2 UAE teachers in the race for $1m award

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Two teachers from the UAE are among the teachers from the Middle East who have been included in the shortlist of 50 for the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize 2017.
Now in its third year, the $1 million award is the largest prize of its kind and is awarded under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The two UAE teachers shortlisted for the Global Teacher Prize 2017 are Shaikha Al Shehhi, an English teacher from Al Dhait Girls Secondary School, Ras Al Khaimah; and Rohan Roberts, who teaches the GEMS Honours Progamme and Astronomy at the GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis in Dubai.
Roberts also oversees the GEMS Futures Curriculum in three schools in Dubai: First Point School, GEMS Modern Academy, and GEMS Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis.
The Global Teacher Prize was set up to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as well as to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society. By unearthing thousands of stories of heroes that have transformed young people's lives, the prize hopes to bring to life the exceptional work of millions of teachers all over the world.
The top 50 have been shortlisted from over 20,000 nominations and applications from 179 countries from around the world. The top 50 shortlist has representatives from 37 countries. The winner will be announced at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai on March 19 next year.
Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, said: "We were overwhelmed by the huge support the Global Teacher Prize received this year. We intend to keep this momentum going as our journey continues to return teachers to their rightful position as one of the most respected professions in society."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
Who is Rohan Roberts
Rohan Roberts leads an Honours programme designed for gifted students from 40 GEMS schools in Dubai. Using a scientific perspective, he keeps up with findings in pedagogy and neuroscience, while using his many interests as astronomer, painter, author and musician to identify and develop the multiple talents of his students. Many of Rohan's students are high achievers, progressing to international universities with full scholarships, gaining outstanding exam results and repeatedly winning the Cambridge International Award for distinguished performance in English.
And Shaikha Al Shehhi
Shaikha Al Shehhi began teaching as a child on her doorstep with her neighbours' children, drawing and writing in chalk on the door of her home. As a teacher, she has taken a lead in educating her pupils in global citizenry, particularly in environmental matters, with her "Reducing Carbon Footprint" initiative. She has received a number of awards, the most important of which are the Khalifa Award for Education and the Creative Teacher Award 2016.

• Dubai