"The task is to prevent it from turning into 'balloon-lanterns': a new Teacher's House has opened in Kazan."

      Photo story by "BUSINESS Online" about whether the mansion on Podluzhnaya can solve the problems of educators

      "We wanted to create a creative space where you could exchange best practices, corresponding to the scale and significance of the work of educators: modern, dignified, with opportunities for learning, professional communication, creativity, and relaxation," said Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin at the opening of the House of Education Workers on Podluzhnaya. It turned out to be more than worthy: the new space with coworking areas, a podcast studio, and its own garden has already welcomed its first visitors. About how the House of the Teacher is arranged inside — in the photo story by "BUSINESS Online."

      On the gradually reviving Podluzhnaya street, where the appearance of a business center, hotel, and restaurant was previously announced, a new magnet for the educational community has recently appeared — the House of the Teacher. It was first announced back in 2024 that a center for education workers would open in the building constructed in 1900. "It will be very dignified, I think it will please you," said Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin to the teachers at that time. And now the House of the Teacher has finally revealed itself in all its glory. In front of it is a well-kept courtyard: neat benches, freshly planted flowers and trees, a lawn with sun loungers.

      In the first autumn days, the well-maintained area was appreciated not only by educators but also by parents with children who organized a picnic there. The weather was just right — warm and sunny.

      Life is bustling not only outside but also inside: with the start of the school year, lectures for teachers began in the House of the Teacher, where they were first informed about artificial intelligence. The updated House of Education Workers was visited by the Mayor of Kazan. "We wanted to create a creative space where you could exchange best practices, corresponding to the scale and significance of the work of educators: modern, dignified, with opportunities for learning, professional communication, creativity, and relaxation," he said, addressing those present.

      One of the important symbols of the House is the educational map of Kazan, which indicates all schools, kindergartens, and additional education institutions in the city. It is intended to remind educators that they are not alone but part of a large "army" of like-minded individuals.

      The institution is set to become the headquarters for teachers, a place for learning, experience exchange, and discussions, as well as a venue for relaxation and personal communication. The work of the House of the Teacher will be structured along several directions: a leadership center where educators can choose mentors, a pedagogical workshop aimed at making the profession attractive to high school students and education majors. A research center in pedagogy will also operate here, which will implement modern educational technologies and assess their effectiveness. Another focus of work will be in the HR direction. "The House of the Teacher will become a single window for educators, so that after moving, a teacher can come here and immediately receive consultation, a complete list of schools where there are positions in their specialty, where our specialists will immediately connect them with the head and guide them to the end — to employment," said the head of the education department, Irek Rizvanov, in an interview with our publication.

      "The biggest problem for educators is professional loneliness. There is no one to consult with and who would understand you in the same way. The Turks have a parable about Hodja Nasreddin. One day he falls from a roof, and neighbors gather around him and ask how they can help, whom to call for help. He brushes everyone off and asks to call someone who has also fallen from a height," metaphorically said the director of the House of the Teacher, Albert Akhmetov, about the main task of the institution — to create a professional community for education workers.

      For informal communication, coworking areas have been created here, where during breaks between lectures, one can sit and relax, exchange news. There are plans to hold book club meetings. Teachers can exchange experiences not only in person; on the first floor of the House, there is a podcast studio available for those who wish by appointment. "We have educators in the city who, in addition to their main activities, also host podcasts. They are ambassadors of the educational community who can inspire educators and talk about what truly interests them. But they need help with equipment and production. We will try to find a producer and help run such blogs," Akhmetov said.

      From the windows of the second floor, there is a view of the neighboring construction site and the square for education workers. In the space located in the backyard of the House, lectures can be held outdoors during warm weather.

      The first event held in the new House of Education Workers was a meeting between Metshin and educators. In an informal setting, he communicated with students from pedagogical universities, young specialists who came to Kazan from other regions, school directors, and industry veterans.

      Young professionals are successfully taking on leadership positions. For example, Kamil Abdulvakhobov (in the photo on the left) is 26 years old. He received his first higher education at a technical university, but by the 4th year, he realized he wanted to pursue pedagogy. After working as a teacher and understanding that this was "it," he became the deputy director at Lyceum No. 187. At 24, he received an offer to head Gymnasium No. 175. "No colleague left the gymnasium when I arrived. Most of them have been working since its founding, creating all conditions for our kids, of whom there are currently 1,143," he shared.

      An eye-catching blonde in a burgundy jacket — Elena Berbina, a teacher at kindergarten No. 78, winner of the republican stage of the "Teacher of the Year – 2026" competition. This year she will also represent the capital of Tatarstan at one of the professional competitions. But her activities are not limited to this: not long ago, the girl appeared in a documentary for the all-Russian project "Mastery of Professions." "The team came from Moscow, and they were first and foremost impressed by our city. Even when we were filming, the director asked me several times: 'Is this really a state kindergarten?' Apparently, she just didn't expect to see such a level. The director lives in Shanghai, and she was also very impressed," the educator shared. Metshin mentioned that one of the leading project members, Alexander Tsypkin, wrote to him after filming and was very impressed by the kindergarten and the teaching staff. According to Berbina, the new House of the Teacher is important for finding like-minded individuals and conducting master classes. The girl is ready to conduct practical classes for her colleagues herself.

      "Our task now is to fill the House of the Teacher so that it delivers the maximum. It should not turn into 'balloons and lanterns.' We believe that after some time we will be able to package our experience into a franchise and help other cities develop as well," Akhmetov said. In response, Metshin promised to provide maximum support to the House of the Teacher and help bring in renowned speakers for lectures.

      "The House is not walls; it is people. We need to attract people, not be shy to reach out, to invite. The more local teachers, Russian, and foreign educators are attracted here, the better," reflected Yuri Lazarev, a popular teacher in Tatarstan and a distinguished teacher of the Russian Federation, on how to turn the House of the Teacher into a real platform buzzing with life.

      Plans include launching not only lectures and master classes here but also theater studios, chess sections, and intellectual discussion platforms. To overcome anxieties, they even came up with a format called "nyting" (as Akhmetov jokingly named it). All this is to help teachers cope with burnout and professional loneliness.

      Tatiana Leukhina

      More news about the event:

      "The task is not to turn into 'balloons and lanterns': a new House of the Teacher opened in Kazan"

      Photo story by "BUSINESS Online" about whether the mansion on Podluzhnaya can solve the problems of educators

      "We wanted to create a creative space where you could exchange best practices," 13:34 02.09.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      Metshin opened a new House of the Teacher on Podluzhnaya – this format has appeared in Russia for the first time

      A new House of the Teacher has opened at 49a Podluzhnaya Street in Kazan. The venue combines the professional development of educators and leaders of educational organizations. 12:31 02.09.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      The best educational worker in preschool education in the Rostov region

      The results of the regional competition for the "Best Educational Worker in Preschool Education in the Rostov Region" have been summarized. 08:22 01.09.2026 Education Department - Kamenolomni