Not all of them won $1m, but they are world's best teachers

Dubai - These teachers have made an outstanding contribution to their careers and continue to inspire millions of students to become leaders, inventors, and teachers.

If you've made a ground breaking discovery in your adult life or if you've stood up for the right cause in face of adversity, chances are that you've had an exceptionally good teacher in your life.
A year ago, the Varkey Foundation decided to crown the best teacher in the world and bestow them with a grand prize of $1 million to pursue their endeavours in their respective countries.
By highlighting their stories, the foundation aims to raise the importance of the role of teachers in society. These teachers have made an outstanding contribution to their careers and continue to inspire millions of students to become leaders, inventors, and teachers.
Khaleej Times caught up with the finalists at the Global Education and Skills Forum 2016 to get a glimpse into what makes them truly special among a million others in the profession.
Meet the contenders of global teacher prize:
Hanan Al Hroub, Samiha Khalil High School, Al-Bireh, Palestine Hanan grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp. She is a specialist in dealing with children who've come from violent backgrounds,
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Many of my students are exposed to severe acts of violence, and there are also issues of lack of proper resources to hold classes. Many times, I end up using recycled materials as teaching tools." 
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "A particularly violent child used to hit and bite other students in his class. After my intervention, in one month, the child completely calmed down and is now a great learner."
Aqeela Asifi, teacher at Kot Chandana refugee camp, Punjab, Pakistan Aqeela Asifi, an Afghan refugee living in Pakistan has dedicated to bringing education to refugee girls.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"My country has been in war for 37 years. The war's biggest victim are the children of Afghanistan.
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "I am incredibly proud of all my students. Today, 120 girls have passed out of my school and one has gone on to become a doctor and one a teacher."
Ayub Mohamud, teacher at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, Kenya He is active in attempting to combat terrorism and prevent radicalisation among children.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Kenya has an increasing problem of children entering extremist behaviour and there isn't much respect for teachers. I've established 'Teachers against violent terrorism', an anti-terror network."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "I am proud of all my students. My students have gone on to become teachers themselves."
Colin Hegarty, Preston Manor School, Wembley, North West London, UK Colin uses a flipped classroom approach to teach Mathematics to London students aged 11-18.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Children from disadvantaged backgrounds do not receive the same kind of education that children from affluent backgrounds do; that disparity must change." 
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "A student of mine with a terminally ill parent began using my website and he worked hard enough to go on and become an engineer."
Robin Chaurasiya, Kranti School, Mumbai, India Kranti ('Revolution' in Hindi) empowers marginalised girls in Mumbai's red light district to become agents of social change.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Traditional Indian education systems are very competitive making it difficult for children to explore creativity and think alternatively."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "Two of my former students come to mind. One won a UN Youth Courage Award and another won a music scholarship in US."
Joe Fatheree, Effingham High School, Illinois, US Joe began teaching over 25 years ago. In his classes, students produce music and bookscovering diverse topics.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Standardised testing procedures are a real problem in schools in the US."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "I had a student in my class who was in a wheel chair and could not move any other muscle in his body, except his finger. After providing him with the technology, he went on to finish an entire documentary on his own."
Kazuya Takahashi, Kogakuin University Junior and Senior High School, Tokyo, Japan He developed a programme to harness students' creativity.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Competition among students is very high in Japan. Children are always competing for top marks due to pressure from the system and parents."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "I had a complicated student. It was a challenge to engage him. I gave him freedom to be creative in the classroom and the change I saw in him was phenomenal."
Maarit Rossi, teacher, Kartanonranta School, Finland Following a learning seminar, she developed a fresh approach after realising students found conventional maths teaching uninspiring,
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Most people have a very narrowed view of Mathematics. That needs to change."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "I am proud of all of my students. A former student of mine I contacted recently has gone on to become a professor in a top American university."
Michael Soskil, Wallenpaupack South school, Pennsylvania, US Michael believes students need meaningful emotional connections to learn.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"Standardised testing is a problem in the US and children need to be given an emotional connect to content."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "My students connected with children in Nairobi's Kibera slum and partnered with Vestergaard to raise $12,000 for water filters to protect 3,000 slum residents against disease."
Richard Johnson, science teacher, Rostrata Primary School, Perth Richard was instrumental in setting up Australia's first school science laboratory specifically for young children.
> What is the state of education in your country?
"You can't change education systems. However, you can place a dent in it and make it better suited for 21st century learning."
> Proudest moment as a teacher: "One of my former students is here in Dubai working on automation of CCTV technology and that is incredible." 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com