Pearson International School Teacher Awards
Meet the 2026 shortlist
We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Pearson International School Teacher Awards.
From over 1,250 nominations, the shortlisted nominees have distinguished themselves through pioneering teaching strategies, transformative leadership, and a lifelong commitment to education. They are exceptional educators who exemplify the very best of international education, and this list represents an inspiring showcase of talent and passion within our network.
Congratulations to everyone shortlisted.
The 2026 shortlist
The shortlisted nominees in all three categories are shown below - congratulations to you all!
Please note: Shortlisting does not constitute endorsement by the employing international school.
Teacher of the Year: Shortlisted nominees
Nominee name |
Nominee role |
International School |
Country |
Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boutheina Merimi | Teacher | Willow Schools | Algeria | Africa |
| Pakinam ElDegwi | English Teacher | Al Alsson British International School | Egypt | Africa |
| Sahar Hagag | A-Level Biology Teacher | Dar El Tarbiah Zamalek | Egypt | Africa |
| Yousra Baraka | Assistant Headteacher | El Alsson British International School | Egypt | Africa |
| Magda Hamdi | Mathematics Teacher | El Nasr Boys' School | Egypt | Africa |
| Dr Maher Galal | Biology Teacher | Elwy Language School | Egypt | Africa |
| Mohammad Salah | Arabic Teacher | Manaret El Eman School | Egypt | Africa |
| Dina Adel Fouad Basta | Mathematics Teacher | New Ramses College | Egypt | Africa |
| Mohamed Magdy Ali | Mathematics Teacher | New Ramses College | Egypt | Africa |
| Shady Sherif | Head of Mathematics | Ramses College for Girls | Egypt | Africa |
| Hebatallah Al SanHoury | German Teacher | St Fatima International School Al Hegaz | Egypt | Africa |
| Mina Adly | Mathematics Teacher | St Fatima International School Al Hegaz | Egypt | Africa |
| Nourhan Issa | Human Biology Teacher | Summits International Schools | Egypt | Africa |
| Mai Ayad | Deputy Head of KS4 | The British School of Egypt | Egypt | Africa |
| Mirette Sobhy | Global Citizenship teacher | The British School of Egypt | Egypt | Africa |
| Abdelrahman El Garhy | MathematicsTeacher | Windrose Academy | Egypt | Africa |
| Meku Getachew | Assistant Head | Ethiopia | Africa | |
| Sukaina Khatau | Mathematics Teacher | Nairobi Jaffery Academy | Kenya | Africa |
| Muthone Mbae | Teacher | The Mombasa Academy | Kenya | Africa |
| Mohamed Hisabu | STEM Leader | TradeWinds Academy | Kenya | Africa |
| Motale Mohlaba | Head | Letlotlo International School | Lesotho | Africa |
| Ali Alzreedy | Mathematics Teacher | International School Sonaa Alhayah | Libya | Africa |
| Sarah Elhossade | Biology and Chemistry Teacher | International School Sonaa Alhayah | Libya | Africa |
| Catherine Lee Elghazal | Chemistry Teacher | Tarabulos Alhurra School | Libya | Africa |
| Aisha Ibrahim | Teacher | Bloom Academy | Malawi | Africa |
| Assia Ammor | Teacher of French | Ecole Montessori Casablanca | Morocco | Africa |
| Oluwaseyi Popoola | Teacher | Children's International School Lagos | Nigeria | Africa |
| Nesrine Boufaden | Chemistry Teacher | Canopus International School of Tunis | Tunisia | Africa |
| Wiem Ben Amara | Biology Teacher | Canopus International School of Tunis | Tunisia | Africa |
| Md Anisur Rahman | Mathematics Teacher | Academia | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Atqiya Asima | Physics Teacher | Academia Malibagh | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Humaira Gulzar | Teacher | Academia Malibagh | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Milka Rahman | Biology Teacher | Averroes International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Ahmed Tuan | Teacher | Averroes International School Lalmatia | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Mohammad Hossain | Senior Physics Teacher | Changes | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Chumki Sinha | Mathematics Teacher | Daffodil International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Abdur Rahman | Physics Teacher | Lighthouse International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Muhammad Iqbal Rahimi | Science Coordinator | Lighthouse International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Nadia Rafique | Maths Coordinator | Lighthouse International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Shakila Quader | English Coordinator | Lighthouse International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Taposhi Shahriar | English Teacher | Lighthouse International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Ariful Islam Arif | Mathematics Teacher | Maple Leaf International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Quazi Waliul Razib | English Teacher | Maple Leaf International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Syed Sirajul Islam | Islamiyat Teacher | Maple Leaf International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Zakia Sultana | Biology Teacher | Maple Leaf International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Kazi Farhan Mahi | Chemistry Teacher | Reverie School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Hassan Ahmed | Head of STEAM Department | Lanzhou Country Garden School | China | Asia |
| Aaron Qin | Chemistry teacher | Myddelton College Jinhua | China | Asia |
| Matthew McClune | Head of Sport | Harrow International School Bengaluru | India | Asia |
| Dhivya R | Head of ICT | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| Fathima Mohamadh Ali | Physics Faculty | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| Thangam S | Senior English Faculty | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| V Kalpana Suriyanarayanan | English Teacher | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| Vinoth S | Teacher | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| AP Saritha | Academic Coordinator | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| Deepa Murali | Biology Teacher | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| A Velammal Selvi | Tamil Teacher | Sri Sankara Global Academy | India | Asia |
| Sharmila N | English Teacher | Kalvi Intercontinental School | India | Asia |
| Ni Luh Sekar Astuti | Chemistry Teacher | Sekolah Cendekia Harapan | Indonesia | Asia |
| Yuliastuti | Science Teacher | Sekolah Cendekia Harapan | Indonesia | Asia |
| Dr. Shwe Phyu Aung | Teacher | Helix International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Nang Aye Thinzar Mon | Accounting Teacher | Hinthar International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Nay Nwe Lwin | English Teacher | Hinthar International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Han Thein | Mathematics Teacher | Hinthar International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Christopher Murphy | English Teacher | ILBSM Myanmar | Myanmar | Asia |
| Myo Tint Yadana | ESL/EFL teacher | Teacher Su International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Dr Thinzar Theint Theint Thu | Chemistry Teacher | Youth International College | Myanmar | Asia |
| Maryam Hussain | Islamic Studies Teacher | Beaconhouse School System | Pakistan | Asia |
| Faryal Muhammad Asmai | Teacher | Beaconhouse School System | Pakistan | Asia |
| Ali Ahmad | Chemistry Teacher | Cornerstone School & College | Pakistan | Asia |
| Asia Tahir | Pakistan Studies Teacher | Froebel's International School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Nudrat Liaqat | Teacher | Froebels International School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Syeda Najla Farman | Pakistan Studies Teacher | Froebels International School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Anam Qazi | Mathematics Teacher | Future World School and College | Pakistan | Asia |
| Fariha Rehman | Maths Teacher | Pathways British School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Anouk de Silva | English Teacher | Elizabeth Moir School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Anthony Chelliah | History and GC Teacher | Gateway College Dehiwala | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Udani Fernando | Deputy Head | Ladies College | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| K.G.A.Shashini Thisna | Sectional Head | Leeds International School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Supun Wijenayaka | Deputy Principal | Leeds International School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| G.H. Buddhika Sameera | Mathematics Teacher | Leeds International School Galle | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| J.P. Lakmini Surangi | IT Teacher | Leeds International School Galle | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Gihan Wishwanath | Physics Teacher | Leeds International School Matara | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Navoda Bandara | Teacher | Lyceum International School Anuradhapura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Udaya Jayasinghe | Teacher | Lyceum International School Anuradhapura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Thushani Fernando | Lyceum International School Wattala | Sri Lanka | Asia | |
| Tharangie Rajapaksha | Mathematics Teacher | Lyceum International School, Nugegoda | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Iresha Jayasuriya | Teacher | Lyceum International School, Panadura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Anis Saleh | Science Teacher | Stafford International School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Nimesha de Silva | Teacher | Stafford International School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Sinéad McMullan | Maths Leader | Amnuay Silpa School | Thailand | Asia |
| Meg King | Class Teacher | St Andrews International School Bangkok | Thailand | Asia |
| George Anson Baines Jr | English and Humanities Teacher | Newton Sixth Form School | Thailand | Asia |
| Irma Qirikashvili | Math and Physics Teacher | St. George's Georgian-British School BGS | Georgia | Europe |
| Rachael Brett-Summers | Maths Teacher | ELIS Murcia | Spain | Europe |
| Raquel Sanchez Nieto | Middle School Coordinator | ELIS Murcia | Spain | Europe |
| Guy Garden | Key Phase Leader | ELIS Villamartín | Spain | Europe |
| David Howie | Further Mathematics Teacher | British School Bahrain | Bahrain | ME |
| Firosa Yunus | Mathematics Teacher | British School Bahrain | Bahrain | ME |
| Mehzabeen Ismail Kapadia | Accounting & Business Teacher | Sacred Heart School | Bahrain | ME |
| Arshad Ali | English Teacher | Dohuk British International School | Iraq | ME |
| Layla Mahmood Ali | Teacher | Dohuk British international school | Iraq | ME |
| Roya Ahmed | Teacher | Rast International School Duhok | Iraq | ME |
| Areej Rawashdeh | Arabic AS Teacher | Al Manhal International School | Jordan | ME |
| Sa’ed Al-Twal | Physics Teacher | Al-Ittihad School | Jordan | ME |
| Samir Sha'lan | Mathematics Teacher | International Independent Schools | Jordan | ME |
| Samar Aboalsondos | Teacher | Mada International Academy | Jordan | ME |
| Abeer Dawood Ismail | Chemistry Teacher | The Modern School Amman | Jordan | ME |
| Lawrence Adams | Head of Department | The English School Fahaheel | Kuwait | ME |
| Sabiha Aziz | Teacher | The English School Fahaheel | Kuwait | ME |
| Ahmed Khalil | Mathematics Teacher | The Belgravia High School | Qatar | ME |
| Mutaz Belah Hamdi | Head of Department | Mesaieed International School | Qatar | ME |
| Juvairiya Kunhabdulla | Maths Coordinator | The Third Assalam School | Qatar | ME |
| Amjad Saad | Teacher | Al-Reeyada International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Azza Bahnasy | Mathematics Teacher | Al Wadi International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Rasha Mohamed | Arabic Teacher | Al Wadi International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Amal Salem | Math Teacher | Al Hussan International School Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Khizar Abbas | Physics Teacher | Alkawthar International Schools | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Aishah Nekiwala | Teacher | Misk International Schools | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Auzair Collector | Teacher | Misk International Schools | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Godfrey Dube | Head of Business | Misk International Schools | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Katie Almeida | Teacher | Misk International Schools | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Nazish Parveen | Mathematics Teacher | New World International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Hani Mohamed Nageb | Teacher | Orbit International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Khaled Soliman | Teacher | Orbit International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Omar Alsayed Abdalraouf | Arabic Teacher | Orbit International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Junevia Anthony | Business and Economics Teacher | Al Ain British Academy | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Lissa Fothergill | Mathematics Teacher | Brighton College Al Ain | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Aidan Walsh | Deputy Head of Maths | Brighton College Dubai | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Leslieann Fernandes | Chemistry Faculty | Dubai Scholars Private School | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Mirko Jeck | Creative Media and Film Teacher | Sunmake School | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Sabrina Appeah | English Teacher | Yasmina British Academy | United Arab Emirates | ME |
| Suzi Brophy | MFL Teacher | Yasmina British Academy | United Arab Emirates | ME |
Leader of the Year: Shortlisted nominees
Nominee name |
Nominee role |
International School |
Country |
Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samia Azi | School Consultant | Willow Schools | Algeria | Africa |
| Yousra Baraka | Assistant Headteacher | El Alsson International School | Egypt | Africa |
| Manal Morcoss | School leader | Marvel International School | Egypt | Africa |
| Mona Gad | IG Principal | St Fatima International School Al Hegaz | Egypt | Africa |
| Maey Elnimer | Chief Operation Officer | The Continental School of Cairo | Egypt | Africa |
| Ahmed El-Shamy | Principal | El Nasr Boys' School | Egypt | Africa |
| Rasha Kamal | Head of IG | Sahara International School Cairo | Egypt | Africa |
| Karima Mostafa Shabana | IG Principal | Summits International Schools | Egypt | Africa |
| Rasha Samir Antoun Yacob | Principal | The International School of Elite Education | Egypt | Africa |
| David Sechero | Deputy Head Teacher | SCSS Academy Lang’ata | Kenya | Africa |
| Ping Wang | Lanzhou Country Garden School | China | Asia | |
| Abdur Rahmaan Raikar | Academic Supervisor | IQRA International School, Bengaluru | India | Asia |
| Dr Senthil Kumar | Chairman | Kalvi Intercontinental School | India | Asia |
| Juwaria Muqtadir | School Pincipal | Sekolah Cendekia Harapan | Indonesia | Asia |
| Sheena Abigail | Vice Principal | Sekolah Cendekia Harapan | Indonesia | Asia |
| Theingi Aung | Program Director | Teacher Su International School | Myanamar | Asia |
| Dr. Aung Myo Min | CEO + Founder | Helix International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Gita Bhutia | Head of Department | MLA International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Htike San Win | School Leader | Tara's International School | Myanmar | Asia |
| Sajeda Khan | Principal | Pathways British School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Sindhuja Rajaram | Assistant Principal | Lyceum International School | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Savindi Seneviratne | Deputy Principal | Lyceum International School - Nugegoda | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Deepthi Goonasekera | Principal | Lyceum International School - Ratnapura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Stella Anton | Principal | Lyceum International School - Wattala | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Chandana Basnayake | Principal | Lyceum International School Anuradhapura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Joshua Eborall | Head of English | Newton Sixth Form School | Thailand | Asia |
| Xenia Tsolaki Metaxa | Academic Principal | XTMPI Xenia Tsolaki Metaxa Private Institute | Cyprus | Europe |
| Alexander Wickham | Head Teacher | Sage College: The British School of Jerez | Spain | Europe |
| James Cunningham | Principal | Hull`s School Zurich | Switzerland | Europe |
| Dr Senthil Kumar | Chairman | Kalvi Intercontinental School | India | Asia |
| Azeema Husnain | Principal | Cornerstone School and College | Pakistan | Asia |
| Dilovan Hazim Ahmed | Principal | Dohuk British International School | Iraq | Middle East |
| Jala Aakho | Head Teacher | Al Ittihad International Schools | Jordan | Middle East |
| Daminda Kulatunga | Principal | Sri Lankan School Muscat | Oman | Middle East |
| Nadia Waja | Principal | Al Maha Academy for Girls | Qatar | Middle East |
| Jordan Hobbis | Head Teacher | Mesaieed International School | Qatar | Middle East |
| Cláudia Martins | Head of Secondary | Newton International Academy Barwa | Qatar | Middle East |
| Arzoo Ahmed | Co-founder | Al Reeyada International School | Saudi Arabia | Middle East |
| Dr Steffen Sommer | Director General | Misk Schools | Saudi Arabia | Middle East |
| Nafisa Taher Kaizer Arsiwala | Head of Mathematics | The Sheffield Private School | UAE | Middle East |
| Hanan Salem | Head of Arabic | Yasmina British Academy | UAE | Middle East |
| Jancke Dunn | Head of English | Yasmina British Academy | UAE | Middle East |
| Jennie Kellett | Secondary Principal | Yasmina British Academy | UAE | Middle East |
| Lauren Otoo | Head of Humanities | Yasmina British Academy | UAE | Middle East |
Innovator of the Year: Shortlisted nominees
Nominee name |
Nominee role |
International School |
Country |
Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramia Hamouti | Mathematics Teacher | Willow Schools | Algeria | Africa |
| Bruno Otieno Noah | Head of Mathematics | Barakah International School | Djibouti | Africa |
| Dr. Golam Moula | Vice Principal | ABC International School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| A S M Shahria | Teacher | Project Headway Grammar School | Bangladesh | Asia |
| Fathima Sana + Aysha Muntaha | Academic Coordinator | Iqra International School | India | Asia |
| Sri Aravind Lal | Biology Teacher | Kalvi Intercontinental School | India | Asia |
| Timothy Dillan | Computer Science Teacher | Sekolah Cendekia Harapan | Indonesia | Asia |
| Junaid Mansoor | Founder | Olevels.com School | Pakistan | Asia |
| Dimuthu Harshana Amarasiri | Chemistry Teacher | Lyceum International School, Nugegoda | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Samanmalee Gunaweera | Teacher | Lyceum International School, Panadura | Sri Lanka | Asia |
| Rob Parker | Computer Science Teacher | St Andrews International School | Thailand | Asia |
| Yanisa Wassanatip | Biology Teacher | The Newton Sixth Form | Thailand | Asia |
| Zoe Benjamin + Barb Jeffcott | Teaching + Learning Team Leads | Crimson Global Academy | New Zealand | Aus + NZ |
| Ketevan Gelashvili | Mathematics Teacher | St. George's Georgian-British School BGS | Georgia | Europe |
| Marcela Nacif | Head of Academics | Brave Generation Academy | Portugal | Europe |
| Mirvat Farhat | Physics Teacher | Belgravia High School | Qatar | ME |
| Waqas Latif | Head of Biology | Doha College | Qatar | ME |
| Nesrin Merhi | Academic Coordinator | Alkawthar International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Sally Saad Hassan | Head of Biology | Al-Reeayda International School | Saudi Arabia | ME |
| Aboubakr Mohamed | Teacher of Islamic | Yasmina British Academy | UAE | ME |