The 1st Teachers’ Meeting of the Onassis Public Schools Network was successfully held at Onassis Ready

The 1st Teachers’ Meeting of the Onassis Public Schools Network was held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Onassis Ready, bringing together 300 teachers from the Network’s first 12 high schools for a day of collaboration, exchange of ideas, and joint planning for the future of the initiative. In his welcome address, the President of the Onassis Foundation, Anthony S. Papadimitriou, emphasized: “The creation of the first twelve Onassis Public Schools, as you know, is not an intervention that changes the character of public education. On the contrary, it is based on respecting it. The schools remain public and fully retain the status of their teaching staff. The objective is simple yet crucial: a modern, open school capable of inspiring students, teachers, and parents. At the heart of this effort are all of you, the people who know the daily lives of children, understand the needs of the community, and can turn ideas into meaningful learning. Another key aspect of this effort is supporting teachers with scholarships for postgraduate studies, targeted training, and modern courses that will contribute to their professional and personal development.

The welcome address was followed by three inspirational speeches, delivered by Panagiotis Giannakis, a leading Greek basketball coach and former international player; Theofanis Tasis, professor of philosophy and researcher in contemporary ethical thought; and Byron Theodoropoulos, stand-up comedian, author and mathematician. The three speakers offered distinct yet deeply complementary perspectives on education, inspiration, and the role of educators today.

The 1st Teachers’ Meeting of the Onassis Public Schools Network was a day filled with creativity and meaningful networking; a starting point for new ideas and a shared vision, paving the way for a school environment more open, more vibrant, and profoundly human.