The title of Teacher of the Year 2023 was awarded to Jožica Frigelj, M.Sc., from Kette and Murn Primary School, Ljubljana. Ms. Frigelj is an old-school teacher, who applies innovative approaches in her teaching and underscores genuine contact with children. She describes herself not as a teacher of subjects, but rather a creator of the educational process and a motivator of pupils in acquiring new knowledge. In her long-standing teaching career she has employed countless innovative, creative, children-friendly educational practices, which she has presented at professional conferences, in professional journals and magazines, and at public forums of the “What kind of school do we want?” initiative, which she co-founded. Years ago, a manifesto was written as part of the initiative, which is sent to every minister. Among all these well-intended practices she points out a different assessment paradigm, which she developed in the scope of the project of introducing the European Language Portfolio into foreign language classes and called it collaborative assessment. Her extensive teaching experience, continuous professional training and commitment to children’s well-being as well as her effort and perseverance have already been rewarded by the profession, as in 2020 she received a lifetime achievement award in the field of primary education. Upon being awarded the title of Teacher of the Year 2023, Ms. Frigelj said that she would continue to work for children and inclusion, because she believes that all children deserve attention and opportunity and everyone can succeed. Above all, she wants to raise the reputation of the teaching profession through good practices. “Job satisfaction is the basis for a happy life. The current shortage in the labor market must not be resolved by underqualified personnel.”
