18th November 2025, Brussels
Junior Achievement (JA) Europe is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 JA Europe Teacher of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding educators who have made a lasting impact in the field of entrepreneurship education across Europe.
After a highly competitive selection process, the jury, comprising representatives from UPS, UniCredit Foundation, Teach for All and the 2024 winner of JA Europe Teacher of the Year Award, selected three remarkable teachers whose creativity, dedication, and impact exemplify excellence in fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among youth.
1st Place: Natalia Rybak from Ukraine
2nd Place: Enikő Kővágóné Szabó from Hungary
3rd Place: Roberto Calleja from Malta
Chelsea Allison, Vice President Human Resources at UPS EMEA, explained why The UPS Foundation sponsored the Award: “At UPS, we deeply understand that education is the foundation for economic empowerment – a core pillar of The UPS Foundation’s work. By supporting initiatives like the Teacher of the Year Award, we want to ensure that teachers are equipped and recognized for the essential role they play.”
Salvatore Nigro, CEO of JA Europe, highlighted “At JA Europe, we believe that teachers are the driving force behind the entrepreneurial mindset that Europe needs for the future. This year’s winners have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to empowering young people with the skills, confidence, and creativity to succeed in a rapidly changing world. We are incredibly proud to honour their achievements and celebrate the impact they are making across our continent, and we thank UPS for championing this initiative.”
Meet the 2025 Award winners
1st Place: Natalia Rybak from Ukraine
We are immensely proud to present Natalia Rybak, an inspiring educator whose energy and creativity have transformed entrepreneurship education in Ukraine. Natalia’s teaching philosophy blends innovation, inclusivity, and experiential learning, helping students develop critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Her dedication to empowering young people through JA programmes has led to numerous successful student enterprises and inspired her peers to adopt more dynamic teaching methods. Natalia’s influence reaches far beyond her classroom, she represents the transformative power of education to build resilience and hope in challenging times.
2nd Place: Enikő Kővágóné Szabó from Hungary
Kővágóné Szabó Enikő stands out as a passionate and visionary educator dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial spirit in Hungary’s next generation. Known for her innovative teaching style, she integrates real-world challenges into classroom learning, encouraging students to take initiative and explore their ideas with confidence.
Her long-standing engagement with JA Hungary reflects her commitment to bridging education and the business world, ensuring that students gain practical, hands-on experience. Through her mentorship and enthusiasm, Enikő fosters not just future entrepreneurs, but responsible, creative, and motivated citizens.
3rd Place: Roberto Calleja from Malta
At G.F. Abela Junior College, Roberto Calleja has become a cornerstone of entrepreneurship education in Malta. His approach is rooted in experiential learning, helping students turn ideas into action through collaboration, reflection, and innovation.
With years of experience and a deep understanding of the JA methodology, Roberto has inspired a culture of curiosity and resilience among his students. His classes are known for their engaging, hands-on projects that connect education to the real world, empowering young people to believe in their potential to lead and create change.
JA Europe extends its heartfelt thanks to UPS for its continued partnership and generous support of the Teacher of the Year Award. This collaboration makes it possible to recognise and celebrate the educators who play a vital role in shaping Europe’s entrepreneurial future.
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network provided 7,5 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats.
