Sandra
RebeccaWho do you think is the best teacher?
The one who makes you laugh, inspires you, or sometimes turns a blind eye?
There are many exceptional teachers in Slovenia.
One of them is Nina Jelen, a Časoris columnist, who you may know better under the pen name Tršica Nina. Another is Uroš Ocepek.
In addition to the fact that both are considered excellent and popular teachers, they are also connected by the fact that their efforts have been noticed abroad!
Nina was a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize selection in 2021, and Uroš was among the top 50 out of more than 7,000 candidates this year.
Which is why Uroš was present in Paris last night when they announced the best teacher in the world.
This year Sister Zeph, from Pakistan, was announced “the best teacher in the world.” She carries a difficult, yet inspiring story.
When she was little her teacher hit and embarrassed her in front of her classmates. When she was just thirteen years old, she opened a school in her backyard where she studied and instructed her peers.
In order for the school to function, it needed money. That is why she worked eight hours a day, taught others for four hours, and educated herself at night.
As long as I live, I will continue to teach children.
Sister Zepf
In 2006 a gunman threatened her at home because she was teaching girls. Therefore, she left her village temporarily.
Then she also started teaching adult women for free.
Today many of her former students are volunteer teachers at her school. They are sharing knowledge with 215 underprivileged children.
Her organization, the ZWEE Foundation, works to improve the status of women through empowerment and education. ZWEE stands for Zephaniah Women’s Education and Empowerment Foundation.
For winning Sister Zeph will receive one million dollars, which is about 934,000 euros!
Glossary
Empowerment means becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling your own life and claiming your rights.
To turn a blind eye is a phrase meaning to pretend not to notice something.
Underprivledged is having less money, education, etc., than the other people in a society.
A sister is a woman who takes religious vows such as a nun.
Points to Consider
- List three characteristics of a good teacher.
- Do you agree with the saying, “A teacher’s character is more important than what they teach?”
- What would you do with a million dollars?
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The original version of this article was published on 11th November.
Mateja
Rok
