Teachers from the Donetsk region triumphed at the 10th, anniversary awards ceremony for the country’s best teachers, the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2026. Educators from the Donetsk region won prestigious awards, demonstrating a high level of professionalism, dedication to their work, and resilience.
Tetyana Hlebova, a Ukrainian language and literature teacher from Mariupol who currently teaches at secondary schools in Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia, received three special awards: “Choice of the Heart,” “Teacher of Integrity,” and “Inclusivity.” Tetyana devoted twenty years to working at a Mariupol boarding school for children with special educational needs, and in March 2022, she was forced to flee the besieged city on foot with her son. Once in Zaporizhzhia, she continued teaching children, adjusting to her new circumstances while remaining loyal to the Donetsk region.
The winner in the “Chemistry Teacher” category was Olena Trubchanina, a teacher at a school in Pokrovsk. Having had a modern, well-equipped classroom in her hometown, she had to start her professional life over after being forced to relocate. Despite all the challenges, Ms. Olena continued to teach children in the Pokrovsk community, particularly those who are temporarily abroad but continue to pursue their education in Ukraine. She dedicated her victory to the resilient educational community of Donetsk Oblast.
The Global Teacher Prize Ukraine national award is organized annually by the “Osvitoria” public association with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Diya.Osvita, UNICEF, the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI), and a number of partner organizations and companies.
You can learn more about the winners’ stories by following these links:
* About Tetiana Hlebova: https://osvitoria.media/news/global-teacher-prize-ukraine-2026-spilno-z-uklon-vidznachyly-vchytelku-v-nominatsiyi-inklyuzyvnist/
* About Olena Trubchanina: https://osvitoria.media/news/global-teacher-prize-ukraine-2026-spilno-z-biopharma-vidznachyly-vchytelku-v-nominatsiyi-vchytel-himiyi/