Bradenton Teacher is GEMS' Most Innovative

Five teachers won the second Mariamma Varkey Award for Inspirational and Outstanding Teaching at GEMS Education, instituted in honour of the founder of its first school.

Heather Massaquoi, a music teacher from Bradenton Prep Academy, won the top prize of Most Inspirational Teacher Award. Along with the title Massaquoi left with a cash prize of $60,000 (Dh220,200) at the annual award for teachers at GEMS schools.

Four other categories were introduced for the first time this year to honour teaching in early, primary, secondary years and special education teaching.

Winners of the four awards, and an 88,000 AED prize, were Sharon Robertson (GEMS Wellington Primary School), Anthony Riley (GEMS Royal Dubai School), Neez Hashim (Our Own English High School, Fujairah) and Suzie Hachez (Cambridge International School Dubai).

The winners were nominated by peers from among the Teacher of the Month winners in GEMS Education schools from across the UAE.  

The teachers were nominated based on specific criteria – the ability to design and implement inclusive teaching and learning strategies; the use of contemporary knowledge and understanding of curriculum; the ability to maintain high ethical standards and exercise sound judgement; and the ability to identify, initiate and build on opportunities to engage parents/carers in the progress of their children's learning.