At the end of September and the beginning of October, a media campaign was launched to encourage young chemistry and biology teachers to apply for a scholarship program funded by a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, “Olpha”, and one of Latvia’s top medical testing laboratories, “Centrālā Laboratorija.”
The story of last year’s scholarship recipient, Tots Koķis, has been featured in various media outlets, including the magazine “Ir” (#39, 2024), daily newspaper “Diena,” olpha.lv, starpmumsirkimija.lv, and lente.lv. Tots is not only an exceptional chemistry teacher and a student at the University of Latvia but also a research assistant at the ISSP UL’s Spectroscopy Laboratory. He believes that his work in science enhances his effectiveness in the classroom. While at the Spectroscopy Laboratory, Tots has begun developing his bachelor’s thesis. However, he is not yet focused on future plans or how to integrate his scientific work with teaching, stating, "I still have to finish my bachelor’s degree and my master’s degree..."
In an interview, Tots shared insights about his role as a chemistry teacher at Riga State 2nd Gymnasium, the same school he attended as a student. He started teaching there immediately after graduating while still a first-year chemistry student at the University of Latvia. Encouraged by his own chemistry teacher, he chose this career path. Last year, Tots received the “Olpha” (formerly “Olainfarm”) scholarship worth €3,000.
"The closeness in age with my students is an advantage. I hope to inspire them to aim higher," he remarked. Tots teaches chemistry in English for the International Baccalaureate program and leads a group focused on tackling challenging chemistry olympiad problems, applying their knowledge through hands-on lab work.
Tots’ passion for chemistry ignited in elementary school. He accepted the teaching position for its flexibility, allowing him to balance work and studies while enhancing his CV. Now in his third year, he views teaching as a long-term commitment, driven by the joy of seeing students grasp complex concepts.
The purpose of the scholarship is to help cultivate a new generation of young teachers and to encourage students’ interest in natural science subjects at the school level. The total funding for the program is €135,000, allowing for the support of 45 young teachers with a scholarship of €3,000 each over a five-year period.
