Luke Oung from Cambridge International School – Dubai named ‘Most Inspirational Teacher’, receiving top prize of AED 220,000 (US$ 60,000)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: GEMS Education celebrated 44 of its most outstanding teachers in the third annual Mariamma Varkey Award for Inspirational and Outstanding Teaching at GEMS during a red-carpet event held at GEMS World Academy – Dubai in the evening of 4 October 2018. Among those present on the occasion were Fatma Ghanim Al Marri, Member of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer for the Development of Emirati Student Education Programmes at KHDA.
Coinciding with International World Teachers Day on 5 October, the event, which aims to shine the spotlight on the teaching profession, saw five teachers awarded across five categories, with cash prizes totalling AED 570,000.
Dino Varkey, Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education, said: “Our teachers are our most prized assets, and the Mariamma Varkey Award is our way of recognising and celebrating the truly remarkable things they do day in, day out. Passionate, dedicated educators, they are empowering and inspiring our students through their work, selflessly facilitating and accelerating the development and growth of youth across the UAE. In this way, they are shaping the future of not just our younger generations, but also the world as a whole, instilling the ethics and values necessary for our children to be the leaders of tomorrow, and laying the foundations for individual and collective success.
“The Mariamma Varkey Award is particularly close to my heart, as it reflects the high standards set by my grandmother when she first arrived in Dubai as a teacher 60 years ago. It is largely thanks to her efforts and unwavering vision that GEMS Education is what it is today, and it gives us great pleasure to host this special award in her honour.”
Already recognised through the GEMS Teacher of the Month awards at their respective schools, the 44 finalists were put forward for awards across five categories including ‘Most Inspirational Teacher’, ‘Early Years Teaching’, ‘Primary Years Teaching’, ‘Secondary Years Teaching’ and ‘Arabic and Islamic’ – a new entry for 2018.
Luke Oung from Cambridge International School – Dubai was declared the winner of the ‘Most Inspirational Teacher’ award and received a cash prize of AED 220,200 (US$60,000).
On receiving the prize Luke, said: “It still hasn’t quite sunk in to have won this fantastic award, my students were all crossing their fingers for me. I can’t wait to tell them, it really is an honour to have been recognised on such a large scale.”
Katrina Hansen from GEMS United School – Dubai Motor City won the ‘Early and Primary Years’ award, while Rachael Parkinson from GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail received the award in the ‘Secondary Years’ category. The ‘Inclusion’ award was handed to Faith Fauchelle from GEMS Royal Dubai School, and Rayan Safi-Harb from GEMS World Academy – Abu Dhabi was honoured with the ‘Arabic and Islamic’ award. Each winner received AED 88,080 (US$24,000) as a cash prize along with a citation.
Finalists were nominated based on specific criteria and had to demonstrate a remarkable impact upon their students and the wider community, while also employing pioneering, creative, inclusive and innovative pedagogical practices that engage and challenge students in their learning. In addition, nominated teachers had to be reflective practitioners who continue to inspire and motivate students and colleagues while engaging parents in the progress of their children’s learning.
-Ends-
About GEMS Education:
GEMS Education is one of the world’s oldest and largest K-12 private education providers. It is a highly-regarded choice for quality private education in the Middle East and North Africa region. As a company founded in the UAE in 1959, it holds an unparalleled track-record of providing diverse curricula and educational choices to all socio-economic means. Operating 47 owned and operated schools, and a further three managed in the MENA region, GEMS Education currently serves over 115,000 students; and through its growing network of schools as well as charitable contributions is fulfilling the founder’s vision of putting a quality education within the reach of every child.
For more information, please contact:
Yasser Alvi | Georgina Scott
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: (+971) 4 4507 600
Email: yasser.alvi@bm.com | georgina.scott@bm.com
© Press Release 2018Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
