Celebrating Educators Who Inspire the World
Step into the ‘Hall of Stars’, a celebration of outstanding educators who have made a meaningful impact in the world of education. This page honours our past winners, recognising their dedication, innovation, and commitment to shaping future generations.
Each name represents a story of passion, excellence, and transformative contribution. From groundbreaking teaching practices to inspiring leadership in education, these educators continue to leave a lasting legacy in their communities and beyond. Explore their achievements and be inspired by the remarkable individuals who define what it means to be a global educator.
DEEP NARAYAN NAYAK
AVANT-GARDE TEACHER AWARD
Deep Narayan Nayak, known as the “Teacher of the Streets” and “Raster Master,” is an innovative educator from India who has transformed the lives of underprivileged children. Many of his students come from poor and remote communities with no electricity, schools, or internet, and were especially affected during the COVID-19 lockdown. When schools were closed, he turned mud walls into blackboards and roads into classrooms, ensuring that children who lacked digital access could still learn.
Nayak also focused on educating parents, particularly mothers and grandmothers, to break the cycle of illiteracy and support first-generation learners. His creative teaching methods helped communities overcome superstition, sparked interest in science, and even supported children with learning challenges such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and bibliophobia.
Through his innovative methods, Deep Narayan Nayak has not only provided education to those most in need but also created hope, equality, and opportunity for communities that were once left behind.
MDM. CHEAH GAIK IMM
INSPIRING EDUCATIONAL LEADER
Mdm. Cheah Gaik Imm, Headmistress of SJK (C) Chung Hwa, Langkawi, is an award-winning educator with over 35 years of experience. A recipient of the Excellence Service Award and the FEE Teacher Award (2024), she has led her school through a successful Strategic Plan (2020–2025), achieving its goals ahead of schedule. Under her leadership, the school became the first Chinese school in Kedah and Langkawi to win the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award.
She is best known for reviving the Eco-School Programme using a whole-school approach that engaged teachers, students, parents, and the community. Initiatives such as the Garden of Joy, enzyme composting, eco-bricks, stingless bee rearing, and water filter innovations not only advanced sustainability but also fostered student creativity and responsibility. Her leadership philosophy of teamwork, innovation, and care has transformed the school into a model of environmental awareness and educational excellence.
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
TRANSFORMING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
The African Leadership Academy (ALA) is a school in Roodepoort, near Johannesburg, South Africa. It is for students aged 16 to 19. Alumni of ALA come from 46 different countries. Founded in 2004 by Fred Swaniker, Chris Bradford, Peter Mombaur, and Acha Leke, ALA opened in 2008 with 97 students. The school aims to shape Africa's future by finding, training, and connecting young leaders. It offers a two-year program in African Studies, Writing, Rhetoric, and Entrepreneurial Leadership, along with regular academic subjects. ALA believes leadership is key to changing societies. By helping talented youth become strong leaders, ALA plays a big role in Africa’s development. The school also works to build a network of young leaders who will solve Africa's biggest problems, create social change, and help the continent grow.
JULIO MANUEL PEREYRA
COMMUNITY OUTREACH EDUCATOR
Julio Manuel Pereyra is a community educator and activist—originally from Uruguay and working in Argentina who founded and leads Escuelitas Ambulantes Caminos de Tiza (also known as "Chalk Roads Mobile School").
Since 2014, Julio Manuel Pereyra has pioneered mobile, community-based education by bringing therapeutic-pedagogical interventions directly to rural, indigenous, and marginalized communities in northeastern Argentina, reaching up to 32 communities and working permanently with 364 children across 14 sites (Latina Republic; Zero Project). His initiative goes beyond traditional academics by providing inclusive support services such as literacy, Guaraní language instruction, sign language, Braille, augmentative communication, orthotics, and sensory integration, ensuring holistic educational and therapeutic development.
PASI SAHLBERG
ESTEEMED TEACHER EDUCATOR
Pasi Sahlberg is Finnish educator, teacher, and author. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher-educator, academic, and policymaker in Finland, and he has advised schools and education system leaders around the world. He served as a senior education specialist at the World Bank (Washington, DC), lead education specialist at the European Training Foundation (Torino, Italy), director general at the Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture (CIMO), visiting professor of Practice at Harvard University and International Advisor to the Prime Minister of Scotland.