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We celebrate the headmasters who build the future of education.
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The Headmaster of the Year Awards Gala recognizes leaders who change schools from within, even when this seems impossible.
It concerns headmasters who take action without waiting for perfect conditions, who turn their school into a better place for the children, the teachers and the community.
Looking these leaders into their eyes, we acknowledge not only their merits, but also the path we want education to take. It is an invitation to be brave, to collaborate and to proceed - for an education future built together.
Educational transformations deserve to be recognised.
They are part of the competition that brings to the fore actual leadership models from schools.
It is awarded to one of the finalists of the first 3 categories, who goes above and beyond expectations and ticks all the criteria pertaining to authentic leadership. We are talking about a headmaster with a strategic vision, who is creative, able to communicate and negotiate effectively, resilient in the face of challenges, inspiring in everything they do. They know how to motivate their team and create a healthy learning environment for both students and adults.
This category recognizes the efforts of headmasters who have made sure that every child has real access to education. We reward initiatives that have led to increased school participation and provided concrete support to the most vulnerable pupils, so that no pupil should be left out due to lack of resources. They are those headmasters who have built bridges, not walls, giving everyone a genuine chance at quality education.
For the Innovation category, we reward headmasters who were not satisfied with “that will do”. They are the ones who have unlocked processes, engaged partners from outside the school and brought in new solutions - either through technology or through creative and innovative methods - to make student learning visible and relevant. These are headmasters who innovate, connect, transform. In short: those who change the rules of the game - for the better.
The category reserved for those who know how to turn challenges into opportunities. These headmasters manage budgets effectively, attract additional resources and find solutions where others only see limits. They are leaders with initiative, who get ideas and people in motion. They are visionaries, negotiators and architects of smart solutions. They are leaders of the school, but also of the future.
Registration
for the competition
Validation
of the registration
Preliminary assessment of the registrations
Regional judging
proceedings
National judging
proceedings
The awards ceremony for the 2025 Headmasters of the Year
3.500 de euro for the projects of schools
A spot in the Programme for the Transformation of Schools in Romania
An invitation to be part of the 2026 Gala jury
You are putting your school on the map
The opportunity for personal and professional growth
New development opportunities
You are motivating your school community
You have the opportunity to connect with other leaders in education, NGOs and local authorities
You meet company leaders who can have a major impact on your school
You are getting national exposure
You will benefit from media training
You are making your voice heard within a space that values authentic leaders
Do you want a top spot application? Download the registration guidelines containing the necessary steps to fill in your application, as well as recommendations for your work to be reflected into each written word.
You may have not realized how much you matter within the educational landscape. However, for those around you, the change is felt. If you have set something positive in motion, you deserve to be acknowledged.
Take part in a free webinar and discuss face to face with the previous editions’ Headmasters of the Year.
Find out everything you want to know about:
What it means to be a winning headmaster;
How the winners' school communities have developed after the Gala;
How you or one of the headmasters you esteem can be among the 2025 Headmasters of the Year.
Find out what recognition looks like as seen through the eyes of headmasters who have experienced it.
Marius Cosmin, Middle School no. 27, Timișoara, Timiș county - National finalist, the Western region
Marinela Culea, “Cezar Nicolau” Technological High School, Brănești, Ilfov county - the 2024 Headmaster of the Year for Entrepreneurship
Beatrice Carmen Zelinschi, “Vasile Adamachi” Agricultural and Food Industry College, Iași, Iași county - regional finalist, the Eastern region
Varvara Sîngeorzan, “Solomon Haliță” Theoretical High School, Sângeorz-Băi, Bistrița-Năsăud county - regional finalist, the Central region
Ana Maria Chelaru, “Comandor Alexandru Cătuneanu” Theoretical High School, Lunca Cetățuii, Iași county - the 2024 Headmaster of the Year for Equal Opportunities
Recommend a headmaster who deserves to be seen and acknowledged!
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The Western region
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Together we build the future of education. Discover those who saw in education a shared responsibility.
Media Partners
Previous editions, seen through the eyes of those who inspire.
Florin Negruțiu, journalist, Republica/Digi 24
Daniel Matei, Sustainability Professional, Raiffeisen Bank
Alexandru Chiriță, CEO, Electrica
UP România
Alina Constandache, a BDO Romania partner
