Poland's Ewa Drobek teaches English and German at the Narcyza Żmichowska High School no. 15 in Warsaw. She is also a class tutor and initiator of many educational projects, for which she has received as many as fifteen awards.
It was recently announced that Ewa Drobek made it onto the top-ten finalists shortlist of the 2026 Global Teacher Prize - also known as the "Nobel for Teachers". It is a historic achievement, as no Polish teacher has ever made it this far in this prestigious contest - and more than 5.000 teachers from around the world applied in the current edition.
The nomination cites that Drobek is an educator with twenty-five years of teaching experience who has transformed the lives of thousands through innovative language teaching methods, creative artistic projects, and an unwavering commitment to equality, empathy, and excellence. She prioritizes inclusion in her teaching, supporting students with disabilities, refugees, and those at risk of exclusion.
Apart from teaching and running school-related projects, Ewa Drobek authored 76 publications for teachers, and co-authored two e-books on innovation and combating disinformation translated into numerous languages. She is also a teacher-mentor for leading Polish educational foundations, including School with Class and Teach for Poland.
The Global Teacher Prize has been awarded by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO since 2015. Its goal is to recognize teachers, highlight their profession, and promote innovative teaching methods.
"The world's best teachers are transforming lives through education. Whether teaching in remote villages or innovating in inner-city schools, they promote inclusivity, defend children's rights, and drive positive change" - the award's manifest reads.
Each year the teacher who wins receives a prize of 1 million US dollars, paid in instalments over a 10-year period. This year's Global Teacher Prize winner will be announced at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, UAE, scheduled to be held from the 3rd till 5th of February 2026.
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Source: gov.pl