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Maria Zinovyeva: ‘Primary School Teachers – Wonder Workers’

The head of the Department of Pedagogy of Childhood on the basis of the MOU "Gymnasium No. 7", associate professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences M.P. Zinovieva shared the history of her pedagogical dynasty. Maria Pavlovna chose the profession of a teacher for one reason – before her eyes was a worthy example of parents who began working as school teachers of mathematics, and continued as teachers of the Saratov State Pedagogical Institute named after K.A. Fedin (now SSU).

best possible choice

"I often remember moments from my childhood. When Dad accompanied my younger sister and me to school, he told us the contents of a lecture on mathematics that he was supposed to read to students in 20 minutes," recalls M.P. Zinovieva.

The teaching profession surrounded Maria Pavlovna from an early age: "She was also close to me because I was always surrounded by children: I led a very active school life, participated in various activities with children, worked as a counselor."

After graduating from Saratov school No. 80 (now gymnasium No. 2) with a gold medal, the heroine did not doubt her choice of profession, despite the fact that all doors were open for her. The choice was made, and he fell on the faculty of primary classes of the pedagogical Institute. In 1990, after graduating from high school, she became a student and began to lead an active student life.

"When I was in the 4th year, I was invited to work at the Lyceum No. 3 named after A.S. Pushkin. I worked at the lyceum for 10 years, becoming deputy director for educational work," says Maria Pavlovna.

In 2002, M.P. Zinovieva thought about the need to continue her career as a teacher, so she enrolled in a correspondence graduate school. Her supervisor was the candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor G.K. Parinova. Since 2003, Maria Pavlovna joined the staff of the Department of Pedagogy of Primary and Preschool Education. He considers Irina Vladimirovna Koshkina to be his mentor. "She lectured me on pedagogy when I was a student, and then we became colleagues. This is the kind of person you can look up to in life and in work," recalls Maria Pavlovna.

my parents – my example

Pavel Mikhailovich and Tatyana Fedorovna Zinoviev studied together at the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of the Saratov State Pedagogical Institute. In 1972, after graduating from university, the couple got married and went to the village school of Bazarno-Karabulaksky district, in the village of Alekseevka. Our heroine, Maria Pavlovna, was born there.

After three years of working as teachers at a rural school, Tatyana Fedorovna and Pavel Mikhailovich were invited to work at the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of the Saratov Pedagogical Institute. Then Pavel Mikhailovich entered the postgraduate course of Kazan State University, successfully defended his dissertation and received a PhD in physics and Mathematics. After returning to Saratov in 1987, he was appointed dean of the Faculty of Primary Education. He worked in this position for 14 years. Then he was the deputy director of the Institute for Academic Affairs for 6 years. Pavel Mikhailovich is currently working as an associate professor at the Department of Primary Natural and Mathematical Education of the Federal State Pedagogical University named after N.G. Chernyshevsky.

Maria Pavlovna says about her father: "The ability to keep all the lecture material in mind without being distracted by notes is a degree of supreme mastery! My dad is strict and demanding, a very fair person."

Tatyana Fedorovna also worked at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, and later moved to the Faculty of Psychological, Pedagogical and Special Education, where she worked as a senior teacher.

"Mom is a very responsible person. I remember how carefully she prepared for each class with the students. It was impossible for her to come to a lecture and not know how to solve a particular problem!" recalls Maria Pavlovna. Tatyana Fedorovna has completed her teaching career, but still actively communicates with her former students, continuing to advise them on the methodology of teaching mathematics.

pedagogical ‘wonder’

Maria Pavlovna advises her students to develop and not stop there: "I always tell students, 'Be yourself! A teacher is a person who needs to be followed. And only when you can ignite a spark of interest in your student's heart, then he will follow you." M.P. Zinovieva says these words for a reason: the ability to teach new things and bring a child into the world of knowledge is a big job that not everyone can do. Therefore, every teacher is a magician, without whose magic it is impossible to conquer the heart of a pupil.

Text by Alina Ivashchenko, photo from the interviewee’s archive

Translated by Lyudmila Yefremova