This year, the “Lae End” (“Recharge Yourself”) education program doubled the number of participating teachers, adding a chemistry track to the existing physics track. Teachers from eight different counties are taking part in the program’s third season, including Raimo Maasik, the physics teacher at Rakvere State Gymnasium, who was awarded the High School Teacher of the Year title in 2023.

From the nominated teachers, a jury selected 10 middle school physics teachers and 10 chemistry teachers to participate in the program. The jury included representatives from Enefit, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Estonian Physical Society, the Estonian Chemistry Teachers’ Association, and Videoõps, as well as a finalist from the science competition Rakett69.

Heidi Uustalu, head of education management and teacher policy at the Ministry of Education and Research, highlights that the analysis by the Estonian Qualifications Authority’s labor and skills forecasting system, OSKA, shows that the need for teacher replacements remains high, varying significantly by subject.

“We are particularly short of mathematics and science teachers—both subjects have a high replacement need due to age. To spark an interest in young people to study sciences, we need inspiring teachers who can relate what is learned to real life, encouraging students to ask questions, doubt, and experiment. To stimulate student interest, it’s important that teaching is also exciting for the teacher, and that’s what the “Recharge Yourself” program offers by connecting teachers with educational innovators to develop engaging learning materials and bring them to every school and student in Estonia. It’s wonderful that this year the program offers joint learning opportunities for both physics and chemistry teachers, and hopefully, next year it will be extended to mathematics teachers as well,” says Uustalu.

Merit Eier, a physics and chemistry teacher at Vändra Gymnasium who participated in the program last year, says that participating in the program helped her recharge as a teacher, and meetings with company leaders and visits to companies made her feel like an important link between students and their future employers.

“Many students choose their future field of study based on the learning experiences they have in middle school. Therefore, motivated and inspiring chemistry and physics teachers play a crucial role. The “Recharge Yourself” program is an excellent opportunity to appreciate and promote the teaching profession in the sciences. The program draws attention to the teaching profession, its challenges, and joys, and helps address the issue of new teacher recruitment. Companies have supported the appreciation of the teaching profession, and a positive image of teaching is something worth spreading because teaching is a valuable profession!” says Eier.

Participants in the “Lae End” education program include Enelin Olesk from Ilmatsalu School, Gretel Maidre from Toila Gymnasium, Maimu Torn-Kallion from Kohila Gymnasium, Kristo Markus Soika from Jakob Westholm Gymnasium, Peeter Jõeloo from Tartu Forselius School, Raimo Maasik from Rakvere Basic School and Rakvere State Gymnasium, Marili Uluots from Tartu Private School ProTERA, Ihor Verkhohliad from Freedom School, Maarika Vällik from Tabivere School, Merle-Kairit Toom from Rannu School, Elve Mäekivi from Lagedi School, Geidi Mitt from Fortress School, Martin Saar from Tallinn Secondary Science School and Gustav Adolf Gymnasium, Karoliina Tõnisson from Tallinn Järveotsa Gymnasium, Kädi Koppel from C. R. Jakobson’s Torma School, Larissa Žarkova from Narva Estonian School, Greta Varb (Pentsa) from Põlva School, Triinu Vohu from Kihnu School, Kati Kümnik from Kiltsi Manor School, and Anna Perova from Pelgulinna Gymnasium.

As part of the program, teachers can visit the companies that initiated “Lae End” to see practical examples of physics, chemistry, and engineering professions. In collaboration with the selected teachers and Videoõps, we will create educational videos covering the 7th grade science curriculum to support teachers in schools and students in independent learning. Participants will receive Practical kits for conducting hands-on lessons. At the end of the program, teachers will receive a financial reward equivalent to a 13th-month salary, 2,184 euros gross, which matches the average teacher salary for 2024.

Companies ABB, Enefit, Fermi Energia, LHV, Nordecon, and Metrosert, in cooperation with education sector leaders, created the “Lae End” program to make a modern learning experience accessible to all middle school students studying physics and chemistry across Estonia. Program partners include the Estonian Physical Society, the Estonian Chemistry Teachers’ Association, Practical, and Videoõps.

Read more about the “Lae End” program at www.laeend.ee.

Photos: Participants of the “Lae End” program 2023