By Gavin Mackintosh-
A teacher from north London celebrating being selected as the one million pound winner of a competition to find the world’s best teacher is a pupil expert.
Andria Zafirakou, who teaches art and textiles in Alperton Community School has been praised for her work with the local community as well as with pupils.
Zafirakou is still being celebrated after becoming the first UK teacher to win the prize worth $1m (£720,000).
The first UK winner of the Global Teacher Prize, Zafirakou beat teachers nominated from more than 170 countries, and has been hailed as a pupil expert. A colleague of Zafirakou who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of media protocols, told The Eye Of Media.Com: ” Zafirakou truly deserved the prize, saying she is a brilliant teacher is an understatement. She understand what makes pupils tick in a special way, and takes the entire individual in the pupil into account when nurturing them.”.
”She is a dedicated and passionate teacher who is fully dedicated to developing her pupils. She has had a personal impact on many children in her school” Zafirakou redesigned the curriculum with fellow teachers, increasing its relevance to pupils. She also helped set up girls-only sports clubs for those from conservative communities and is also known for taking the time to understand students’ lives by visiting their homes and even joining them on the bus..
The prize, launched in 2015 by an education charity, the Varkey Foundation, was set up to give more status to the teaching profession, with an Oscars-style awards ceremony in Dubai.
She said many students live in “challenging circumstances” and have “tough lives”.
“What is amazing, is whatever issues they are having at home, whatever is missing from their life or causing them pain, our school is theirs,” she told the audience.
“I know if our school could open at six o’clock in the morning, there would be a queue of children waiting outside at five o’clock in the morning. That’s how phenomenal they are.”
Theresa May sent a video message, May said: “You have shown enormous dedication and creativity in your work.
“Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity and a generous heart.
“These are the qualities that you share with your students every day. So, thank you for all you have done and continue to do.”
Zafirakou will receive one million US dollars (around £715,000) and be asked to serve as a global ambassador for the Varkey Foundation.
She will be required to remain working as a classroom teacher for at least five years and will be paid the prize money in equal instalments.
GUESTS
Among guests of the evening late last week to honour the impressive teacher wererRacing driver Lewis Hamilton, Olympic champion Mo Farah, former US vice president Al Gore and former UK prime minister Tony Blair were part of the event honouring the north London teacher.
In her acceptance speech, she said schools should be “safe havens” and called for greater recognition for the value of arts subjects in school.
She warned of “deprivation” and “tough lives” where “children may not eat well because their lunch boxes are empty”.
But she said school could make a great positive difference – particular through creative subjects.
“Too often we neglect this power of the arts to actually transform lives, particularly in the poorest communities.” The Eye Of Media.Com are expecting to secure an interview with the highly demanded teacher before the end of the week, in order to discover more about her extraordinary motivations and passion that has earned her this high prize and accolade.
