50 thousand dollars was not my monthly salary, it was a one-time prize money awarded for winning the "Teacher of the Year" competition...

50 thousand dollars — this is not my monthly salary, but a one-time reward given for winning the "Teacher of the Year" competition...

Teaching means influencing a person's life and being the reason for decisions that affect their future. Especially for an educator who has been performing this profession wholeheartedly in a remote area for years, carrying both scientific research and family responsibility on their shoulders, behind any form of recognition lies great work and responsibility.

Nigora Allambergenova, an educator from Karakalpakstan and Doctor of Philosophy in Philological Sciences, is one of such teachers. In her professional activity, school, science, and the lives of her students are inseparable from each other. While teaching is a value inherited from her family, scientific research has enriched her worldview, and the achievements of her students have become the greatest reward of her work. Especially, winning the "Teacher of the Year" competition became one of the important events in her life...

Nigora opa, today our people know you well as the "Teacher of the Year" and the winner of the 616 million soum prize. But if we put these titles aside, with what other achievements and contributions to the field of education would you introduce yourself?

— First of all, I would introduce myself as an ordinary school teacher, a Doctor of Philosophy in Philological Sciences working at a school in the Qonliko‘l district, an educator who loves her profession, and a researcher who never stops scientific inquiry. The title of "Teacher of the Year" is a great honor for me, but my greatest achievement is the result of my students.

Why did you choose to become a teacher in particular, and who was the reason for you choosing this field and reaching this level?

— I grew up in a teaching environment since childhood. My parents, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and aunts were also Uzbek language teachers. My father, Qurbaneyazov Gulmurza, is a professor at the NSPU named after Ajiniyoz, Doctor of Sciences. My mother, Sobirova Hakima, is an Uzbek language teacher at School No. 38 in the city of Nukus. My sister, Allambergenova Nodira, is also a Doctor of Philosophy in Philological Sciences, associate professor. My great-grandfather on my mother's side taught the children of the khan in a madrasah in Khiva. Therefore, this profession is treated with special respect in our family.

I grew up in a scientific environment from a very young age. I knew all the letters when I was six years old. In 1997, my father became a candidate of sciences. Before that, he wrote his scientific work on a typewriter. And I would sit next to him and read the marked places from the book. Otherwise, looking at both the book and the typewriter at the same time took a lot of time.

At the age of 13, we got our first computer. My father wrote his doctoral thesis by hand, and I copied it on the computer. That is how I entered science. Even at the institute, I could reason on an equal footing with my teachers, although I did not have a scientific degree yet.

If today's Nigora Allambergenova met the Nigora of her school years, what would she say to her first of all?

— I would say, "You are going the right way, just do not stop." Because if a person walks their path with confidence, there will definitely be a result. Perhaps at that time, I could not even imagine my present days. But I would not have stopped dreaming and striving.

4. What do you think is the difference between working in Qonliko‘l and teaching in the city? What is the difficult and unique aspect of being an educator in this region that you haven't mentioned, which only you know?

— In the village, a teacher is known not only by their student, but also by their parents and the neighborhood. Therefore, with your every action, you become an example for both the student and society. Teachers are highly valued in the village. There is an opportunity to establish a sincere relationship with students. However, in order to give students knowledge equal to that of children in the city, the opportunities require even more research from the teacher.

Has there ever been an event that made you seriously think about leaving your job or choosing another profession?

— There has been no period when I seriously thought about leaving my profession. Of course, there are difficulties in every profession. But even a single good word or a small achievement of a student gives a person strength again. Sometimes students come and ask, "May I talk to you as a friend?" Listening to them, I rejoice that they feel close to me. If any student can see you as their ideal person, they will follow you.

What is the biggest problem for a teacher working in a remote area — salary, conditions, personnel, students' opportunities, or something else?

— In my opinion, it is difficult to single out one problem. Conditions, personnel, student opportunities — all of these are interconnected. But the most important thing is to keep a good specialist in the region. Because most educated and good personnel always strive for the center.

Do you have a student who made you feel, "if this child's life has changed, my work has not been in vain"? Which of their words was the most touching for you?

— They told me: "My daughter, Sirojiddin Sayyid has not written a poem about any other teacher Nigora. You have remained in the memory of our head of state. This is the greatest honor for a teacher."

If you did not have today's award, the dialogue with the President, the "Teacher of the Year" title, and your current high salary, what would motivate you to go to school again tomorrow?

— My beloved school and my students, which have become the meaning of my life. If I don't go for one day, I miss them.

Is a good salary more important for a teacher, or respect in society?

— Respect and attention are important.

Has teaching today's children become more difficult, or have the subjects become harder than before? Or maybe we, adults, are not trying to understand today's Zoomers?

— If you do not know what children know, which subject they want to learn, and which topic they are interested in, you cannot be a good teacher. Only if you can feel them with your heart will they respect you.

If a student's grade is low, do you blame the child first, or do you think, "I need to explain the knowledge to this child in a different way"?

— First of all, I blame myself. I think, "Why is he not mastering it?". In my next lesson, I pay more attention to that student.

Today, it seems that state schools do not teach as they used to, and people who have money try to send their children to private schools as much as possible. Are teachers to blame for this, or is it because of low salaries?

— Such an opinion has formed in society. In fact, we still have dedicated colleagues. There are those whose students come to school in the afternoon, participate in clubs, and even work additionally to get various certificates. But parents in many cases prefer a tutor.

Do you teach students only in your subject, or do you also consider preparing them for life as your duty?

— I believe that we should teach not only the subject, but also life. I try to teach students honesty, integrity, valuing friendship, working hard, and respecting people. Because school is not only a place that provides knowledge, but an environment where a person's personality is formed.

Has there been a difficult period in your life that no one knows about, but which made you the Nigora you are today?

— I lost one of my children in an accident in my life. It is difficult to express this pain in words. But the biggest lesson I learned from this event is that there is no blessing more precious than a child. Therefore, I look at each of my students as someone's dearly beloved child. You must treat them in such a way that tomorrow you will not regret what you did.

What is the biggest fear for you — failure, or not being able to be worthy of success after achieving it?

— Being worthy of success is the hardest part.

Today, thousands of teachers look at you with envy. What is your word to them?

— See each of your students as your own child. Try to see their potential and do not hesitate to give them all the knowledge you have. Always read, learn, and follow the innovations in your subject. Most importantly, love your profession!

With which of your words would you like to remain in the memory of your students one day?

— I would like them to remember me only with good memories.

Today you were awarded the title of "Teacher of the Year". But what is the greatest title not yet received or the greatest goal not yet achieved for yourself?

— To become a "People's Teacher"!

Another big goal of mine is to make my students winners in the republican stage of the main olympiad. Because the success of students is the greatest achievement of a teacher!