Global Teacher Prize

Global Teacher Prize: Celebrating Excellence in Education

Recognizing the profound impact educators have on shaping the future, the Global Teacher Prize was established. Organized by the Varkey Foundation, this prestigious award shines a spotlight on exceptional teachers who have made significant contributions to their students and communities. Through their dedication, innovation, and passion, these educators inspire not only their students but also the broader global community.

Origins and Purpose

The Global Teacher Prize was founded in 2014 by Sunny Varkey, the founder of the Varkey Foundation, with the mission of elevating the status of the teaching profession. The organization operates under the belief that educators should be recognized for their critical role in society, much like other professions such as medicine, engineering, or law. The $1 million prize, awarded annually, aims to bring attention to the remarkable work of teachers worldwide, thereby encouraging more people to join and stay in the teaching profession.

The Varkey Foundation itself is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving global education standards. It operates on the principle that every child deserves access to quality education, and the Global Teacher Prize is one of its flagship initiatives aimed at promoting this ideal.

The Global Teacher PrizeWiki Commons

Criteria and Selection Process

The selection process for the Global Teacher Prize is rigorous and thorough. Teachers from around the world are invited to apply, or be nominated, for the award. The criteria for selection include a teacher’s impact on their students, their contributions to the community, their innovative teaching practices, and their efforts to improve the teaching profession.

Each year, the selection committee reviews thousands of applications, narrowing them down to a shortlist of 50 candidates. From this list, 10 finalists are selected, and eventually, the winner is chosen by a panel of prominent individuals from various fields, including education, business, and philanthropy. The selection process ensures that the prize goes to a teacher who has made a significant and measurable difference in the lives of their students and community.

Beyond the financial reward, the prize brings international recognition to the winners and their schools and the stories of these outstanding educators serve as inspiration to teachers and education stakeholders around the world. By highlighting innovative and effective teaching practices, the Global Teacher Prize helps to foster a global exchange of ideas and strategies aimed at improving education for all.

For example, past winners have included teachers who have worked in challenging environments, such as refugee camps or under-resourced rural areas, and have nonetheless succeeded in delivering high-quality education. These teachers have often overcome significant obstacles, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to their students’ success.

By elevating the status of teachers, the prize encourages governments, educational institutions, and the public to recognize and support the teaching profession more fully. It advocates for better training, resources, and policies that can help teachers succeed in their mission to educate the next generation.

LinkedinGlobal Teacher Prize

As the Global Teacher Prize continues to honor exceptional educators, the 2024 finalists showcase a diverse array of talents and impact. Among the finalists are Clinton Okechukwu from Nigeria who, as a student,  joined the Retina Initiative, a non-profit focused on eradicating avoidable blindness, where he took on managerial duties as social media director, Alanna Sethi from Canada who is the CEO and founder of HOPE (Helping Our Planet Earth), a youth-led non-profit organization which she uses to make mental health support available to young people internationally through mental health education, peer support and youth leadership training, Grace Magny-Fokam from the USA who has founded various initiatives to promote technology education and address climate change, aiming to uplift minority youth and Jennifer Obiorah from Nigeria who, through her organization, TeamUpcyclers, empowers marginalized communities by transforming waste into wealth, training thousands, and funding start-ups in recycling businesses.

Said the non-profit, "Our finalists this year have significantly influenced their communities and beyond, spanning from environmental stewardship to social justice, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and poverty alleviation. Selected from across the globe, these remarkable students are true champions of positive change."

To find out about the Top 50 Finalists for the Global Student Prize 2024, all of whom have an incredible story, visit the Global Teacher Prize website: https://globalteacherprize.org/pages/2024-finalists-globalstudentprize