British teacher wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize 2018
In a glittering awards ceremony, British teacher Andria Zafirakou was crowned winner of the Global Teacher Prize in Dubai. Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton presented her with the award.
22 March 2018
Andria Zafirakou, an art and textiles teacher from Alperton Community School in Brent has been named as the winner of the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2018 in Dubai.
Related news:
In her own arts class, she worked with an “Artist in Residence” (Armando Alemdar) to creatively redesign the art curriculum to help pupils cope with the responsibilities of their complex home circumstances. As a result, Alperton has been awarded specialist school status in visual arts.In a special congratulatory video message broadcast into the ceremony hall, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, said, “Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity, and a generous heart. These are the qualities that you share with your students everyday. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do”.
For related news and features, visit our Education & Schools section. Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory
One exceptional teacher
Now in its fourth year, the US $1 million award is the largest prize of its kind, and was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society.Ms Zafirakou teaches in an inner-city school in Brent where many of her students come from crowded homes shared with multiple families. A 2011 school census found that 149 languages were spoken in the borough.Redesigning the curriculum
As a member of the school’s senior leadership team, Ms Zafirakou has transformed her school’s approach to reach often-isolated young people. She realised that a one-size-fits-all curriculum would not reach students so she set about redesigning it from top to bottom, alongside fellow teachers, in order to make it relevant to her pupil’s lives. Watch her winner's speech here:She helped a music teacher launch a Somali school choir and created alternative timetables to allow girls-only sports that would not offend conservative communities, leading the girls’ cricket team on to victory and winning the McKenzie Cup.Related news:
- Education reform in England: understanding the changes
- British education: delivering STEM skills for the future
- How to apply for a school place in England
In her own arts class, she worked with an “Artist in Residence” (Armando Alemdar) to creatively redesign the art curriculum to help pupils cope with the responsibilities of their complex home circumstances. As a result, Alperton has been awarded specialist school status in visual arts.In a special congratulatory video message broadcast into the ceremony hall, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, said, “Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity, and a generous heart. These are the qualities that you share with your students everyday. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do”.
Shining a spotlight on the important role of teachers
Four times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton was involved in a stunt where he raced to the Global Teacher Prize 2018 ceremony escorted by three Dubai Police supercars. He arrived just in time to deliver the Global Teacher Prize trophy on stage.Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, said, “I want to congratulate Andria Zafirakou for winning the Global Teacher Prize 2018. I hope Andria’s story will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world every day.”The other nine finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2018 were:- Nurten Akkuş a pre-school teacher and principal at Ayvacık Pre-School, Samsun, Turkey
- Marjorie Brown, history teacher at Roedean School, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Luis Gutierrez, social science teacher at the Gerardo Paredes School, Suba, Bogotá Colombia
- Jesus Insilada, English and creative writing teacher at Caninguan National High School in Lambunao, Iloilo, Philippines
- Glenn Lee, engineering and technology teacher from Waialua High & Intermediate School, Waialua, Hawaii, United States
- Diego Mahfouz Faria Lima, director of Darcy Ribeiro Municipal School, in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Koen Timmers, lecturer at PXL university college in Hasselt and a computer science teacher at CVO De Verdieping school in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
- Eddie Woo, maths teacher from Cherrybrook Technology High School, Sydney, Australia
- Barbara Anna Zielonka, English teacher at Nannestad High School, Norway
For related news and features, visit our Education & Schools section. Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory ©2024 Re:locate magazine, published by Profile Locations, Spray Hill, Hastings Road, Lamberhurst, Kent TN3 8JB. All rights reserved. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of Profile Locations. Profile Locations accepts no liability for the accuracy of the contents or any opinions expressed herein.
