Millicent Cassianes: Kenyan Teacher Shortlisted For Ksh.148M Varkey Foundation Prize
Cassianes, who teaches at the BL Tezza Special School for the Deaf in Karunga, Kenya, is one of 50 people shortlisted for the prize, which is organized in collaboration with UNESCO and in strategic partnership with Dubai Cares, a global philanthropic organization based in the UAE.
The Kenyan teacher was chosen from over 7,000 nominations and applications received from over 130 countries around the world.
The prize will now be narrowed down to the top ten finalists, who will be announced later this year, helping to raise the bar of respect for the teaching profession.
The Global Teacher Prize Academy, comprised of prominent individuals, will select the winner from the top ten finalists, who will be announced later this year.
“I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Millicent Cassianes. UNESCO is a proud partner of the Global Teacher Prize, because teachers deserve our great recognition. They inspire and prepare children and youth to navigate a rapidly evolving world. Their efforts play a leading role in transforming education for the future.”Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education said.
Cassianes’ resume stood out because of her day-to-day job, which includes uplifting neglected children with special needs in her village who lacked access to education and were living in impoverished conditions.
She pursued special needs education, focusing on learning disabilities, and set out on a mission to give these children a better future.
Cassianes started her school, BL Tezza Special School for the Deaf, with just a few students and secured support from various organizations through community outreach efforts.
Her innovative teaching methods, which included the use of ICT and practical projects, empowered her students, many of whom excelled academically.
Meanwhile, the USD 1 million Global Teacher Prize, now in its eighth year, is the largest prize of its kind.
The prize is open to working teachers who teach children in compulsory school or who are between the ages of five and eighteen.
Teachers who teach children aged 4 and up in an Early Years government-recognized curriculum, as well as part-time teachers and online course instructors, are also eligible.
Teachers must teach at least 10 hours per week and intend to stay in the profession for the next five years.