DUBAI // When Susan Mathew found out she was one of the recipients of the Emax Amazing Teacher Awards, her proud husband wanted to spread the news far and wide.
In preparation for the awards ceremony, which was held on Saturday at Gems Winchester School, he set up his computer so her parents in Kerala, India, could watch.
Ms Mathew, a career counsellor and biology teacher at Al Ameen Private School, was nominated by three pupils and two parents for the award. She said the honour filled her with joy.
“For me the award is recognition of what we do,” said Ms Mathew, who celebrated her 32nd birthday on the day of the award ceremony. “Day-in and day-out, we are helping set a career path for the students. We do a lot of personal counselling for parents and students and, in the end, this is recognition.
“As you all know, maybe the pay in Dubai is not very high for teaching staff and school faculty but these special moments when you are recognised by parents and by students – even if it’s not an award – even if it is one parent coming back and telling you, ‘Ma’am, because of you my child is happy in her university’, that makes your life.”
Ms Mathew was one of 125 teachers, counsellors and principals honoured at the second annual Emax Amazing Teacher Awards, which is organised by Big Idea, a group that hosts various educational events and student competitions. Nominations were received from schools across the country, said Reena Banerjee, founder and idea director at Big Idea.
“This is the second year that I’m doing this just as a tribute to the teachers, those who are doing so much for society,” Mrs Banerjee said. “They never get the recognition, so I thought let me give a tribute to the teacher.
“Last year, it was very well received. The teachers were very happy.”
Last year, 40 teachers were honoured in the inaugural ceremony. This year, the number of winners jumped when Mrs Banerjee received more than 3,000 nominations from across the country.
To be considered for the award, teachers had to be nominated by a student or parent. The nomination letter required an essay explaining how the educator positively impacted the person’s life.
Asak Alexander, a 53-year-old Dubai principal who has worked in schools for 30 years, said she was moved by the nomination.
“There were about 35 nominees from my school and 33 of them are receiving awards this evening, as well as my counsellor and myself,” said Mrs Alexander, who works at The Kindergarten Starters. “It’s a very special day for all of us. I’m absolutely thrilled.
“I value this award because this is the parents and the children of my school who are telling me that we are doing something right.”
Arabic teacher Ghada Riad, a 36-year-old Egyptian who teaches at Our Own English High School, said the award was meaningful because it came from those who mattered most.
“I’m very happy because this is not coming from my school or my work, it’s coming from my students and the parents.
“I feel like I will go tomorrow more motivated – I want to work more for my students.”
In addition to being recognised in an awards ceremony, the winners also receive a certificate. About 450 people attended the event.
“It’s a tribute to the teachers,” Mrs Banerjee said.
rpennington@thenational.ae
