Dagnija Kalniņa is a sports teacher at Jēkabpils State Gymnasium whose work continues well beyond regular lessons. She organizes sports tournaments and the annual Sports Day, ensures the school teams participate in Jēkabpils regional competitions, arranges adaptation activities for 7th and 10th grade students, and leads Olympic Day and European Week of Sport events each year. She also takes part in national competitions for state gymnasiums.
Yet the most meaningful part of Dagnija’s work is that students see her not only as a teacher, but also as a trusted support person — someone they can approach, talk to, and receive encouragement from.
Dagnija has been working at Jēkabpils State Gymnasium since 2016. Her path to teaching was no coincidence:
“Since childhood, I was very athletic and active — I especially loved volleyball and long-distance running. But the real turning point came in high school. While studying at Zasa Secondary School, we traveled to various sports competitions, and the PE teacher often entrusted me with looking after the younger students.”
On one of those occasions, Dagnija realized this was exactly what she wanted to do in the future — to be with children, teach them, support and motivate them, spend active time together, and strive for the highest goals. After graduating from high school, she purposefully enrolled at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education and earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2007, opening the door to her teaching career.
During her own school years, Dagnija also had a strong role model — her sports teacher Jānis Kokins, whom she calls her source of inspiration. His attitude and approach were among the key reasons why she herself became a sports teacher.
Movement for Everyone
Dagnija works according to a simple principle: the goal is not to “filter out” the most athletic students, but to ensure that everyone can take part in movement and experience progress at their own level.
She says there will always be children who feel confident in sports and others who struggle. Therefore, the teacher’s task is not to set the same bar for everyone, but to create a safe environment where students can try, make mistakes, and grow.
In gymnastics, for example, she looks for ways to give each child a first “safe task.”
“In acrobatics, I don’t force a child to do something they are truly afraid of. If a forward roll causes panic, we step back and start with safer elements — like a bridge or a shoulder stand. When a child begins to feel successful, they can gradually grow.”
Moments when a child succeeds and their eyes start to shine bring the greatest sense of fulfillment to the teacher.
Dagnija also encourages peer learning: she pairs more athletic students with those who find it more difficult. The stronger student does not simply perform the task, but teaches and supports their partner. This builds both responsibility and mutual respect. For Dagnija, it is important that PE lessons foster teamwork and shared progress, not just competition.
A Safe Space Through Volleyball
Listening plays a major role in Dagnija’s work. The idea for a volleyball club for middle and high school girls grew directly from students’ needs. She has been leading the club since 2022.
She recalls that she herself loved volleyball at school, yet girls were often left “in the background,” and there were not volleyball opportunities for girls in all age groups within the region.
So Dagnija took the initiative — she developed a program, submitted it for approval, received permission, and started the training sessions.
But this club is not only about practice and improving technique. She sees it as a safe and supportive space where girls can come after school to be among their peers — to move, release tension, and go home with a lighter mind.
The girls who have attended the club for several years acknowledge how meaningful this opportunity is, thanking Dagnija for the support, motivation, and environment she has created.
National-Level Success
Dagnija’s work is also appreciated by the boys of the school, who are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the national-level volleyball tournament “Top Cup,” organized by the Latvian Volleyball Federation.
In this competition, the best teams from Latvia’s cities and regions compete, playing several matches in one intense day. For two consecutive years — 2024 and 2025 — the boys of Jēkabpils State Gymnasium have won 1st place.
Dagnija admits that competition days are long, exhausting, and emotionally intense. A teacher experiences every point and every mistake alongside the team.
Yet one moment stands out the most: the boys’ pride in their victory and their tears of joy. These emotions remind her why she does this work — which reaches far beyond the school sports hall.
Recognized Contribution
Dagnija’s broader contribution extends beyond her own school.
“My goal is that sports teachers across the region work as a team — if someone needs help, we are there to support each other,” she says.
She currently serves as a methodology coordinator in Jēkabpils region and has previously worked as a field coordinator and school methodologist, sharing experience, materials, and practical solutions that make everyday work easier for sports teachers.
In 2025, her contribution was recognized by Jēkabpils State Gymnasium, which nominated her for the Ministry of Education and Science competition in the category “Sports Teacher of the Year 2025.”
“When the school nominated me, my first thought was — I’m simply doing my job,” she admits. “At the same time, it is a feeling of being noticed and appreciated. It gives motivation to continue — to realize that what I do together with the children truly matters.”
A Modern Environment with EU Support
Of course, such achievements are only possible with a suitable learning environment. The sports hall of Jēkabpils State Gymnasium was reopened at the end of 2023 after renovation carried out with support from European Union Structural Funds.
Dagnija acknowledges that this investment was essential:
“The previous sports hall had served its time. Now we work in a safe, well-equipped, and organized environment that positively impacts both teachers and students.”
During the 2014–2020 EU funds period, municipalities implemented projects modernizing school infrastructure and material-technical resources — including sports infrastructure — ensuring safer, more modern, and higher-quality learning and physical activity opportunities for students.
Investments in Latvian school infrastructure continue in the EU Funds 2021–2027 planning period.
This story was created with the support of EU Funds.
