Following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1990) the title was modified to National Teacher of the Russian Federation.

The title was conferred, to teachers of Soviet secondary or vocational schools and also to civil servants employed by educational institutions, for worthwhile contributions to the national education system and mainly in teaching communism to children and young people.

[citation needed] The medal has a circular shape and its diameter is 30 mm.

The central part of the front side is occupied by an open book and a torch encircled by the inscription "Народный учитель СССР" (People's Teacher of the USSR) and, above, two bay laurel branches and the hammer and sickle symbol.

On the verso appears the inscription Народный учитель СССР — гордость советского общества (People's Teacher of the USSR – Pride of Soviet society).