Youth Day is not just a holiday, but also a day of looking to the future. One of the main forces shaping this vision is young teachers.
AzEdu.az spoke with educators who have won the "Young Teacher of the Year" competition in various years on the occasion of Youth Day.
The educators selected as "Young Teacher of the Year" congratulated young people on this significant day, wished them success, and emphasized the importance of confidently moving forward on the path of knowledge and personal development.
Tarana Nuriyeva, winner of the "Young Teacher of the Year" competition in 2024, congratulated young people as follows:
"As a young teacher, and also as someone who has walked this path step by step, I want to say: never underestimate yourselves. Your thoughts, questions, and ideas are valuable. Regardless of what molds society tries to fit you into, do not hesitate to discover your potential.
What is most expected from young people today is not to be “faultless”, but to be open to learning. Make mistakes, but don't stop. Success is not achieved overnight, but continuous effort certainly yields results. I have observed this many times in my personal experience.
Be friends with books, don't be afraid of technology, but never relegate human values to the background. Ignorant courage is dangerous, while knowledge without courage remains incomplete. The main thing is to keep these two in proper balance.
Remember that the future of this country depends on your way of thinking, your conscience, and your sense of responsibility. Believe in yourselves, set a goal to be useful to your country, and wherever you are, always bear the responsibility of being an Azerbaijani youth".
Rashad Humbatov, who was awarded the title of "Young Teacher of the Year" in 2023, stated that our youth are by no means afraid to develop themselves, constantly learn, and move forward:
"On the occasion of Youth Day, I sincerely congratulate all our young people – the builders and architects of the future.
Azerbaijani youth is perhaps a generation that has gone through the harshest trials and difficulties in history. That is precisely why they are resilient, determined, and strong-willed. This youth, who have achieved countless victories and written history with successes, discoveries, and inventions, I believe, deserves the greatest applause.
Even today, we have young people who have great aspirations, are not afraid of change and development, and build their future with their own hard work. As teachers, since we work more with the younger generation, we are daily living witnesses to this determination and effort.
Today's Azerbaijani youth are by no means afraid to develop themselves, constantly learn, and move forward. They strive for high goals and noble ideals, not content with minor successes. Wherever they are in the world, the signature of Azerbaijani youth is visible – our successes continue in science, sports, and military fields. I believe that our youth will continue to make valuable contributions to the development of Azerbaijan and the progress of our nation.
Finally, I want to tell my young friends who are reading this: there is nothing in life that you cannot achieve. Don't be afraid to learn, move forward, and take risks. For me, the most uncharacteristic phrase is “I can't.” This expression leads a person to surrender and defeat. Stay away from habits that distance you from your aspirations and detach you from your dreams. Do not sacrifice your life to negative passions. Be a fighter!".
Orkhan Ahmadov, selected as "Young Teacher of the Year" in 2022, conveyed his best wishes to young people:
"February 2nd is not just a date on the calendar. This day is the name of the country's future – it is Youth Day.
As both the “Young Teacher of the Year” and the winner of the Republican Victory Olympiad among teachers, I sincerely congratulate all young people. As a history teacher, being awarded first place in the “Young Teacher of the Year” project is a great source of pride for me, and at the same time, a great responsibility.
History clearly teaches us that the future of every nation depends on the knowledge, way of thinking, and adherence to moral values of its youth. Today's youth must not only be educated but also patriotic, responsible, and purposeful.
The first and most important idea I want to convey to young people is this: you are not just the power of tomorrow, but of today. Don't wait for society to change – build it with your own steps. Each of you has an area where you can make an impact, people you can change, and values you can create.
Don't just memorize the past – understand it, analyze it, and draw conclusions. History is not a collection of events, but a school for making correct decisions.
Remember that success is not a coincidence. Success is reading a little more every day, working a little harder, and continuing even when you are tired, not stopping. Do not be deceived by the “easy achievements” presented on social networks and screens. True advancement is the result of silent effort, discipline, and patience.
You will get tired, sometimes you will be misunderstood, and even when you work with the best intentions, you will be criticized the most. But know that darkness thickens most just before dawn. Don't stop. Because if you stop, the future will also fall back a step.
Remember, this Homeland was given to you not just to live, but to leave a mark. Leave such a mark that years later, when your name is mentioned, people will say “they succeeded.” Loving the Homeland is proven not only by words, but by knowledge, deeds, and a correct stance. Read, learn, create. Because knowledge will elevate you, conscience will sustain you, and love will make you human.
You are not the tomorrow of this country, but its today. The expected miracle will not come from outside – that miracle is in your own hands. Being young is not just a matter of age. Being young is to burn, to seek, to rise again when you fall; sometimes it is the courage to speak when everyone is silent, to take one more step forward where everyone else stops".
Elvin Salimov, "Young Teacher of the Year" in 2021, noted that young teachers are both role models for students and the key to the future:
"On the occasion of February 2nd - Youth Day, I first congratulate all young people, including young teachers. The teaching profession is not only about imparting knowledge but also about enhancing students' critical thinking skills, sense of responsibility, and personal qualities.
I can advise young teachers to be energetic, to develop ICT skills in students, and to be innovative. The future belongs to the students we educate. Students usually look up to young teachers as role models. Therefore, as young teachers, we bear a double responsibility when working with students".
As the team of AzEdu Education Portal, we congratulate all young people and those who feel young, and wish them success!
