Bedfordian wins 'Global Best Teacher Award'

A man from Bedford, who is now a headteacher in Chile, has won the English Speaking Union's (ESU) Global Best Teacher Award.

David Massiah was shocked when the ESU President called him to tell him the news last week.

He is the LAHC Executive Headteacher for Chile (Latin American Heads Conference) and Headteacher of Redland School, in Chile.

In November, David was one of three country finalists for the National Best Teacher Award in Chile. All finalists from around the world were automatically registered for the ESU Global Best Teacher Award in London.

After interviews, reviewing references and evidence by the central panel David was confirmed as coming first, winning the Global Award last week.

David has worked in England, Peru and Israel, has a passion for helping students develop a voice that links social action and excellence.

He said: "I appreciate how the ESU promotes teachers having academic rigour and theory, practical teaching expertise, social impact and sharing best practice. The ESU team in Chile, led by Jonathan Callund do a great job in supporting teachers and the ESU mission."

"I try to help every student see what kind of leader they are in classes and develop the ‘nobility of excellence’ in the full school community and wider region.

"In developing Model United Nations (MUN) students understand the power of speaking to shape and negotiate international resolutions to solve global problems.

"Furthermore, all students need to understand the power of their “ nobility of excellence ”voice to literally change or create local public policies to solve local public problems through the

council which is what I have been leading through ‘Project Citizen’ with a brilliant team."

The ESU is a society that was founded in 1913 for the advancement of education in the English-speaking world and has 55 branches around the world.

He studied at Bedford School, trained at Cambridge University and Harvard University, specializing in English and then education management.

David, whose parents still live in Kempston, believes growing up in Bedford helped shape the teacher he is today.

He said: "You know the saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and I certainly feel very grateful to the Bedfordshire community that I grew up in, for the schools, churches, NGOs, sports clubs, multi-cultural community, and the social events that I had the privilege to be part of."

Jane Easton, ESU Director-General, said: "David highlighted how the role of oracy (speaking and listening sills) is not just giving individuals skills, but empowering them to bring about social change.

"The values of leadership and service are made central to an active and activist culture of oracy."

David added:"Thanks to (late) Dr. Palmer at Bedford School for his passion in teaching me English and believing in me, to Geoff Barton for his creative, caring management, to the deeply committed English and MUN teachers and students I’ve had the privilege to work with, to Andy Cino, David Mitchell and the full Newton College community for developing social impact and excellence through learning, to the awesome LAHC ESD Committee in Peru (sustainability), to the incredible Project Citizen team in Lima and the municipalidad of Las Condes for inspiring civic leadership, to the LAHC and ESU community in Peru, Chile and across the region for enabling me to be part of such exciting student leadership growth and staff development, and finally to my family and wife for being such a driving force through it all."