Six stories of Kurgan teachers

In Russia today, 5 October, people celebrate Teacher’s Day. 45.RU decided to recall some of the brightest representatives of this profession in Kurgan Oblast — one left business for the classroom, another taught American Boy Scouts, a third discussed anime with students, a fourth won a million on a TV show and now does private tutoring. And a teacher from the Belozersky District is even into kettlebell sport!

Alina Kuznetsova

A resident of Tselinny District, Alina Kuznetsova quickly built her own business and moved to Tyumen. But with success came fatigue, burnout, and uncertainty about how to separate work from life, find time to rest, and start living calmly. Salvation for her was returning to her homeland (to the village of Kosolapovo) and working as a Russian language and literature teacher at her alma mater. 45.RU spoke with the young teacher about exhaustion from a frenetic pace, cozy (but imperfect) village life, and how to find common ground with today’s kids.

— «I thought it would be for a year, but I grew very fond of my students. I fell so much in love with my class that I decided to stay here so we could take the Unified State Exam (EGE) together,» Kuznetsova said.

Sofya Zolotukhina

Kurgan teacher Sofya Zolotukhina worked in a regular school, then co-founded with a friend a developmental center for preschoolers, and later found her calling in home education (and has been doing it for several years now).

— «Children should not be taught the way schools do. You do not need to “make them all the same,” you do not need to tell everyone: “Stand up, sit down, answer when I say so.” That approach caused inner conflict for me. Children are much more interesting if you give them more freedom. They will both surprise and delight you,» Sofya told 45.RU.

Many interesting things have happened with Zolotukhina: she made Martirosyan laugh and won a million on a TV show, then climbed to the summit of a volcano on Kamchatka. She also shared tips on how to do homework with a child and keep your sanity.

Vadim Maznyak

Many in Kurgan know this teacher: at different times in his life Vadim Yevgenyevich pursued planespotting and road trips across Trans-Urals, taught American Boy Scouts, listened to The Beatles with students in class, and gave them unusual assignments. A couple of years ago he left his position as a teacher of translation, translation studies, and English literature at Gymnasium No. 47, having worked there for 30 years.

— «I like it when I meet former students and they say the Hamlet soliloquy I made them learn in Middle English came in handy. That means a lot and is pleasant to hear. I have met our graduates in Dublin, London, and many Russian cities. Wherever you go — you find ours everywhere, except Antarctica! They live in New Zealand, Australia, Africa, America,» Vadim Maznyak recalled with a smile.

Yuri Dolgikh

A former history and social studies teacher at Gymnasium No. 19, Yuri Dolgikh competed for the title «Teacher of the Year Russia — 2022» and even reached the final of the contest, after which he was offered to head School No. 42 in Kurgan (which he did). He now serves as deputy director of the Department of Education and Science of Kurgan Oblast. The educator told 45.RU about his salary, how to pull students away from gadgets, and how to discuss anime and controversial bloggers with them.

— «The committed ones stay in schools. People come because they want to try what the job is like and leave if they do not like it. Those who stay are the ones for whom it really matters, who find it interesting. It is a particular sort of staff, where everyone is invested in their work, everyone is committed. You do not encounter such teams everywhere. These are professional, well-bred people with high values and ideals. That is worth holding on to; I value this in the work,» Dolgikh said in an interview with 45.RU.

Irina Kosheleva

Teacher Irina Kosheleva runs a school forestry club in Borovsk (Belozersky District, Kurgan Oblast) and teaches a foreign language. Children help the local forestry plant fir saplings, fence off anthills so wild animals do not tear them apart, and in winter make sure bird feeders are stocked. She told 45.RU what life is like in their village, what she had to do to work there, and what interests rural children.

— «I have always been involved in extracurricular activities, writing various scripts. We often won with the kids. It used to be at the village level, then at the district level, and the Internet gave us the opportunity to go nationwide. I live for my work. I have never had a grand goal. I simply like my job. I work with children. We love to hold events, campaigns, protected-area lessons, eco cleanups, come up with new projects, take part in contests, we love to travel. Together with the kids we are proud that we have been able to take part in planting trees in different corners of our country,» Irina Kosheleva admitted.

Larisa Lutoshkina

An athlete and a beauty, Larisa Lutoshkina works as a teacher in the village of Belozerskoye (Belozersky District). Her teaching experience spans 27 years. For the past five years she has been practicing kettlebell sport.

— «In 2020, when we were stuck in quarantine, it became unbearable at home. I came to the gym to work out. The kettlebell sport coach from our sports school suggested I try it. I liked it! The very training process draws you in. It develops strength endurance. My competition kettlebell weighs 16 kilograms (35.3 lb), and my training kettlebell is 20 (44.1 lb). I took third place at the oblast championship, and second at the rural sports games “Zolotoy kolos” and “Zauralskaya metelitsa” (rural sports games) in my weight category,» Lutoshkina told 45.RU.

She also shared details about running a sports club and the ways she instills a love of healthy living in students.