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| UK finalist in $1m global teacher prize | UK finalist in $1m global teacher prize |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A science teacher from north-east England is among 10 finalists of a competition to find the world's best teacher. | A science teacher from north-east England is among 10 finalists of a competition to find the world's best teacher. |
| Richard Spencer from Middlesbrough College is the only UK representative left in the Global Teacher Prize, with the winner to receive $1m (£650,000). | Richard Spencer from Middlesbrough College is the only UK representative left in the Global Teacher Prize, with the winner to receive $1m (£650,000). |
| He is up against teachers from countries including the US, India, Kenya and Afghanistan. | He is up against teachers from countries including the US, India, Kenya and Afghanistan. |
| The international prize is designed to raise the status of teaching. | The international prize is designed to raise the status of teaching. |
| 'Light-bulb moment' | 'Light-bulb moment' |
| Mr Spencer switched to teaching after completing a PhD in molecular biology. | |
| He says he enjoys the "light-bulb moments" in teaching when "challenging topics start to make sense to students". | He says he enjoys the "light-bulb moments" in teaching when "challenging topics start to make sense to students". |
| Previously appointed an MBE for services to science communication, Mr Spencer uses unorthodox approaches to convey his lessons, including song and dance, role-play and learning games. | Previously appointed an MBE for services to science communication, Mr Spencer uses unorthodox approaches to convey his lessons, including song and dance, role-play and learning games. |
| Mr Spencer, who has worked on international science education projects, says teachers can benefit from sharing ideas with colleagues in other countries. | Mr Spencer, who has worked on international science education projects, says teachers can benefit from sharing ideas with colleagues in other countries. |
| The Global Teacher Prize, which will be awarded for the first time next month, has been created by the Varkey Foundation, part of the Dubai-based GEMS international education group. It has received entries from 127 countries. | |
| The idea behind the competition and the million-dollar prize is to raise public recognition for the importance of the teaching profession and to encourage high-quality recruits. | The idea behind the competition and the million-dollar prize is to raise public recognition for the importance of the teaching profession and to encourage high-quality recruits. |
| 'Rewarding' | 'Rewarding' |
| Mr Spencer says that "teaching is a profession that everyone has an opinion about", not least because "everyone has had experiences of good and bad teachers". | Mr Spencer says that "teaching is a profession that everyone has an opinion about", not least because "everyone has had experiences of good and bad teachers". |
| He describes it as a "very rewarding" career. | He describes it as a "very rewarding" career. |
| But whoever wins the million dollars will not be able to walk away from the classroom, as the money will be paid in instalments over a decade and a condition of winning is staying as a teacher for at least five years. | But whoever wins the million dollars will not be able to walk away from the classroom, as the money will be paid in instalments over a decade and a condition of winning is staying as a teacher for at least five years. |
| Sunny Varkey, founder of the foundation, said: "We introduced the prize in order to return teachers to their rightful position, belonging to one of the most respected professions in society. | Sunny Varkey, founder of the foundation, said: "We introduced the prize in order to return teachers to their rightful position, belonging to one of the most respected professions in society. |
| "The many applications prove that the prize is not only about money, it's also about unearthing thousands of stories of inspiration." | "The many applications prove that the prize is not only about money, it's also about unearthing thousands of stories of inspiration." |
| Former US president Bill Clinton, the foundation's honorary chairman, said: "Attracting the best people to teaching, developing and supporting their skills, and holding our teachers in high regard - all are critically important to achieve excellence, both in teaching and learning." | Former US president Bill Clinton, the foundation's honorary chairman, said: "Attracting the best people to teaching, developing and supporting their skills, and holding our teachers in high regard - all are critically important to achieve excellence, both in teaching and learning." |
| The other nine finalists are: | The other nine finalists are: |