Penza, 6 February 2015. PenzaNews. Svetlana Kopeshkina, the regional Minister of Education, has received the honorary medal “In Praise of Penza Land,” said Victor Rubtsov, governor’s staff department leader and chief of the regional government.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

Earlier, it was announced February 6 will be the last day of Svetlana Kopeshkina in the office due to her decision to retire.

The governor’s honorary medal “In Praise of Penza Land” is awarded to citizens who have distinguished themselves in economy, science, culture, arts, education, enlightenment, health care and civil rights.

The candidacy for the new award may be presented to the governor from members of the regional government, leaders of regional state institutions, as well as town administrations.

Each award is accompanied by a state certificate and a special remark in their employment record,

and officially presented by the governor himself or, on his request, by one of the members of the regional government.

The award must be worn on the left side of the chest below other awards and medals of the Russian Federation.

Svetlana (Konstantinovna) Kopeshkina was born on January 4, 1958, in Penza city.

In 1982, she graduated from the Belinsky Penza State Pedagogical Institute as a physics teacher, and in 1996, she majored in Education Management at the Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University.

From August 1975 to February 1991, she worked as a senior Pioneer leader in the school No. 52, and led extracurricular activities.

From February 1991 to August 2004, she took over as the director of the school No. 73.

In 2003, she was awarded the title “Honored Teacher of the Russian Federation.”

From August 2004 to May 15, 2009, Svetlana Kopeshkina was first deputy Minister, and later Minister of Education of the Penza region.

On September 3, 2012, she was dismissed from the position at the end of the operational meeting on providing schools with textbooks.

From September 2012 to January 2013, she worked as a deputy director of scientific and methodical work organization in Penza multidisciplinary college, and re-appointed as the minister of education of the Penza region in January.