Educational Psychologist — 2026: Experts and Organizers from the Regions Discuss Current Issues of the Competitive Movement

On September 28, as part of the federal stage of the All-Russian Professional Skills Competition "Educational Psychologist — 2026," a round table "Development of Regional Stages of the Competition" was held, organized for members of the support team. Experts and organizers from Russian regions discussed current issues of holding regional stages, exchanged effective practices, and outlined ways to improve the competitive movement.

The participants' attention focused on the organization and conduct of regional stages, as well as the practice of preparing winners for the federal level. Speakers included representatives of Mordovia, the Luhansk People's Republic, and the Astrakhan, Leningrad, and Kursk Regions.

Key trends and discussion

Participants noted an important evolution of the competition: a transition "from a competition of orators and 'artists' to a competition of reflective specialists, from brightness to the thinking practitioner." Particular emphasis was placed on depth, substantiation, and originality of content, as well as on the dissemination of best practices.

The following effective solutions were highlighted during the discussion:

• Creating communication channels for winners and participants of previous years.
• Developing communities of psychologists and supporting contestants.
• Introducing flexible mentoring programs and holding professional development seminars.
• Financial support for winners.

Among the practices presented: competitions of psychological services and master classes in Crimea, the creation of "contestant schools" in the Leningrad Region, as well as the publication of collections of best psychological practices and supervision sessions in the Astrakhan Region.

Challenges and growth points

Participants noted typical difficulties requiring additional methodological support. One of the key issues was distinguishing between the concepts of "practice" and "program," as well as their clearer concretization.

Results and recommendations

Following the round table, it was recommended to describe best practices in the journal "Bulletin of the Psychological Service of Education." Participants agreed that the competition provides a powerful impetus for the career growth of specialists and identified priority areas for interregional exchange of experience. Information was exchanged about upcoming events held at MSUPE.

Moderator: Maria Antonovna Odintsova, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Head of the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy of Distance Learning, Faculty of Distance Learning, MSUPE.

Speakers:

• Olga Veroslavovna Antuseva (Republic of Mordovia)
• Elena Vladimirovna Baraban (Luhansk People's Republic)
• Natalia Valerievna Dorofeeva (Astrakhan Region)
• Lyudmila Evgenievna Zakharova (Leningrad Region)
• Anna Vladimirovna Tuboltseva (Kursk Region)