A British school teacher won a highly-competitive USD 1 million teaching prize today for her work with inner-city children in London, helping students feel welcome and safe in a borough with one of the highest murder rates in the country.
Andria Zafirakou beat out some 30,000 applicants from around the world to win the annual Global Teacher Prize, which honors an exceptional teacher who's made a significant contribution to the profession.
The Alperton Community School teacher was awarded for her work in the London borough of Brent, one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country. Her students come from some of the poorest families in Britain, and many of their parents don't necessarily speak English.
She is the first British teacher to win the award.
British Prime Minister Theresa May sent her a video message praising her "enormous dedication and creativity."
"Being a great teacher requires resilience, ingenuity and a generous heart," the prime minister said. "These are the qualities that you share with your students every day. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do."
"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," she said. "That's how phenomenal they are." She was awarded the prize during a star-studded ceremony Sunday in Dubai hosted by Trevor Noah of the "Daily Show."
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