The power of a really creative idea can have far reaching effects for people and can sometimes reward the thinker too. Two British teachers, shortlisted in the top 50 for the Varkey Foundation’s global teacher prize of $1 million, have both come up with brilliant and rewarding projects.
David Swanston teaches visually impaired children in Liverpool. To help them play rugby, he is working with Liverpool John Moores University to develop prototype balls with surface textures that are programmed to emit sounds based on which player or team has possession. People with a visual impairment have the lowest level of physical activity of any disabled group so Swanston believes it’s important that barriers are broken down and more opportunities are created for people with a visual impairment to be more active.
Cat Davison teaches at a school in Kent. She has worked with teachers and pupils in Ghana and the UK to create a network of 42 solar-powered libraries. The centres have helped 15,000 people to access educational resources.
The Varkey Foundation’s global teacher prize had over 8,000 applications and nominations for this year’s award. Our fingers are firmly crossed for both David and Cat.
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