A. M. von-Wilken – the first director of the Vyatka Teachers' Institute

Introduction. Russian education at all stages of its development has always relied on the dedicated efforts of numerous educators: teachers, organizers of public schools and other educational institutions, as well as textbook authors. One of these workers of enlightenment was a prominent figure in Russian education in the first third of the twentieth century Alexander Modestovich von Wilken (1874-1934). The example of his life and practical pedagogical activity represent an enduring value over the years and a kind of example for modern teachers. Materials and methods. The author uses as research methods: analysis of historical and pedagogical, local history and memoir literature, biographical and historical methods, axiological (value) approach to the study of historical and pedagogical material. Results. The need to open a teachers' institute in the provincial town of Vyatka at the beginning of the XX century was explained by the lack of an educational institution for the training of teachers in this region. The tireless, selfless work of the first director of the Institute von Wilken contributed to the emergence of the first qualified specialists in the field of primary school education, served as an incentive for the development of general and special education in the Vyatka province. Despite the difficulties of wartime and the accompanying shortage of funds and equipment, the Vyatka Teachers' Institute, headed by von Wilken, coped with tasks assigned to it; in addition to the graduation of teachers, the Institute became the center of education in the region. The teaching staff of the Institute included the best teachers of the time. Director was forced to leave it in 1917, and his further fruitful educational and organizational work was carried out in Kazan. His activity has received recognition, which was evidenced by the assignment of the title "Hero of Labor" to him. Conclusion. The activity of von Wilken has left a bright mark in the history of Russian education. He went down in the history of Vyatka province as one of the most outstanding representatives of local education. The history of his life and work, as well as the history of the Vyatka Teachers' Institute deserves further comprehensive study