This morning was special for Olga Chuyeshkova, a teacher from Gomel with nearly 40 years of experience. Olga Chuyeshkova was the homeroom teacher for the graduating Class 10 ‘A’ of 1970-1971 at the Alexandria secondary school, among whose students was the future head of state, Aleksandr Lukashenko. Ahead of Teachers' Day, the president conveyed warm congratulations to his former homeroom teacher. BelTA correspondents were there to capture the teacher’s emotions.
On this Saturday morning, Aide to the President, Inspector for Gomel Oblast Ruslan Parkhamovich came to see Olga Chuyeshkova on a pleasant mission. Earlier in the week, he had received a responsible assignment - to congratulate the homeroom teacher of the head of state. "I sincerely congratulate you on Teachers' Day, not only from myself but also from your student - the president of Belarus. Good teachers, like good students, are never forgotten. He remembers you, values you, and respects you. May this attention serve as an additional incentive for you to joyfully celebrate this professional holiday,” Ruslan Parkhamovich emphasized.
The teacher tenderly held the book to her chest. “I am immensely proud! Aleksandr Grigoryevich has done so well! It is very touching that after all these years, he still remembers me. I am sure he has had many worthy teachers throughout his life, including at the institute and the academy. But he remembers me too. This truly speaks volumes about his character,” she emphasized gratefully.
According to the teacher, the graduating class of the 1970-1971 school year was special for her. "My 10 'A' was the best. Your first graduating class is like your first love and you remember it forever! I believe it was the best graduating class in the entire history of the Alexandria secondary school,” Olga Chuyeshkova said.
Today's meeting was warm and heartfelt. Olga Chuyeshkova showed clippings from newspapers and magazines, old photographs, which she carefully keeps. “Back then, we didn't have cameras, so there aren't many photos,” she explained. That's why the surviving black-and-white pictures only become more precious and valuable with each passing year, she added.
Olga Chuyeshkova has lived in Gomel for many years and always fondly remembers the time she spent in Alexandria. Her career in education spans 37 years, but that period, she said, provided invaluable experience and became her school of life.
Pictures of daily life come alive in her words like scenes from a documentary. A young family of chemistry and biology teachers with their little daughter arrived in Alexandria for their job assignment. “Small towns have a slightly different vibe. People are kinder and more responsive. As a city dweller, I had to face the difficulties of rural life. It was a bit tough for a 20-year-old girl, but I managed. We had support and help," Olga Chuyeshkova said.
Recalling the 15-year-old Aleksandr Lukashenko, the homeroom teacher remarked: "He was always a leader and a top performer, though admittedly a bit feisty in character, but at the same time kind and responsive, hardworking and responsible. He was always there for others in times of trouble. He had a lot of friends. He wrote poetry, played the accordion well, served as an emcee at events and helped organize them. He was more of a humanities type, always articulate, with that slight huskiness in his voice that made him instantly recognizable. And as for sports - need I even say! He was always involved in athletics. The boys played football and hockey, but mostly hockey because winters offered more time for it after the agricultural season ended. Aleksandr was constantly working: helping his mother and also on the collective farm. “His mother played a very significant role in his upbringing," the teacher emphasized.
She recalled that when the class went on potato harvesting trips, the boys would often flirt with the girls but rarely offered help. "But Aleksandr was different, When he saw a girl struggling to lift a basket, he would go over, carry it for her, and help. It was like that with everything. Very responsible. He knew how to do literally everything," the teacher reminisced.
After seven years of working in Alexandria, the couple returned to Gomel due to family circumstances. “We would have stayed there. We loved both the nature and the people. It was beautiful. But circumstances turned out that way,” she noted.
During the conversation, the teacher said that she has always dreamed of visiting Lake Baikal in winter. Another wish of hers is to return to the places where she grew as a teacher and spent her younger years -Alexandria - to walk the same streets and perhaps meet someone familiar. Ruslan Parkhamovich sincerely wished for her dreams to come true. “Just hop in the car with your daughter and take a trip! Trofimov’s Spring is also there. The place is incredibly beautiful. The head of state always speaks of his hometown with special affection and love. And for you, this place is familiar too,” he said.
Olga Chuyeshkova also recalled, with tears in her eyes, her meeting with the head of state in Gomel in the 1990s: “I fully understand how busy he is, but he still found time for me. He hugged me, asked how I was doing, and we reminisced about Alexandria. Honestly, it moved me to tears.”
“Such kindness, such memory… These things are priceless! You teach the children God gives you, and among them are ones like him! I hope I also made my own small contribution to his upbringing and education. May God grant him health, patience, and long years! He is like family to me. I always worry about the immense burden he carries,” Olga Ivanovna said.
The experienced teacher also offered advice to her younger colleagues: “Show more love for children and for life. There's no need to delve into overly complex theories; what's important is to provide the essentials—the ability to engage with books and, of course, it's crucial now to teach computer skills as well. I believe the younger generation needs to be given more independence today. Children are overly protected nowadays. That's why I consider mandatory job placement after graduation to be a very good practice. Young specialists get their first job and, at the same time, go through a real school of life, gaining invaluable experience. My granddaughter, after graduating from medical university, has her job placement in Dobrush. She likes it very much. It's very important to work. Without labor, there is no worthy individual."
Ruslan Parkhamovich noted that a teacher is the closest figure to a child after their parents, as this profession inherently involves assisting parents in upbringing. "A teacher must support the child, instill all good human qualities and prepare them for adult life. Undoubtedly, the teaching profession will always be there. No machine code, no artificial intelligence can replace a teacher as a human being,” Ruslan Parkhamovich noted.
Photos by Sergei Kholodilin,
On this Saturday morning, Aide to the President, Inspector for Gomel Oblast Ruslan Parkhamovich came to see Olga Chuyeshkova on a pleasant mission. Earlier in the week, he had received a responsible assignment - to congratulate the homeroom teacher of the head of state. "I sincerely congratulate you on Teachers' Day, not only from myself but also from your student - the president of Belarus. Good teachers, like good students, are never forgotten. He remembers you, values you, and respects you. May this attention serve as an additional incentive for you to joyfully celebrate this professional holiday,” Ruslan Parkhamovich emphasized.
Olga Chuyeshkova gratefully accepted the flowers and gift – the book “Our President" inscribed by the head of state to his homeroom teacher: "The warmest and kindest wishes to you and your family. Best regards!”
The teacher tenderly held the book to her chest. “I am immensely proud! Aleksandr Grigoryevich has done so well! It is very touching that after all these years, he still remembers me. I am sure he has had many worthy teachers throughout his life, including at the institute and the academy. But he remembers me too. This truly speaks volumes about his character,” she emphasized gratefully.
According to the teacher, the graduating class of the 1970-1971 school year was special for her. "My 10 'A' was the best. Your first graduating class is like your first love and you remember it forever! I believe it was the best graduating class in the entire history of the Alexandria secondary school,” Olga Chuyeshkova said.
Today's meeting was warm and heartfelt. Olga Chuyeshkova showed clippings from newspapers and magazines, old photographs, which she carefully keeps. “Back then, we didn't have cameras, so there aren't many photos,” she explained. That's why the surviving black-and-white pictures only become more precious and valuable with each passing year, she added.
Olga Chuyeshkova has lived in Gomel for many years and always fondly remembers the time she spent in Alexandria. Her career in education spans 37 years, but that period, she said, provided invaluable experience and became her school of life.
Pictures of daily life come alive in her words like scenes from a documentary. A young family of chemistry and biology teachers with their little daughter arrived in Alexandria for their job assignment. “Small towns have a slightly different vibe. People are kinder and more responsive. As a city dweller, I had to face the difficulties of rural life. It was a bit tough for a 20-year-old girl, but I managed. We had support and help," Olga Chuyeshkova said.
With a smile, Olga Chuyeshkova recalled how the students helped the city-bred teacher adapt to rural life. She said they even once saved her life. “We bought a refrigerator. And what was the transport in the village? Horse-drawn. So I was transporting it that way, and suddenly the horse bolted! I couldn't control it. I was already mentally saying goodbye to life. But the kids arrived just in time, and Aleksandr was with them and they helped me,” she said.
Recalling the 15-year-old Aleksandr Lukashenko, the homeroom teacher remarked: "He was always a leader and a top performer, though admittedly a bit feisty in character, but at the same time kind and responsive, hardworking and responsible. He was always there for others in times of trouble. He had a lot of friends. He wrote poetry, played the accordion well, served as an emcee at events and helped organize them. He was more of a humanities type, always articulate, with that slight huskiness in his voice that made him instantly recognizable. And as for sports - need I even say! He was always involved in athletics. The boys played football and hockey, but mostly hockey because winters offered more time for it after the agricultural season ended. Aleksandr was constantly working: helping his mother and also on the collective farm. “His mother played a very significant role in his upbringing," the teacher emphasized.
She recalled that when the class went on potato harvesting trips, the boys would often flirt with the girls but rarely offered help. "But Aleksandr was different, When he saw a girl struggling to lift a basket, he would go over, carry it for her, and help. It was like that with everything. Very responsible. He knew how to do literally everything," the teacher reminisced.
“He never hid behind anyone else. Even at 15, he was just as straightforward, honest, and open as he is now. Though now, of course, he's more experienced and wiser,” the teacher added.
It was by his voice that Olga Chuyeshkova and her husband recognized their former student during a radio broadcast. “My husband and I were just getting ready for work. But I said to him: 'That voice is so familiar, so dear.' We turned on the TV and it was indeed him. And even before the first election, we were sure our guy would win," the teacher said.
It was by his voice that Olga Chuyeshkova and her husband recognized their former student during a radio broadcast. “My husband and I were just getting ready for work. But I said to him: 'That voice is so familiar, so dear.' We turned on the TV and it was indeed him. And even before the first election, we were sure our guy would win," the teacher said.
After seven years of working in Alexandria, the couple returned to Gomel due to family circumstances. “We would have stayed there. We loved both the nature and the people. It was beautiful. But circumstances turned out that way,” she noted.
During the conversation, the teacher said that she has always dreamed of visiting Lake Baikal in winter. Another wish of hers is to return to the places where she grew as a teacher and spent her younger years -Alexandria - to walk the same streets and perhaps meet someone familiar. Ruslan Parkhamovich sincerely wished for her dreams to come true. “Just hop in the car with your daughter and take a trip! Trofimov’s Spring is also there. The place is incredibly beautiful. The head of state always speaks of his hometown with special affection and love. And for you, this place is familiar too,” he said.
Olga Chuyeshkova also recalled, with tears in her eyes, her meeting with the head of state in Gomel in the 1990s: “I fully understand how busy he is, but he still found time for me. He hugged me, asked how I was doing, and we reminisced about Alexandria. Honestly, it moved me to tears.”
“Such kindness, such memory… These things are priceless! You teach the children God gives you, and among them are ones like him! I hope I also made my own small contribution to his upbringing and education. May God grant him health, patience, and long years! He is like family to me. I always worry about the immense burden he carries,” Olga Ivanovna said.
The experienced teacher also offered advice to her younger colleagues: “Show more love for children and for life. There's no need to delve into overly complex theories; what's important is to provide the essentials—the ability to engage with books and, of course, it's crucial now to teach computer skills as well. I believe the younger generation needs to be given more independence today. Children are overly protected nowadays. That's why I consider mandatory job placement after graduation to be a very good practice. Young specialists get their first job and, at the same time, go through a real school of life, gaining invaluable experience. My granddaughter, after graduating from medical university, has her job placement in Dobrush. She likes it very much. It's very important to work. Without labor, there is no worthy individual."
Ruslan Parkhamovich noted that a teacher is the closest figure to a child after their parents, as this profession inherently involves assisting parents in upbringing. "A teacher must support the child, instill all good human qualities and prepare them for adult life. Undoubtedly, the teaching profession will always be there. No machine code, no artificial intelligence can replace a teacher as a human being,” Ruslan Parkhamovich noted.
Photos by Sergei Kholodilin,
BelTA
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