A Gothenburg educator has received Sweden's highest teaching honor in a prestigious national ceremony. Violeta Temjanovska Ralevska from Vättleskolan in Angered was named Teacher of the Year during the recent Swedish Teachers Gala in Stockholm.
The emotional winner struggled to find words when accepting the award. "I teach Swedish, but I can't find the words," she said about her victory.
After the ceremony, she remained overwhelmed by the recognition. "The feeling is indescribable. I'm shocked and truly speechless," she stated in an interview.
When asked about her winning approach, Temjanovska Ralevska emphasized relationship-building with students. "I create strong connections with my students. I maintain high expectations and make demands while conveying that no dream is unreachable. It's about hard work - I believe success comes from 10 percent talent and 90 percent hard work."
The award presenter read nominations highlighting her exceptional teaching qualities. "She's a teacher who, with warmth and energy, gets even the most disruptive students to listen. She turned my class into a supportive family where we believed in ourselves," one nomination stated.
Temjanovska Ralevska described the moment she realized she'd won. "I thought 'that sounds like how my description started,' then I relaxed and understood I had won. I was deeply moved."
She has taught at Vättleskolan in Angered for 21 years and finds working in this challenging area particularly rewarding. "It's hard work, but the love you receive when a student succeeds doesn't exist anywhere else. It's tough, but the payoff is so much greater. That's why I've stayed at this school for 21 years, and I'll never leave the suburbs."
Former students offered glowing testimonials about her impact. "Violeta wasn't just a teacher to us - she was so much more. Throughout my entire education, from elementary school to university, I never encountered another teacher like her. Her empathy, generosity and engagement genuinely focused on everyone's best interests."
The testimonial continued, "If there was any lesson everyone always paid attention to, it was hers - even students who typically caused disruptions. She created a family atmosphere in the classroom where everyone supported each other. She planted seeds of strength in suburban children who might have chosen wrong paths. If anyone contributed to my motivation to study medicine today, it's definitely her I have to thank."
Temjanovska Ralevska expressed pride in putting Gothenburg on the educational map. She returns to teaching duties on Monday, though she doubts her students will share her surprise about the award. "When my principal told them I'd been named best teacher in Västra Götaland, they said they weren't surprised."
The award provides validation for her teaching methods. "For me, this becomes proof that I'm actually doing something right in my classroom. It's also wonderful that they organize a gala to highlight our profession. People often look down on us teachers, so this recognition is extremely important to show we actually make a difference."
This recognition highlights the critical role teachers play in Sweden's educational system, particularly in challenging suburban areas where dedicated educators can dramatically impact student outcomes. The award ceremony serves as an important reminder of teaching excellence amid ongoing debates about educational quality and teacher working conditions across Sweden.
Teaching in Sweden's suburban areas presents unique challenges and opportunities. Educators in these communities often work with diverse student populations facing various socioeconomic hurdles. Success stories like Temjanovska Ralevska's demonstrate how committed teachers can overcome these challenges through strong relationships and high expectations.
The Swedish education system continues to evolve, with ongoing discussions about resource allocation, teacher support, and educational outcomes. Recognition of exceptional educators provides valuable insights into effective teaching practices that could inform broader educational policy discussions.
What makes this award particularly noteworthy is its timing during ongoing teacher shortages and debates about educational quality. Highlighting teaching excellence helps counter negative narratives about the profession while showcasing what effective education looks like in practice.