Dubai - Mathew, who is the principal of GEMS Our Own English School (Girls), received the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development's National Teacher Award 2015.
Published: Wed 21 Sep 2016, 7:52 AM
Last updated: Wed 21 Sep 2016, 9:55 AM
It's been 33 years now since Thomas Mathew first embarked on his career in teaching - 22 of which he has dedicated to the UAE. But even 33 years on, his passion for his job continues to grow, and that was recognised in impressive form this month.
Mathew, who is the principal of GEMS Our Own English School (Girls), received the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development's National Teacher Award 2015.
Noted as the highest teaching award in India, if Mathew was a student, he would have just been called India's topper.
"I heard I was nominated by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) some time back. I was on top of the world, but one feeling that overrode that was gratitude," Indian expatriate Thomas told Khaleej Times.
Thomas' career path could have been very different. Initially setting his sights on a job within the hotel industry in his late teens, he had a change of heart and enrolled for medicine at a college in India.
"When I tried to enrol, they told me I needed a certain certificate which I couldn't get on time. That's when I left the idea of medicine and went for a teaching job. I loved the fact that it was interactive.
And given the success of his career so far, he said "maybe God had this plan in place for me".
Reminiscing on his days as a student himself, it was Thomas' chemistry teacher at St Thomas Residential School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, that he said was his role model.
"His name was K.T. Varghese and he was an all-rounder. He's what I'd call a good human being." Although strict in his teaching method, Thomas said it was his ability to adapt to each situation that made him stand out. "When you needed a friend, he'd be your friend. He was such an inspiring man." And it is those qualities that have seen Thomas develop into the teaching success he is today.
Taking home a medal, certificate, and cash prize of Rs50,000, Mathew received his award from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on September 5, which marked Teachers' Day in India.
Describing the moment as "elating", he said he owes his gratitude to "his wife and daughter, his fellow teachers, students, and parents of students, and Sunny Varkey, founder and chairman of GEMS Education".
Speaking from his school in Dubai, Thomas shared his thoughts on the education field in the UAE.
"The quality of education is rising exponentially in Dubai and we are on the right path to success. That's really exciting as an educator here."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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