Following the results of 2020, Vitebsk Gymnasium No. 2 was recognized as the best in Belarus
The results of the work are impressive – the gymnasium students collect dozens of diplomas at Olympiads of various levels, and among the graduates are those who scored 100 points in centralized testing. In terms of numbers, the award collection includes 4 winners of international Olympiads in mathematics and programming, 5 winners of republican Olympiads in academic subjects among 11th graders, and 51 diplomas in 13 subjects at the regional stage. This is a vivid example that students of Gymnasium No. 2 can achieve excellent results in absolutely any field of activity.
Furthermore, in 2020, the students became champions of Belarus in intellectual games, and five individuals won the republican competition of research papers. Gymnasium students led in republican creative and sports competitions. In total, over the past year, the gymnasium has earned 528 diplomas of various levels.
– When I came here to work 12 years ago, I told the staff that we would definitely become the best in the republic, but many did not believe me: they thought, well, he's a young (I was 28 at the time) leader, starting to fantasize, – noted the director of Gymnasium No. 2, Konstantin Kiselev. – Moreover, at that stage, our educational institution was in the bottom ten in the region, and not even in the top hundred nationwide. Naturally, the teachers thought these were utopian ideas.
Over these years, the strategy and concept of the educational institution have completely changed. For example, the gymnasium has shifted from a purely linguistic focus to a multidisciplinary approach in education across 4 areas: economic (mathematics and English at an advanced level), information technology (mathematics, computer science, and English), legal (English, Belarusian history, and social studies), and philological (English and Russian). Starting from the new academic year, a medical track (English, chemistry, and biology) and an engineering and technical track (English, mathematics, and physics) will be introduced.
Incidentally, the gymnasium offers instruction in 7 foreign languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, German, French, as well as Polish and Swedish language electives.
To the logical question about the secret to success, the principal replies: the teachers, who dedicate themselves entirely to their profession, inspire a love for the subject in the young Vitebsk residents. Without false modesty, she notes that the gymnasium boasts the best teaching in the region for mathematics, programming, foreign languages, geography, history, social studies, and much more. Therefore, the demand for education at Gymnasium No. 2 grows year after year.
Seeing the child, their abilities, motivation, and self-improvement – this is the pedagogical approach, which is partly justified. Last year, the gymnasium had 25 students who, by March, were already enrolled in leading universities in the country. Incidentally, the enrollment rate of the institution's graduates in universities was 99%.
– With proper self-effort and by meeting all the teachers' requirements, students successfully gain admission to higher education institutions, – summarizes Konstantin Kiselev. – Our task is to ensure that every graduate consciously becomes a student of a particular university, which is why we incorporate elements of career orientation in the senior grades.
In primary school, it is important to identify students' potential. To achieve this, the gymnasium holds intellectual marathons, "I am the Best" competitions (in various fields), and much more. For students in grades 3-5 in Vitebsk, the "Talent Preparation Laboratory" operates free of charge. Here, classes in mathematics, foreign languages, and programming are conducted, sparking the child's interest in academic subjects.
– I personally enjoy working with children, developing them, it's my hobby, if you will, I live for it, – notes Konstantin Leonidovich. – I always try, objectively assessing a child's abilities, to direct them to the right teacher. And I simply meet with the children throughout the year in my office. We talk, discuss, and analyze successes and shortcomings. Such children are often anxious, so I try my best to instill in them a positive worldview, a philosophical understanding of reality, and a desire to do something for the benefit of people. This is daily painstaking work. It is important for them that their desires and problems are heard. I, in turn, try my best to either solve their problems or show that the problem does not actually exist.
Konstantin Leonidovich proudly says that many, after graduating from the gymnasium, come to him and share their successes. Among the graduates of 2020, he highlights Nikolai Yudin (winner of the international mathematics Olympiad) and Andrey Daletsky (winner of the international programming Olympiad).
– Initially, it was difficult to call the guys geniuses, but they overcame difficulties and gradually moved towards their goals, and in the end, the young men achieved the highest results, – emphasizes the director. – Their focus on hard work was impressive. I like to repeat one truth to all my students: "The purpose of a person's life is to find and fully realize their destiny on earth." If they find something that aligns with their abilities, everything will definitely work out.