Kenyan Educator Millicent Cassianes Nominated for 2023 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize
Kenyan teacher Millicent Cassianes has earned a well-deserved nomination for the highly prestigious Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2023, which comes with an impressive cash reward of $1 million USD. Cassianes.
The teacher who serves as an educator at the BL Tezza Special School for the Deaf in Karunga, Kenya, has been selected as one of the top 50 individuals shortlisted for this renowned prize.
The Global Teacher Prize is organized in partnership with UNESCO and in strategic collaboration with Dubai Cares, a global philanthropic organization based in the UAE.
Out of a pool of over 7,000 nominations and applications received from across 130 countries worldwide, Millicent Cassianes has emerged as a standout nominee. In the next stage of the competition, the list of contenders will be narrowed down to the top ten finalists, a selection that promises to elevate the standing of the teaching profession.
The ultimate winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2023 will be chosen by the Global Teacher Prize Academy, a distinguished group of individuals. Their decision will be announced later this year, underlining the profound impact of educators like Cassianes on the future of education.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini congratulated Millicent Cassianes and emphasized the importance of recognizing and honoring teachers. Giannini noted that teachers play a vital role in preparing children and youth to navigate a rapidly changing world, ultimately transforming education for the better.
Millicent Cassianes’ impressive resume reflects her commitment to uplift neglected children with special needs in her village, providing them access to education and improving their living conditions. She specializes in special needs education, focusing on learning disabilities, and her mission is to offer these children a brighter future. She founded the BL Tezza Special School for the Deaf with just a few students and garnered support from various organizations through community outreach initiatives. Cassianes employed innovative teaching methods, including the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and practical projects, resulting in the academic excellence of her students.
The Global Teacher Prize, now in its eighth year, stands as the largest award of its kind. It is open to teachers actively working with children in compulsory schools or those between the ages of five and eighteen. The eligibility criteria extend to teachers handling children aged 4 and up in an Early Years government-recognized curriculum, as well as part-time teachers and online course instructors. To qualify, teachers must commit to at least 10 hours of teaching per week and intend to remain in the teaching profession for the next five years.
