FAST Heroes Celebrate International Success: Teacher Kristýna Receives the Prestigious Amazing Teacher Award

The international educational programme FAST Heroes, implemented in the Czech Republic by the non-profit organisation Health Management Institute, z.ú. (HMI), is celebrating another success. At this year’s global FAST Heroes Summit in Bratislava, Mgr. Kristýna Douchová from Primary and Nursery School Štoky received the prestigious Amazing Teacher Award. The jury was impressed by her creative approach to education, exceptional dedication, and active efforts to raise awareness of stroke.

For the Czech FAST Heroes team, this award is a significant achievement and recognises the importance of long-term cooperation with teachers who help children learn knowledge and skills that can ultimately save lives.

When children teach others how to save lives

Kristýna Douchová has taken the FAST Heroes programme far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. She not only teaches her pupils how to recognise the symptoms of stroke and respond correctly, but also encourages them to share what they have learned with their families and wider community.

At a school fair, for example, her pupils introduced visitors to the signs of stroke, demonstrated the FAST method, and explained the basics of first aid. Kristýna is also preparing other original educational activities, including videos through which older pupils will teach their younger classmates.

Kristýna also shares her enthusiasm with other teachers. Through her Instagram profile Školou posedlá and teacher communities on Facebook, she regularly shares her experiences and inspiration from the classroom. Thanks to her recommendations, around 20 additional schools have joined the FAST Heroes programme.

“What I enjoy most about the FAST Heroes programme is that children do not just gain new knowledge — they can also pass it on to others. When I see how enthusiastically they explain the signs of stroke to other people and how proud they are of what they can do, I know that our work has a real purpose. Receiving this international award has brought me enormous joy and, at the same time, motivates me to continue with new activities,” says Kristýna.

Award ceremony in Štoky

In September, the Czech FAST Heroes team visited Primary and Nursery School Štoky to personally present Kristýna with the international Amazing Teacher Award and thank her for her outstanding work.

The award ceremony took place directly in the fifth-grade classroom, in the presence of pupils and the school leadership. It was an opportunity not only to recognise Kristýna’s work, but also to see first-hand how children put their knowledge into practice and learn about health in an engaging and meaningful way.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the school principal and deputy principal for their warm welcome, openness and support for the FAST Heroes programme. We greatly appreciate the school’s approach to creating space for creative teaching and actively involving pupils in the learning process.

The international FAST Heroes educational programme

Through its role as the national coordinator of the FAST Heroes programme, HMI has been working closely with schools, teachers, healthcare professionals and other partners for many years. Our shared goal is to teach children how to recognise the signs of stroke and respond quickly and appropriately. Children then pass on what they have learned to their parents and grandparents, helping to raise health awareness across generations.

The international recognition of Kristýna Douchová is an important achievement for our Czech team and a wonderful example of the important role that enthusiastic and dedicated teachers play in the FAST Heroes programme. Congratulations to Kristýna, and thank you for your outstanding work, creativity and inspiration, which you share with children and fellow teachers alike!

For more information about the programme and how schools can get involved, visit www.fastheroes.com.