Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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They immerse students in the profession, implement their own pedagogical approaches, explore future technologies, and adapt the curriculum to industry trends. Teachers at Moscow colleges are developing highly qualified specialists. In March, the results of the Moscow stage of the all-Russian competition for secondary vocational education teachers were announced. Master of the Year 2026.
We discuss what teachers value instilling in students beyond basic knowledge and skills, why they constantly engage in self-improvement, and how city colleges have changed in recent years.
According to the precepts of the father of pedagogy
The all-Russian "Master of the Year" competition recognizes the best college teachers. It is initially held at the regional level: candidates submit video presentations of their teaching approach and a video recording of a lesson. A jury selects finalists in eight categories and invites them to the second stage—an in-person lesson with a focus group and a committee. This year, 140 vocational training masters and teachers from 45 Moscow colleges competed for the title.
The overall winner of the Moscow stage was Anastasia Maksimova. She teaches Russian language and literature, as well as speech culture and professional communication inMoscow Pedagogical CollegeAnastasia Maksimova will represent the capital in the finals, which will take place in Novy Urengoy this fall. She also won the citywide competitions "Moscow Teacher of the Year" and "Master of Industrial Training." Her teaching method is characterized by a creative approach.
"I try to engage everyone. Students often struggle with classic works, their style, historical context, and the characters' experiences. I talk about different eras, drawing parallels with modern times. I show that the problems in the novel are timeless, but they've simply changed form in the 21st century. I improvise and come up with interesting tasks. For example, I suggest going for a walk around Moscow, taking a photo in front of a monument to a writer, or a place mentioned in the book. This allows students to immerse themselves in the world of the novel and discover little-known corners of the city. This was my second time participating in the "Master of the Year" competition. I finally won. For me, it was a step out of my comfort zone, as I had to demonstrate my approach not in my own classroom, but in front of a committee. But I constantly recalled the quote from the father of pedagogy, Jan Amos Komensky: 'No one becomes a master without practicing mastery,'" she said.
According to the teacher, representing Moscow at the national level is an honor. "The competition allows you to prove yourself and share your experience with colleagues, enhancing the prestige of your profession. After all, it's the teacher who helps students find their niche in their chosen field. As someone who trains future teachers, it's important for me to instill in them a love for their work and a caring attitude toward their students. Today, the program at Moscow colleges is focused on practical training. From their first year, our students complete internships in kindergartens and schools. This way, they understand their responsibility to their students and acquire their first management skills," noted Anastasia Maksimova.
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Immerse yourself in the profession while studying
Eduard Metelkin, teacher Technological College No. 21, also participated in the "Master of the Year" competition more than once. This year, he won the award for creativity and design. Eduard Metelkin has a personal connection to his college: his father once studied there.
"After graduating as a graphic designer, I began teaching design and project graphics at college. In my corporate identity classes, I explain why, when creating a logo, it's important not only to draw an aesthetically pleasing image but also to imbue it with meaning and reflect the organization's values. In our classes, we work on real-life assignments from partners. This kind of hands-on experience gives the students their first experience and work to add to their portfolios," the teacher emphasized.
For him, his new status is the result of long and hard work. "I explain to the guys too: to achieve results, you have to work hard. It's gratifying that attitudes toward vocational education are changing. Modern workshops meet students' expectations; they offer all the necessary knowledge and skills. And of course, at colleges, students are met by qualified teachers who love their profession and share their methods with each other. Skills competitions, for example, allow them to develop and strive for greater things," the mos.ru source added.
Keeping up with industry trends
Like Eduard Metelkin, Maxim Prokhorov is a teacher Moscow Transport College— followed in his family's footsteps. His uncle was a railroad worker, his mother a teacher. He trained as a rail transport worker and now trains track fitters himself.
"This is a highly sought-after profession—the Moscow metro alone has over 560 kilometers of track. All of this requires maintenance and repair. Students today are less attentive, and monotonous reading won't engage them. I make my classes interactive, using 3D models of railway components. Students also gain practical experience at the metro's depot, where they assemble and disassemble contact rails and study the design, inspection technology, and fault detection of switches. In my opinion, teachers must constantly develop; they can't stop at what they learned at university. If we fall behind, so will our students. Our field is transforming: driverless trains and high-speed highways are emerging, and artificial intelligence is being implemented. We explore all of this in class, because one day we will have the opportunity to work with the transport of the future," explained Maxim Prokhorov.
At the "Master of the Year" competition, the teacher won the best award in the field of transport and logistics. "The competition was a challenge for me, and I'm very pleased with the result. It gave me not only recognition but also the understanding that I'm on the right path. It also inspired me to achieve new goals," admitted Maxim Prokhorov.
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Teacher and developer in one person
Anna Starkova graduated College of Modern Technologies named after Hero of the Soviet Union M.F. Panov, and now teaches there. Her specialty is information security.
"I teach classes on network administration, operating secure automated systems, and the fundamentals of information security. After graduating, I worked in my field, but then I realized I wanted to share my experience and show the profession from the inside. I developed a platform with assignments tied to professional standards, meaning students solve problems they'll encounter in the workplace. I also created a library of original mini-games on cryptography, network attacks, and neural networks. As threats become more advanced every day, we analyze them, respond quickly, and strive to stay several steps ahead of the attackers," said Anna Starkova.
"Master of the Year" was her first professional competition. She won the award in the field of information and communications technology. "The committee provided feedback that helped me understand my weaknesses and how to improve them. It's great that, despite my limited teaching experience—about a year—I've already made it to the finals. Now I want to try my hand at other competitions," Anna Starkova shared.
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