20 October, Minsk /Yulia Vanina - BELTA/. The Republican professional skills competition for pedagogical staff "Teacher of the Year" has commenced in Belarus, as reported to BELTA correspondent by Deputy Minister of Education Kazimir Farino. "The traditional pedagogical review of the best of the best is conducted not only with the aim of identifying talented educators but also to ensure that effective pedagogical technologies and best practices become accessible and implemented in most educational institutions of the country," said Kazimir Farino. One of the criteria for selecting candidates will be their readiness to assist in fostering students' social, ideological, and moral preparedness for social life and professional activities in contemporary conditions. The first stage of the competition, which will last until 25 December, will feature a talent showcase in educational institutions. The second stage – city and district competitions – will be held by 19 February 2011. The third stage – regional and Minsk city competitions – will take place by 30 April of the following year. The fourth stage includes two rounds – the final and the super-final. It is planned that the concluding stage of the competition will be held in September 2011. The winner will traditionally be awarded the "Crystal Crane". As noted by Kazimir Farino, teachers will face challenging trials at all stages – creative self-presentation, video lesson, questionnaire, testing to verify knowledge in pedagogy and psychology, open lessons in class with familiar and unfamiliar student groups, pedagogical councils, school board meetings, attestation commissions, methodological associations of creative teacher groups, and open lectures. They will also have to compete in a pedagogical brain-ring and defend educational projects. -0-

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