The $1 million prize, the largest of its kind, is an initiative of the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO
The shortlist for the prestigious GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize has been unveiled, showcasing 50 exceptional educators from around the globe. These individuals were selected from a pool of over 5,000 nominations and applications, representing 89 countries. Now in its ninth year, the Global Teacher Prize continues to recognize the transformative role of teachers worldwide.
The $1 million prize, the largest of its kind, is an initiative of the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO. It aims to honor one outstanding teacher who has made a significant contribution to the profession and to highlight the vital role that teachers play in shaping society. By showcasing the inspiring stories of educators who have impacted students’ lives, the prize aims to spotlight the exceptional work of teachers everywhere. Since its inception, the Global Teacher Prize has garnered over 100,000 applications from across the globe.
The top 50 finalists represent a diverse range of countries and regions:
Africa: Ali Alfred Mokgalaka (South Africa), Dominic Ming’ate Orina (Kenya), Faith Aku Dzakpasu (Ghana), Kayode Adewale (Nigeria), Mahamba Sebastian Ihonde (Tanzania), Stella Gyimaah Larbi (Ghana), Tionge Mtambo (Malawi).
Asia: Gayatri Narasimhan (Oman), Junmerth Jorta (Philippines), Mansour Al Mansour (Saudi Arabia), Mohammad Imran Khan Mewati (India), Moza Mohammed Rashid Saadan Al-Hafiti (UAE), Muhammad Akbar Rafsanzani (Indonesia), Muhammad Nazmi Bin Rosli (Malaysia), Rumeysa Çevlik (Turkey), Shinya Sanzen (Japan), Zainab Saeed Salman (Bahrain), Zakiah Al-Lahyani (Saudi Arabia).
Australasia: Brett Dascombe (Australia), Rosie Nicole Connelly (Australia), Subash Chandar K (New Zealand).
Europe: Andreja Pavlović (Serbia), Ángel Luis González Serrano (Spain), Céline Haller (France), Danilo Kovač (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Giuseppe Fiamingo (Italy), Ile Mihajlovski (North Macedonia), Ioanna Zafeiriou (Greece), Lesia Pavliuk (Ukraine), Lucas Schildknecht (Luxembourg), Mairi Godley (UK), Marek Grzywna (Poland), Mohamed Al Hashoum (Austria).
Latin America: Hans Ariel Díaz Herrera (Chile), Helder Guastti da Silva (Brazil), Jesus Castañeda Rivera (Mexico), Jorge Patric Peña Guevara (Ecuador), Karina Alejandra Sarro (Argentina), Lucas Daniel Vogel (Argentina), Luciana Ortega (Chile), Mayteé Guadalupe Gonzalez Reyna (Mexico), Melecio Tito Mamani (Peru), Ramón Majé Floriano (Colombia), Zamir Montero (Colombia).
North America: Ann Marie Vanneste (Canada), Carla Neely (US), Erick Hueck (US), Marilyn Pryle (US), Sequoyah Wharton (US), Tiffany Pace (US).
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Global Teacher Prize and Chairman of the Varkey Foundation, expressed his congratulations, saying, “The Global Teacher Prize was created to spotlight the critical role of education in addressing the major challenges of our time – from combating climate change to reducing inequality and navigating technological change. I congratulate all 50 finalists, who are joining a global community of educators leading the way to build a better future.”
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, emphasized the importance of recognizing teachers in the face of global challenges. “In a time of global teacher shortages, challenging conditions, and technological advances, recognising and investing in teachers is essential to building a just, inclusive, and sustainable future,” she stated.
Lisa Crausby, Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, also voiced support for the initiative, highlighting the transformative power of teachers. “At GEMS Education, we see first-hand the impact that teachers have on the lives of young people worldwide. We are deeply honoured to partner with the Global Teacher Prize to recognize the dedication and resilience of teachers everywhere.”
The prize is open to educators teaching children between the ages of 5 and 18, with eligibility extending to those working part-time or teaching online. Teachers are assessed based on their innovative practices, impact on the community, and contributions to the profession. The prize aims to elevate respect for the teaching profession globally.
The next phase of the prize will narrow the finalists down to a top 10, to be revealed in late January. The winner will be announced at the World Government Summit in Dubai, held from February 11-13.
