"The aim of the award is not only to honor teachers but also to build a community of teachers. The award is designed to bring together the most experienced teachers in Latvia to share their experience, inspire new teachers and be heard in the processes of education policy-making," says Mārīte Seile, Head of the Department of Study Innovations at the University of Latvia and the author of the award's idea.
All winners received a special glass award "Zinību spārni" (Wings of Knowledge) designed by artist Anda Munkevica and excellence scholarships of EUR 1000 each for the winners of the individual nominations, provided by the patron "Mikrotik". The teams received a cash prize of EUR 2000 each.
- The award in the nomination "Pre-school teacher" went to Mārīte Petrovska, a teacher at Salaspils Pre-school No. 1.
- The prize in the nomination "Primary School Teacher" was awarded to Ginta Pleša, a teacher at Riga Jugla Secondary School.
- Inese Ločmele from Ernsts Gliks Alūksne State Gymnasium received the award in the nomination "Science teacher (science, chemistry, physics, biology, geography)".
- Agrita Bartuševica from Cēsis State Gymnasium was awarded the prize for "Teacher of Mathematics".
- The "Technology Teacher of the Year" (design and technology, computing, engineering, programming, robotics) is Jānis Rudzītis from Liepāja Rietumkrasts Secondary School.
- In the nomination "Sports and Health Teacher" the award went to Līva Kraukle, a teacher at Madona State Gymnasium.
- Baiba Atmane, a teacher at Jelgava Spīdolas State Gymnasium, is the winner in the nomination "History teacher".
- In the nomination "Teacher of Latvian Language and Literature" the prize was awarded to Sandra Burve, teacher of Druva Secondary School.
- The "Foreign Language Teacher of the Year" award went to Francisco Nuñez Romero Olmo from Riga State German Gymnasium.
- The "Teacher of Cultural Awareness and Self-Expression in the Arts" (Visual Arts, Music, Theatre Arts)" award went to Zane Bēķe, a teacher at Ikšķile Secondary School.
- Anita Jozus, a teacher at Ventspils State Gymnasium No 1, received the "Social Studies Teacher" award.
- In the nomination "School Management Team of the Year" the award was given to Daugavpils Science Secondary School and was received by the school principal Vitālijs Azarevičs at the ceremony.
- In the nomination "School Support Team", the award was presented to Baldone Secondary School and was received by the headmistress Indra Šmite.
A total of 152 applications were received.
The award is organized by the University of Latvia and the LU Foundation in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Latvian Association of Local Governments and other state and local government institutions, professional associations of teachers, non-governmental organizations, sector experts, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and other award organizers.
