Andria Zafirakou wins the Global Teacher Prize 2018

"At the culmination of the 2018 Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF), the ceremony revealing the winner of the annual $1m Global Teacher Prize was held, with the UK's Andria Zafirakou taking the crown. In her winning speech, she thanked her students, teachers, colleagues, and fellow Global Teacher Prize finalists, and delivered a message about the value of teachers everywhere - ""shaping the future of our children"". Andria teaches at Alperton Community School, a secondary school academy in the inner-London borough of Brent. Brent is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country and 130 languages are spoken in its schools. Her pupils come from some of the poorest families in Britain, leading to unique challenges she has overcome with dedication and devotion to her profession. The odds were stacked against her succeeding, but Andria defied them. Learning the basics of many of the 35 languages represented in Alperton’s pupil population, including Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Nigerian and Ghanaian, Andria has been able to reach out to her once marginalised students to earn their trust and, crucially, establish relationships with their parents. Thanks to her efforts, Alperton is now in the top 1 to 5% of the country in terms of qualifications and accreditations. This as a colossal achievement given how low the students’ starting points were and how rapidly they progressed during their five to seven years at the school – a point recognised by the national inspection team." "The education discussion isn't just for academics; you deserve to be part of it too. We aim to help you join the conversation, so you can help inspire global outcomes and drive results. Make noise and never let the world overlook the United Nation's goal of Quality Education for all by 2030. Andria brings artists into schools----- Schools/ Artists/ Supporters: To register to be a part of Artists in Residence and for more info, please visit the website. https://www.artistsinresidence.org.uk/ The programme aims to increase pupil wellbeing and outcomes in schools by providing learners with a more rounded curriculum that promotes arts education. In doing so, we hope to raise pupil aspirations for employment in creative industries, increase pupil life opportunities and satisfaction, prepare pupils for the jobs of the future, and create increased public awareness and engagement in arts education. Please watch, subscribe, and start talking education - it matters. #teachersmatter Discover the inspiring stories of teachers around the world, follow us: ✨www.instagram.com/teacherprize ✨www.facebook.com/teacherprize ✨www.twitter.com/teacherprize ✨www.twitter.com/varkeyfdn "