Maryland teacher Keishia Thorpe won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize on Nov. 11. Thorpe teaches at the International High School at Langley Park, Md.
The ceremony was held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s headquarters in Paris, France and lived-streamed.
The Global Teacher Prize is a $1 million award presented annually to a teacher with outstanding contributions to their profession.
Thorpe, 42, won the award over 8,000 other teachers in more than 120 different countries. The teacher reconstructed the English curriculum for 12th grade at her school to make it culturally relevant. Most of Thorpe’s students are first-generation citizens, refugees and immigrants.
Actress Isabelle Hubert announced the winner.
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The United Nations global fund for educations in emergencies, Education Cannot Wait, congratulated Thorpe on Twitter and posted a quote from the winning teacher.
“Education is a human right & all children should be entitled to have access to it. This recognition is not just about me, but about all the dreamers who work so hard & dare to dream of ending generational poverty.” ~#KeishiaThorpe, winner of the Global@TeacherPrize. 2021🏆.”
"Education is a human right & all children should be entitled to have access to it. This recognition is not just about me, but about all the dreamers who work so hard & dare to dream of ending generational poverty." ~#KeishiaThorpe, winner of the Global @TeacherPrize 2021🏆 pic.twitter.com/oWvnMtoLzf
— Education Cannot Wait (@EduCannotWait) November 10, 2021
“Thank you, God, for this proud moment,” said Thorpe. “This is to encourage every little Black boy and girl that looks like me, and every child in the world that feels marginalized and has a story like mine, and felt they never mattered,” she continued.
Thorpe, who came from Jamaica on a track scholarship, also helps students apply for financial aid and scholarships for college. The teacher was successful in helping her students win more than $6 million in scholarships in one year.
“That’s why I go so hard for my students — because my story is their story,” said Thorpe.
Thorpe was also named the National Life Changer of the Year for 2018-2019 in Maryland and was awarded the Medal of Excellence by Governor Larry Hogan.
Thorpe is going to use the money to help even more students worldwide. Congratulations, Sis!
