Teacher wins Dhs220,200 prize

DUBAI: GEMS Education ME announced the winner of its inaugural Mariamma Varkey Award for Inspirational and Outstanding Teaching at GEMS on Wednesday evening. Heather Massaqoi from Bradenton Prep Academy was named the winner of the “Most Inspirational Teacher” award. She received a cash prize of Dhs220,200 (US$60,000). Massaqoi hails from Canada and has been teaching in Dubai for many years. Her ways of imparting knowledge impressed the panelists.

GEMS Education Middle East in its Twitter account said, “Congrats to Heather Massaqoi from Bradenton Prep Academy, the winner of the ‘Most Inspirational Teacher’ award! #TeachersMatter…”

Dino Varkey, CEO, GEMS Education presented Massaqoi the prestigious “Most Inspirational Teacher” award.

Dino Varkey said, “The UAE future is taking shape inside the classrooms, through the work of our teachers.” The Gems twitter said.

There were 44 finalists for the 2017 Mariamma Varkey Awards.

Along with Massaqoi, Gems’ other teachers were honoured. Neez Hashim from Our Own English High School, Fujairah has been named the “Secondary Years Teaching” award winner.

Anthony Riley from GEMS Royal Dubai School received the award for “Primary Years Teaching” category.

Sharon Robertson from GEMS Wellington Primary School is the first ever winner for the “Early Years Teaching.”

Suzie Hachez from Cambridge International School, Dubai won the award for “Special Education Teaching.”’

The award is instituted in honour of Mariamma Varkey, the founder of GEMS Education’s first school.

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