and Thinking Academy School;
- Irina Jvarsheishvili, civic education teacher at Gogita Kiknadze Tbilisi Public School No. 182;
- and Laura Jimsheleishvili, biology and natural science teacher at the Independent Secular Gymnasium “Shavnabada”.
Five finalists will be selected at the next stage of the competition on September 5, with one winner to be named on October 5 — World Teachers’ Day.
The winner will receive 15,000 GEL from the Gudavadze-Patarkatsishvili Foundation, the general sponsor of the award. Finalists will also be recognized by Bank of Georgia, the main supporter of the National Teacher Award.
A total of 121 teachers took part in this year’s selection process. The top ten were chosen by a jury made up of representatives from the education sector and wider society.
The National Teacher Award was established in Georgia on May 13, 2017 and is part of the global “Global Teacher Prize” initiative aimed at promoting the teaching profession.
