Nino Niparishvili, teacher at Kaspi Elementary School

The Kaspi Multi-Profile Elementary School has succeeded in many competitions, exchange programs, various contests during 21 years. However, since 2014, as soon as the school became involved in the Momavlis Taoba Program, civics teachers and students report that many things have changed.

Nino Niparishvili has worked at the Elementary School since 2007. She is now the civic education teacher and loves her profession and relationship with the children. She told us:

“I started participating in the Momavlis Taoba Program in December 2014. I remember the First Bell, when we were invited to the program presentation. I knew the program in advance, but the things I saw and heard exceeded my expectations. After the presentation finished, I called my father Besik Niparishvili, who was acting as school principal of the same school and I told him, “that is the thing I was looking for!

At the meeting, I became acquainted with the successful teachers of Applied Civic Education and Teacher Training Program and I saw their enthusiasm for the program. I listened and thought that was real and there was a chance for me to develop professionally and become successful. That meeting was a great incentive. That was truly cordial day and allowed us to proceed with the further joint activities.

February was really fruitful for developing my professional skills. I attended the four-day training ‘Teaching Democratic Citizenship,’ where I learned many things including new methods and novelties of teaching the subject. What was the most important I got acquainted with my colleagues. During the training I exerted all my efforts to participate in all activities. The time passed quickly and at the end, no one wanted to go home! Later, I decided to use the knowledge gained at the training in practice.   

From the beginning of the Momavlis Taoba Program, 8 classroom projects were initiated and implemented by Kaspi students. I would like to underline the last project ‘Healthy Life in Clean Environment’, implemented in May. Within the project an interesting competition -‘Together for Protection of Nature’- was organized between the Kaspi schools. The flesh mob was held in the center of the town, and the Culture Center hosted the exhibition of paintings and the award ceremony of the best authors. The students held presentations on the promotion of healthy lifestyles and issues of ecological care. The Culture House staged the performance ‘Judging of Oxygen’ that was followed by the concert. The project was supported by the representatives of Kaspi Local Municipality, Kaspi Sport and Cultural Departments, education resource centers and schools; Kaspi Municipality Governor Mr. Gocha Gochitashvili;  Kaspi Majoritarian MP Mr. Sandro Gzirishvili.

With great feelings of success, the 10th grade students of Kaspi elementary school won the regional debate tournament. That was another incentive to me, their teacher. These students actively participate in trainings, competitions, meetings and educational visits. Under their initiative they participated in the basketball championship between the Kaspi schools.  

After the activities implemented within the program, from my point of view, the students learned cooperation with representatives of the local municipality and were involved in solving community problems. They ascertained the civil responsibilities and learned working on the project, distribution of functions and teamwork. They established relations with students from other program partner schools. Most importantly, they understood that the civic involvement is important in the process of building the state.

Finally, I would like to note sincerely that April 27th was the most important day in my professional life. I gave the open lesson on the topic ‘Problems of Society and Attitude to Problems.’ The open lesson was attended by Ms. Lela Tsurtsumia, the Coordinator of Civics Teachers Forum in Shida Kartli; representatives of Society Biliki; and 18 teachers from MT program partner schools.  

That was my first open lesson since becoming a civics teacher. I faced great responsibility and found great happiness. I am grateful to all those who supported me in my work and let me find what I was looking for. The program allowed me to be acquainted with many interesting people. Thank you for the minutes of happiness, for increasing my motivation, and making the students’ school life more active and cheerful.”