Learn & Lead Awards through My Eyes
On October 19, 2021, the first-ever Learn & Lead Awards ceremony took place. This exceptional event was also attended by our product manager Petra Gavlíková, who explained her feelings about the course of the event, in the next few lines, with her own eyes.
I joined Harmony in July of this year as a product manager. The reception from both the management and the team itself was very warm and friendly. From the very beginning, I had the opportunity to participate in the project Upgrade with learner-centred approach in Ružomberok and thus gain a new perspective on education and building the future of schools.
The culmination of the efforts of the entire international Learn & Lead concept took place at the first-ever Learn & Lead Awards. Attending the Learn & Lead online event was a new but all the more rewarding experience for me. In total, it was awarded in ten Learn & Lead categories, namely: student, teacher/Trainer, leader, developer, team, manager, school, personality, most remarkable person and rising star. In addition to the pleasant atmosphere, this meeting also highlighted the power of the Learn & Lead idea, which is found, among other things, in the international cooperation of several countries such as Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Slovenia or Croatia with the aim of learning, learning from each other, moving forward and building a better world.
In my opinion, the Learn & Lead Awards open the door to the future for all those who are yet to embark on this journey with us, motivate us and show that every single one matters. Being a participant in this event and seeing sincere joy and gratitude for individual awards not only gives me the assurance that together we are moving forward to be a better version of ourselves every day.
I believe that this concept will continue to develop, that we will be able to continue to monitor its growth or, even better, actively participate in its construction.
And now let's introduce the winners of the Learn & Lead Awards 2021 categories
Learn & Lead Student
1st place - Yaroslav Chynoradsky
2nd place - Michal Čičmanec
3rd place - Eric Demange and Valerie Demange
Learn & Lead teacher/Trainer
1st place - Andrea Rebrová
2nd place - Jana Chynoradská
3rd place - Soňa Petrášová
Learn & Lead Leader
1st place - Jana Chynoradská
2nd place - Soňa Petrášová
3rd place - Andrea Rohuna
Developer Learn & Lead
1st place - Jana Chynoradská
2nd place - Soňa Petrášová
3rd place - Andrea Rohuna
Learn & Lead Team
1st place - Harmony Academy
2nd place - Petrasso
3rd place - KA2: Upgrade team (ULCA)
Manager Learn & Lead
1st place - Jana Chynoradská
2nd place - Martina Olejníková
3rd place - Soňa Petrášová
School Learn & Lead
1st place - Harmony Academy, Trnava, Slovakia
2nd place - Petrasso, Nitra, Slovakia
3rd place - Linguapax, Vukovar, Croatia
Personality Learn & Lead
1st place - Andrea Rebrová
2nd place - Jana Chynoradská
3rd place - Soňa Petrášová
The most remarkable person
Rising star
Highlights of the strongest moments from the Learn & Lead awards ceremony:
Other statements by some of the participants of the Learn & Lead Awards 2021:
Mudassir Arafat
"The L&L Awards were a motivating concept that not only interested but also surprised many of us. I was pleased to see the winners and to know some of them personally and I enjoyed each of them wholeheartedly. The award ceremony was attended by participants from different corners of the world, who had different nationalities, and this diversity gave the event more stars. My personal favorite was the wheel of fortune, which was supposed to find a lucky winner, and how it kept us all in suspense. I wish Harmony every success and hope that next year it will be part of the L&L Awards."
Linda Polkowski
"I was honored to be invited to announce the winner of the 'Learn & Lead Personality' category. What struck me the most was the number of people nominated for this award. Being a "personality" means having drive, dynamism and energy. That's why I was thrilled to see that Learn & Lead had already recognized those who motivate others and who are committed to our shared vision. The future is bright!"
Markéta Rusnáková
"As a representative of the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships KA203 Upgrade With Learner - Centred Approach team, I gained the opportunity to find out through the L&L Awards how large an international network we are part of. We implement approaches within the education system in Slovakia and in partner countries that will improve both education systems and ourselves as teachers and make them professionally better. All this motivates me and my colleagues, as I believe, and will motivate me and will be motivated to spread the ideas and outputs of the student-oriented approach and L&L to other schools and universities not only in Slovakia, but also abroad. I really appreciate the award we've received, also because we still feel like newcomers to the LCA and L&L space."
Jana Chynoradská
"The Learn & Lead award is a very precious meaning to me. Since I have been associated with this concept since the birth of its idea, in November 2009, I very much appreciate the favor and interest of everyone who voted for this competition. The whole evening was in a fantastic spirit and seeing a full screen of fans who come from different corners of the world was amazing! I especially experienced the award for the best Learn & Lead team, which was named our Harmony. My thanks go to every single member who has contributed a drop to our success. I already know that the next edition of the Learn & Lead Awards 2022 will take place in Trnava on 12-13 November. September and there will be something to look forward to again!"
Martin Hirschner
"It was a pleasant evening with people who dedicated their lives to educating themselves and others in English. What made me happy was to meet my colleagues from my job among the members and at the same time to get to know the Learn & Lead lecturers "live" and see the results of their work. I am actively monitoring the site. I was also pleased with the win. I wish the organizers every success and enthusiasm in developing this project, which has potential."
Adriana Bírová
"The L&L Awards was something new for me. Somewhat out of curiosity, I accepted the invitation and participated in the (un)traditional online awards ceremony for the best. Learning and teaching a foreign language is challenging, but it can also be inspiring on the part of both the student and the teacher. The evening was marked by good mood and friendship. It was very pleasant, the atmosphere relaxed, not scruffy, but nevertheless festive. Nicely everything organized, but not machined... There was a feeling of enthusiasm, good mood and especially undisguised joy that this project was successful. The awardees did not hide their emotion and gratitude to their colleagues. I wish this project to develop further and continue to be an inspiration to many of us who are lifelong learners. I wish everyone good health, happiness and successful progress."
Martina Olejníková
"I would start with what resonates with me the most. It was Janka's emotion after Harmony Academy was announced as the winner. And the surprise of Mudassira as the winner in the category of The L&L Rising Star. As for the L&L Awards itself, since I was the coordinator, I know it from A to Z, i.e. from the birth of the idea to make L&LAwards to the actual ceremony of announcing the results. It was quite a long journey, but it ended with a beautiful, touching ceremony. It was also interesting for me to follow the business cards of individual nominees. I learned a lot about them. During the coordination, I met various interesting people, and what I must not forget is the fact that it also moved me in the field of knowledge and use of English. It was definitely a rewarding experience for which I am grateful."
Andrea Rebrová
"It was great to meet again in the company of people from different parts of the world. In this online age, we are increasingly aware of how rare face-to-face meetings are. Even though we were online, the atmosphere was great, everyone was in a positive mood and anticipation of what was actually going to happen, since we had never done something like this before in this dimension, it was the premiere not only of the award, but also of the way of valuing online."
I would like to congratulate all the winners on their awards and wish them many more successes in the future to continue building and enhancing the idea of Learn & Lead.
I am very happy to be a part of this adventurous journey and I am already looking forward to the next edition of the Learn & Lead Awards 2022!
