Every year, the Varkey Foundation awards the Global Teacher Prize. The $1 million prize is given to a teacher who has made an "outstanding contribution to the profession," anywhere in the world. The nomination process is open to anyone, and the Varkey Foundation makes its choice based on a variety of factors.
This year, the foundation chose Peter Tabichi, a math and physics teacher from Kenya—the first African educator to win the award!
Global Teacher Prize 2019 Top 10 Finalist - Peter Tabichi youtu.be
A teacher from a remote Kenyan village who gave away most of his salary to poor students wins a $1 million global t… https://t.co/cHnpyQexzi— The Associated Press (@The Associated Press)1553445062.0
Peter Tabichi, a mathematics and physics teacher at Keriko Secondary School, in Nakuru is the winner of the Varkey… https://t.co/saCye8fxHT— NTV News (@NTV News)1553454467.0
Tabichi , who donates the majority of his salary back to his village where 90% of families live in poverty, is a shining example of the selflessness of teachers across the world.
Congratulations to @PeterTabichi, the 2019 Global Teacher Prize Winner! #TeacherPrize https://t.co/bH7w5yX18Y— Global Teacher Prize (@Global Teacher Prize)1553440326.0
Dive into the world of @PeterTabichi, the winner of the 2019 Global #TeacherPrize: https://t.co/feBjRSQnAP— Global Teacher Prize (@Global Teacher Prize)1553449673.0
Tabichi's win is an inspiring one for African educators all across the continent!
“Every day in Africa we turn a new page and a new chapter. Today is another day. This prize does not recognise me b… https://t.co/KUdD7pxhHE— Global Teacher Prize (@Global Teacher Prize)1553441250.0
The teacher even got a shoutout from Kenya's President, Uhuru Kenyatta:
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta congratulates Global #TeacherPrize 2019 Winner @PeterTabichi! Watch the full messag… https://t.co/kwLU0wtIi5— Global Teacher Prize (@Global Teacher Prize)1553441771.0
Hugh Jackman, who used to be a gym teacher in England, also offered his congratulations:
Congratulations Peter Tabichi, from Kenya! @VarkeyFdn @TeacherPrize https://t.co/o66KPDWWi6— Hugh Jackman (@Hugh Jackman)1553442561.0
Many Twitter users were thrilled that the award was given to Tabichi, recognizing his work in an area normally not represented by awards for education.
It’s KENYA! The 1 million dollars teacher prize goes to Peter Tabichi from Kenya!! Being his first time on a plane,… https://t.co/Q3tUadfy6k— Given Edward (@Given Edward)1553440892.0
Congrats Kenya 🇰🇪. Competing against 10,000 nominations from 179 countries, a science teacher @petertabichi from ru… https://t.co/wdhdULY392— Siddharth Chatterjee (@Siddharth Chatterjee)1553444645.0
https://t.co/VOdVKbnbeD— Siddharth Chatterjee (@Siddharth Chatterjee)1553445054.0
Acclaim for Tabichi's hard work came from all corners of the globe.
Congratulations to Peter Tabichi for winning the 2019 Global Teacher Prize. We celebrate your extraordinary, incred… https://t.co/r0h5s6mpQs— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@William Samoei Ruto, PhD)1553451576.0
@AP These are the stories that should be more news worthy and talked about. Incredible!!!— Nick Niglio (@Nick Niglio)1553451277.0
Twitter couldn't hold back its admiration for such a selfless and dedicated teacher.
@AP Thank you for bringing some good news today.— LJ & 10,000 April Fools (@LJ & 10,000 April Fools)1553445188.0
@AP Congratulations Mwalimu @PeterTabichi. What goes around surely does come around. Hongera— sammy mnges 🇰🇪 (@sammy mnges 🇰🇪)1553467036.0
@NTVnewsroom It really is true that when you give love,you get love right back. Congratulations Mr. Tabichi. You ar… https://t.co/zX0NHZAwxq— Onderi Magara (@Onderi Magara)1553488277.0
@NTVnewsroom #BlackExcellence 👏🏾✊🏿👏🏾 https://t.co/rtCV9tZXJH— Joshua Street (@Joshua Street)1553506945.0
Well done, Peter Tabichi! You've surely inspired many great teachers of the future to follow in your footsteps.
@TeacherPrize @petertabichi Congratulations...he is really a great teacher!!— K.A.Razhiyah (@K.A.Razhiyah)1553444744.0