Three beloved teachers have received top marks and proved to be a class above the rest after a nationwide vote from students, parents and the wider community in a first-of-its-kind initiative.
The ‘Best Teacher Award’ by D3 Consultants was aimed at being a ‘thoughtful appreciation’ of the top tutors and the life-long impact they have on the lives of the young.
The initiative attracted the participation of more than 750 students from more than 30 schools across the kingdom casting their votes for their favourite teachers.
“The hard work and dedication of teachers in schools across the education sector during the pandemic has been inspiring, and while our teachers deserve the kingdom’s recognition every year, this year, D3 Consultants’ first-of-its-kind initiative has shed light on the amazing teachers that are making a difference in the lives of their students, schools and ultimately the society as a whole,” D3 Consultants managing partner Rima Kaissi said.
“The support teachers provide children, young people and adults has been remarkable, and each and every one of us should be grateful for the part they have played over the past 24 months.”
Al Hekma International School science teacher Sami Mahmoud Metwealli claimed the top spot, followed by AlNaseem International School maths teacher Hazem Aly Abouelez in second and Quality Education School social studies teacher Ali Al Hur Al Basri in third.
The awards were presented at the company’s offices in Sanabis, which included cash prizes for each of the winners – BD500, BD350 and BD250 for the first, second and third place respectively – as well as gift vouchers from the contest’s gold sponsor YK Almoayyed.
“Congratulations to Mr Metwealli, Mr Abouelez and Mr Al Basri, the ‘Best Teacher Award’ winning teachers for 2022 and every teacher who has gone above and beyond, inspiring and shaping our future generations to be the best they can be,” Ms Kaissi added. “We would also like to thank our sponsor YK Almoayyed and everyone who participated and made this initiative succeed.”
Collectively, the nominations captured the essence of what makes a good teacher a great one – creative classroom teaching, connecting with students for whom an exceptional adult role model makes all the difference and an uncanny ability to push students beyond what they thought possible.
Mr Metwealli, ecstatic about the win, said the award is the best one he has ever received throughout his 11 years as a teacher, because it came from the students and their parents.
He hopes it means that he is ‘on the right path’ with his teaching practices and mentorship.
The 35-year-old Egyptian expatriate said he deals with his students as his friends and always tries to speak to and reach their hearts before he does their minds.
“The student’s heart is the shortest path to success,” he explained.
Mr Metwalli added that he makes intense efforts to understand his students and listen to them, while sharing everything with them – whether it be rules, decisions, feelings or results.
Second-place Mr Abouelez, also Egyptian, said he felt ‘grateful and appreciated’ about receiving the accolade and admits it has made him more motivated than ever throughout the teaching and learning process.
“What I love the most about teaching is the fact that I am able to transfer knowledge to young people,” the 37-year-old said.
“I believe that each student is special in some areas and every student deserves a chance to achieve their goals.”
In his 14 years as an educator, Mr Abouelez has been able to help his students through their learning journey and help play a part in building their unique personalities.
Mr Al Basri, a Bahraini citizen who has been working in the teaching field since 2019, is very proud and humbled by his win. The 29-year-old said he loves building people up on various levels, whether it be cognitively, behaviourally, productively, proficiently or creatively.
He attributes his win to the sciences and his mastery of various skills, as well as his continual renewal of teaching methods and tools, which he believes is what makes a successful teacher.
merlin@gdn.com.bh
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