One of the central figures in the education system is the teacher. As part of the study of the regional history of Crimea, insufficient attention has been paid to the role of educators who have made a special contribution to education. Purpose: study of the role and personal contribution of outstanding teachers of Crimea in the development of the state education system of the XIX – early XX centuries. Materials and methods. The article analyzes archival materials of the State Archive of the Republic of Crimea, printed historical sources. The article discusses the formulary lists, the protocols of pedagogical councils of educational institutions of the Crimean uyezds of the Taurida province, which allow you to recreate a holistic picture of the labor activity of ascetics of public education, to determine the degree of their influence on the educational process and the formation of students’ personalities. Such research methods as analysis, synthesis, systemic, retrospective were used. Results, discussion. The analysis allows us to evaluate the contribution of outstanding teachers to the development of public education on the peninsula. Outstanding teachers of the Crimean uyezds of the Taurida province had a classical higher education and fundamental knowledge in subjects. They were distinguished by diverse interests and were not limited to program teaching. Teachers of Crimea were engaged not only in education, but also in the upbringing of students, enjoyed the respect and authority of all students of educational institutions and were an example for their colleagues. Being highly moral people, they had a huge impact on the formation of the student’s personality. Teachers actively participated in charity. They had insignia and deserved rewards. Conclusion. The activities of Crimean teachers in many respects contributed to the fact that the formation of the state education system in the Crimean uyezds was much more energetic than in the northern districts of the Taurida province.