World’s Best Teachers” | 8 Teachers Who Won “$1 Million” Prize For Changing The World!
The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award organized by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO. Often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Teaching,” this prize highlights the critical role teachers play in shaping lives and communities. The award and prize was launched in 2014. The prize has offered a whopping US $1 million to outstanding teachers who have made a significant impact in education. Over 5,000 nominations from 127 countries were received in its first year. The phenomenal teachers are judged by experts from a variety of fields, including education, journalism, and entrepreneurship. Let’s look at some of the amazing educators who have won this prestigious award.
1. Nancie Atwell (United States) – 2015
Nancie Atwell from the United States was the first to win the Global Teacher Prize in 2015. She introduced a unique way of teaching English by allowing her students to choose what they wanted to read and write about, which boosted their engagement and skills. Her innovative methods resulted in her students reading 40 books a year and writing 21 pieces across different genres.
In 1990, she founded the Center for Teaching and Learning, a non-profit school aimed at developing new teaching methods. The school helps children from various socioeconomic backgrounds, with 97% of her students continuing on to university. Nancie’s approach has inspired educators worldwide.
“Teaching language arts is one of the great careers…meaning-filled, worthwhile, and interesting.”
2. Hanan Al Hroub (Palestine) – 2016
Hanan Al Hroub, a teacher from Palestine, won the award in 2016. Growing up in a refugee camp, she witnessed violence firsthand. Hanan was inspired to teach after her own children were traumatized by a shooting incident. Hanan introduced a play-based learning approach, which she detailed in her book We Play and Learn.
Her method of promoting peace and cooperation among students has helped reduce violence in Palestinian schools. Hanan’s work reached many conferences and seminars, inspiring others to adopt her methods.
“We just want peace; we want our children to enjoy their childhoods in peace.”
3. Maggie MacDonnell (Canada) – 2017
Maggie MacDonnell, from Canada, dedicated her work to an isolated Inuit village in the Canadian Arctic, where harsh conditions and high suicide rates among young people made her job particularly challenging. She created life skills programs aimed at empowering girls and set up community programs like nutrition and fitness centers to address issues like depression and substance abuse.
Her efforts to transform the lives of young Inuit people have dramatically improved school attendance and health in the community. Maggie’s initiatives have empowered young girls and created a lasting impact in her village.
“Teaching was the ideal way to connect to youth and help them reach their goals.”
4. Andria Zafirakou (United Kingdom) – 2018
Andria Zafirakou, a teacher from the United Kingdom, won the Global Teacher Prize in 2018 for her remarkable work at Alperton Community School, located in one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the country. In Brent, where 130 languages are spoken, Andria faced the challenges of working with students from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of them live in overcrowded homes and experience gang violence.
Despite these obstacles, Andria redesigned the entire curriculum to better engage her students. As an art and textiles teacher, she connected with her students by learning the basics of many of their languages, which helped her earn their trust. She also worked with other teachers to create a curriculum that resonated with her students’ backgrounds and experiences.
Her efforts led to dramatic improvements in student outcomes, with Alperton now ranked in the top 1 to 5% of schools in the country for qualifications. Andria’s work extended beyond academics, as she introduced girls-only sports and launched a Somali school choir, empowering students in unique ways. Alperton was awarded specialist status in visual arts, thanks to her initiatives. She helped the school’s math department win the TES 2017 Maths Team of the Year award by incorporating real-life situations into lessons.
“There is no other job like being a teacher. In what other profession are you selfless and completely devoted to creating the right opportunities for another person to achieve?”
5. Peter Tabichi (Kenya) – 2019
Peter Tabichi, a teacher from a remote village in Kenya, won the Global Teacher Prize in 2019. He taught in a school with limited resources, including only one computer and poor internet access, yet he helped his students achieve great success in national science competitions. His students designed a project to help the blind and deaf measure objects, earning them national recognition.
Despite challenging conditions, Peter used his income to support underprivileged students and encouraged them to focus on STEM subjects. He also mentored his students for the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair, where they excelled in competition.
“Seeing my learners grow in knowledge, skills, and confidence is my greatest joy.”
6. Ranjitsinh Disale (India) – 2020
Ranjitsinh Disale from India revolutionized education for girls in his village by translating textbooks into their native language and embedding QR codes for interactive learning. His efforts led to 100% attendance for girls and an end to teenage marriages in his village.
Ranjitsinh’s idea of QR-coded textbooks was so successful that it was adopted across India. His “Let’s Cross the Borders” project also connected 19,000 students from conflict zones around the world to promote peace through learning.
“Teachers are the real change-makers who are changing the lives of their students.”
7. Keishia Thorpe (United States) – 2021
Keishia Thorpe, an English teacher from the United States, transformed the lives of immigrant and refugee students. She redesigned the English curriculum to better suit her students’ backgrounds and helped them win millions of dollars in college scholarships. Her program has a 90% college graduation rate, and she has helped over 500 students access fully-funded higher education through her non-profit organization.
“In what other profession are you completely devoted to creating the right opportunities for another person to achieve?”
8. Sister Zeph (Pakistan) – 2023
Sister Zeph, a Pakistani teacher, founded a school for underprivileged children in the courtyard of her home at the young age of 13. Her dedication to education has transformed the lives of more than 200 students. She provided vocational training for over 6,000 women. Despite facing personal challenges, she continued to fight for gender equality and education in her community.
With her prize money, she plans to build a school on 10 acres of land and create a shelter for orphans.
“Teaching is not just a profession; it’s a calling to inspire, nurture, and empower the next generation.”
Conclusion
These incredible teachers have shown that education can be a powerful tool for changing lives and communities. The Global Teacher Prize celebrates their contributions, reminding us of the crucial role teachers play in shaping a better future. By going beyond the classroom, these educators have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire the world.
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