—

Canadian school Teacher wins $1M global teacher prize beating out thousands of applicants (CBS News):

“A Canadian school teacher who encourages hope and acts of kindness in an isolated corner of Quebec won a $1 million prize Sunday in what has become one of the most high-profile awards for teaching excellence.

Maggie MacDonnell was awarded the annual Global Teacher Prize…She has worked for the past six years in a remote Arctic village called Salluit teaching middle and high schoolers…Her perseverance to continue teaching in the remote area, where many teachers leave their post midway through the year, made her a standout for the award. MacDonnell created a number of programs for boys and girls, including job mentorship and funds to assist with healthy meals. Her approach focuses on encouraging “acts of kindness,” such as running a community kitchen and attending suicide prevention training…Among her many efforts, MacDonnell also established a fitness center for youth and adults in the local community, where drug use and alcoholism rates are high due to the region’s harsh winters and isolation.”

Here you can learn more about Maggie’s bio and work, and here you can learn more about the Top 10 Finalists for the 2017 Global Teacher Prize, all of whom deserve recognition and praise.  Our very own CEO & Editor-In-Chief Alvaro Fernandez was one of the Judges with the challenging task of reviewing 10 fantastic candidates and selecting one winner.

Related articles:

• What Educators and Parents Should Know About Neuroplasticity, Learning and Dance
• To harness neuroplasticity, start with enthusiasm
• The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Brains
• How learning changes your brain