Daniela Vacarciuc, of the Chisinau theoretical high school “Vasile Alecsandri”, was named the Teacher of the Year 2010. Another two winners of the contest are Emilia Cucuruzac, of the Ungheni kindergarten No. 9, who won the title of Educator the Year, and Daniela State, of the Chisinau theoretical high school “M. Berezovschi”, who became the Teacher of the Year. The laureates took their certificates and money awards of 50,000 lei during a festivity held to mark the Professional Day of Education Employees. Another nine teachers from the municipality of Chisinau and other settlements were awarded distinctions for virtue, skillfulness, ingeniousness, professionalism and pedagogical culture. The Ministry of Education also handed over 18 diplomas for special contribution in teaching, Info-Prim Neo reports. In his speech, Minister of Education Leonid Bujor said by their daily work, the teachers and educators manage to cultivate in society a qualitative teaching practice. “Besides giving knowledge to the children, you contribute to the development of their creative thinking, teach them to take decisions and be responsible for them. You help them realize their potential and help built the future,” he said. During the event, Prime Minister Vlad Filat handed over diplomas of the Government, including to the youngest professorial manager and the teacher with the longest seniority. About 1,000 teachers took part in the Teacher of the Year 2010 contest.