The Global Teacher Prize is an award created to acknowledge the work of those teachers who make exceptional contributions to the profession and clearly demonstrate, through their vital work, the fundamental role teachers play in society.
Furthermore, thanks to the selection of the globe's best teachers, the award highlights dozens of heroic stories of education that have transformed the lives of many young people worldwide.
Professor Sánchez Santamaría has developed programs based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to help his students face the challenges of the future as part of a global community, and to overcome the stigma that has marked his city from the era in which it hosted those suffering from Hansen's disease (leprosy).
He initially focused on the implementation of software for teaching design and architectural engineering, but soon he expanded into other areas; 17 years ago, he and his students created a newspaper called "Periodecimo" that involved everyone in the institute. He created an editorial office; students do research after school and use all the available technologies to promote their products. The work is self-assessed and Prof Sánchez Santamaría is always looking for ways to improve.
Recently he helped his students produce a monthly television program. In addition, his teaching methods have been shared through YouTube and his activities have helped a generation of students successfully undertake academic courses in technical faculties in different parts of the world.
The list of 50 preselected teachers has representatives from 33 different countries. The final winner will be announced during the World Education and Training Forum, to be held on Sunday 18 March, 2018, in Dubai. In addition to the prize, the winner receives one million dollars to develop their educational project.
