14 new teachers begin work in Latvian schools as part of the "Enefit Iespējamā Misija: Save STEM" program

With the start of the new school year, 14 new science teachers – participants in the program "Enefit Iespējamā Misija: Save STEM" – have begun work in schools in Liepāja, Jelgava, Ādaži, Mārupe, Cēsis, Ventspils, and the Riga region. Most of the teachers will teach several STEM subjects: seven teachers will teach mathematics, five will teach biology, three will teach physics and chemistry, two will teach natural sciences, engineering, design, and technology, and one will teach robotics.

"Each of the new teachers has their own motivation: a desire to inspire children, a belief that learning can change lives, and a conviction that STEM subjects are accessible to everyone. They enter the classroom with a mission to help students believe in their own abilities and discover that science, mathematics, and technology are not difficult subjects, but rather a path to opportunities and growth in the future," says Ramona Urtāne, Chair of the Board of Iespējamā misija, about the new teachers.

"By supporting the recruitment of new teachers for schools, Enefit is helping to solve a problem that has been neglected in Latvia for decades, the consequences of which are being felt more and more acutely by society. The shortage of labor and the decline in quality in technical fields certainly do not improve the country's overall competitiveness. That is why we are logically investing in education, and every new STEM expert we manage to attract and prepare for work in schools is a great achievement," explains Mārtiņš Vancāns, Chairman of the Board of Enefit, explaining the motivation behind supporting the program.

The 14 new teachers have obtained higher education in STEM fields, and their previous professional experience has also been closely related to these sectors. Program participants have previously worked in medicine, information technology, logistics, accounting, research, banking, public administration, and business. This summer, the new teachers participated in the "Summer University," where they gained the necessary knowledge and experience to work with children. Program participants will continue to acquire theoretical knowledge over the next two years while working in schools: Jelgava Secondary School No. 4, Jelgava Secondary School No. 5, Ozolnieki Secondary School, Liepaja Secondary School No. 47, Ventspils Secondary School No. 6, Ventspils State Gymnasium, Private Montessori Primary School, Riga State Gymnasium No. 3, Riga Dārzciems Secondary School, Riga Media and Art Technical School, Vidzeme Technology and Design Technical School, Riga Secondary School No. 47, Babīte Secondary School, and Carnikava Secondary School.

"I see the teaching profession as an opportunity to give back to the state and my teachers a part of what they have invested in my growth. Teachers provide enormous value to society, which unfortunately often goes unappreciated. Working in a corporate environment, I lacked a deeper meaning, but at school, this sense of community and direct impact on students is genuine and meaningful," says Kaspars Pakulis, who will teach mathematics and computer science at the Riga Art and Media Technical School, explaining his choice to become a teacher. He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering in computer management and computer science from Riga Technical University and has previously worked as a technology consultant.

STEM is an important field for Latvia's economy, but there is an acute shortage of teachers of natural sciences, technology, and mathematics, resulting in a constant shortage of qualified specialists. That is why the foundation "Iespējamā misija" (Mission Possible), together with the energy company Enefit, is implementing the leadership development program "Enefit Iespējamā Misija: Save STEM" for the second year in a row, which trains enthusiastic and highly motivated STEM teachers.