Announced in July 2021, the EWB Innovate English Teacher of the Year 2021 Award was aimed at recognizing the hard work and dedication of outstanding English teachers of all levels.

Muyassar Muzofirov: “The Innovative English Teacher of the Year Award I was honored with at the EWB National Conference and Expo 2021 has made me even more proud of my profession and the work I do for my community. The recognition I received for the job I enjoy doing most of all, I believe, motivates and empowers not only me but thousands of other outstanding English teachers in Tajikistan.

When I read the announcement on the Innovative English Teacher of the Year Award on the EWB Facebook page, I was really happy that we, English teachers, were given such a great opportunity to participate and test our knowledge, skills, and experience in teaching English.

It was a big challenge for me to compete with the strongest English teachers from all parts of Tajikistan, but I said to myself that either I win or fail, it will be an experience that will further guide me in my professional pathway.

The day I received the email and phone call from EWB congratulating me for becoming the winner, and the day I went up the stage to get the certificate for the Innovative English Teacher of the Year Award will remain one of the best moments and memories in my life. I value this award, which means a lot to me and which I believe has laid a strong foundation for my future career goals and professional achievements.

Thanks to projects like EWB that support teachers in their careers and provide different platforms for teachers to meet and share their knowledge and experience.

The first EWB National Conference and Expo 2021 was indeed a great event in the life of English teachers in Tajikistan that gathered English teachers from Khatlon, GBAO, Sughd, and Districts of Republican Subordination. The conference enabled us to meet with our colleagues from all over Tajikistan, learn about and from each other, make new friends, discuss the challenges and opportunities in teaching English, exchange ideas, participate in different sessions, and many other activities provided in the conference.

I really appreciate the opportunity to have delivered a Master-class on Teaching English through Music and shared my teaching experience with my colleagues during the conference. The excitement and engagement I observed in my session and the feedback I received from the participants boosted my confidence and inspired me to create new activities.

One of the biggest takeaways and the messages I got from the conference was that individual growth and achievement cannot contribute to the quality system as a whole unless we share resources, materials, expertise, ideas, and help to build the teaching capacity together as one community. The EWB conference truly provided such an atmosphere where the teachers could feel the importance of networking and the benefits of sharing knowledge.

On behalf of me and my school, I would like to thank the EWB network for such great opportunities and support we, English teachers, are getting through various activities, contests, conferences, small grants, and many more. I wish EWB continued success, and I am very optimistic that this project will grow into a strong and big networking hub which will attract not only English teachers from Tajikistan but from around the globe”.

The Award will be an annual event held by the EWB Network and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan. More information about Award and eligibility criteria are available at https://ewbn.org/teacher-of-the-year-award-eligibility/