In a testament to her dedication and impact in the field of education, Gina Justus, Head of English, Phase Three, Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Girls’ Branch, Sharjah, has been named the regional winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards is a prestigious global competition that recognizes the exemplary contributions of teachers worldwide. Now in its sixth year, the competition highlights the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the lives of their students and preparing them for the future. It provides an opportunity for students, parents, and peers to nominate outstanding primary or secondary teachers for their unwavering commitment to education.

As the regional winner, Gina Justus will receive £500 worth of books for her class, a trophy, participation in a regional awards ceremony, and recognition for herself and her school throughout the upcoming year. Her name will also appear on a 'thank you' page in new Cambridge textbooks.

Gina's recognition as the regional winner in MENA is attributed to her exceptional mentorship and dedication to charitable initiatives. The judging panel commended her commitment to her department, where she regularly organizes and conducts workshops to elevate teaching standards. Additionally, Gina is actively involved in charity work with the NGO Reach Worldwide, having sponsored five children deprived of education.

Expressing her gratitude, Gina Justus stated, "I've always had a passion for teaching, and to be recognized with this award is a great honor. In my seventeen-year career at Our Own English High School, I've enjoyed exploring innovative teaching and learning strategies. It's crucial that all children have equal opportunities to learn. I am immensely proud of the work Reach Worldwide is doing to ensure deprived children gain access to education and nurture their curiosity."

The 2024 edition of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards received a record-breaking number of nominations, with 14,840 submissions from 141 countries worldwide, surpassing the previous record by over 1,000 nominations.

Rod Smith, Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, emphasized the importance of celebrating the teaching profession and recognizing the hard work of educators worldwide. He congratulated Gina for her remarkable achievements, which he believes will inspire teachers and students across the MENA region.

Members of the public now have the opportunity to vote for their favorite teacher among the nine regional winners to determine the Global Winner of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2024. The deadline for voting is 6th May 2024, and the Global Winner will be announced on 29th May 2024.

To learn more about Cambridge and cast your vote for your favorite teacher in the competition, please visit  dedicatedteacher.cambridge.org/vote