Teacher Hailed as 'Queen' by Students Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Marina Čubrić, a Croatian language professor at Zagreb's Archbishop Classical Gymnasium, has been honored with the prestigious "Ivan Filipović" lifetime achievement award. She had previously become a recognizable figure for many graduating students through the Radiomatura project, which provided guidance for the Croatian language state matura exam.

Her analyses of literary works, essay writing tips, and explanations of course material garnered thousands of views and hundreds of grateful comments from students. They described her as "the queen" and credited her with significantly improving their exam pass rates. Following the exam results, many expressed their gratitude, with comments like "You saved me today" and "Aunt Marina for president."

While a star among students, Čubrić also received significant recognition from her profession with the "Ivan Filipović" award. In an interview with Večernji list, she discussed the meaning of this prestigious recognition, how young people have changed over the years, the role of artificial intelligence and social media in education, and her continued belief that no technology can replace independent reading, critical thinking, and a love for books.

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Nastva je poziv u kojem rezultate ne mjerite brojem objavljenih radova ili projekata, nego ljudima koje ste odgojili, ohrabrili i potaknuli da vjeruju u sebe.

Čubrić views the "Ivan Filipović" award as recognition for all Croatian language professors who dedicate themselves to their work, often away from public view. She believes teaching success is measured not by published works but by the individuals nurtured, encouraged, and inspired to believe in themselves. She highlighted her collaborations with colleagues and advisors from the Agency for Education, particularly Mirela Barbaroša-Šikić, and expressed gratitude for the nomination coming from the Institute of the Croatian Language, with whom she has long collaborated.

This collaboration, she noted, underscores the importance of connecting science and education, allowing modern linguistic knowledge to reach classrooms. Čubrić strives to bridge the gap between contemporary linguistic insights and daily teaching, ensuring students receive the most relevant and engaging instruction.

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Sve što sam postigla i za što sam nagrađena ostvareno je u suradnji s brojnim kolegicama i kolega iz nastave, u suradnji sa savjetnicima Agencije za odgoj i obrazovanje, sadašnjima i bivšima; posebno ističem svoju savjetnicu Mirelu Barbaroša-Šikić s kojom od početka svoga, zapravo – našega – rada stvaramo priču o hrvatskome jeziku.