Mariamma Varkey Award 2018 Recognises Outstanding GEMS Education Teachers Across Five Categories

GEMS Education and learning celebrated 44 of its most outstanding educators in the third annual Mariamma Varkey Award for Inspirational and also Outstanding Teaching at GEMS throughout a red-carpet event held at GEMS World Academy - Dubai at night of Four October 2018. Amongst those existing on the celebration were Fatma Ghanim Al Marri, Member of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer for the Development of Emirati Student Education Programmes at KHDA.

Coinciding with International World Teachers Day on fifth October, the event, which aims to radiate the spotlight on the mentor occupation, saw five instructors awarded throughout five categories, with cash prizes totalling AED 570,000.

Dino Varkey, President, GEMS Education, said: Our teachers are our most prized assets, and the Mariamma Varkey Award is our way of recognising and celebrating the truly remarkable things they do day in, day out. Passionate, dedicated educators, they are empowering and inspiring our students through their work, selflessly facilitating and accelerating the development and growth of youth across the UAE. In this way, they are shaping the future of not just our younger generations, but also the world as a whole, instilling the ethics and values necessary for our children to be the leaders of tomorrow, and laying the foundations for individual and collective success.

The Mariamma Varkey Award is particularly close to my heart, as it reflects the high standards set by my grandmother when she first arrived in Dubai as a teacher 60 years ago. It is largely thanks to her efforts and unwavering vision that GEMS Education is what it is today, and it gives us great pleasure to host this special award in her honour.

Currently identified through the GEMS Instructor of the Month honors at their particular colleges, the 44 finalists were advanced for honors across five groups consisting Most Inspirational Teacher, Early Years Teaching, Primary Years Teaching, Secondary Years Teaching and Arabic and Islamic a new entry for 2018.

Luke Oung from Cambridge International School Dubai was declared the winner of the Most Inspirational Teacher award and received a cash prize of AED 220,200 (US$60,000).

On receiving the reward Luke, said: It still hasnt quite sunk in to have won this fantastic award, my students were all crossing their fingers for me. I cant wait to tell them, it really is an honour to have been recognised on such a large scale.

Katrina Hansen from GEMS United School Dubai Motor City won the Early and Primary Years award, while Rachael Parkinson from GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail received the award in the Secondary Years category. The Inclusion award was handed to Faith Fauchelle from GEMS Royal Dubai School, and Rayan Safi-Harb from GEMS World Academy Abu Dhabi was honoured with the Arabic and Islamic award. Each winner received AED 88,080 (US$24,000) as a cash prize along with a citation.

Finalists were nominated based upon details requirements as well as had to show an impressive influence upon their pupils and also the larger area, while likewise using introducing, innovative, comprehensive and also ingenious pedagogical methods that engage as well as test trainees in their knowing. Furthermore, chosen educators had to be reflective specialists that continue to inspire and motivate students and colleagues while engaging parents in the development of their children's learning.