Team Blitz India
GINA Justus, an English high school teacher at Our Own English High School, Sharjah Girls Branch, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been named the regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region at the prestigious 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. Hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Gina has been a pillar of the UAE’s education sector since 2005.
In its sixth edition, the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, a globally acclaimed competition, lauds exemplary primary and secondary school educators. With an overwhelming response this year, garnering over 14,840 nominations from 141 nations, the competition underscores the profound impact teachers wield in shaping the educational trajectory of their students. The forthcoming winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards will be determined through a public voting process, with the grand announcement slated for 29th May.
As the regional winner, Gina is set to receive £500 worth of books for her classroom, a prestigious trophy, participation in a regional awards ceremony, and extensive publicity for herself and her school throughout the upcoming year. Additionally, she will be featured on a special ‘thank you’ page within new Cambridge textbooks, amplifying her impact on a global scale.
Gina’s recognition stems from her outstanding mentorship and dedication to charity, particularly highlighted by her involvement with Reach Worldwide, where she has sponsored five underprivileged children deprived of education. Her commitment to enhancing teaching standards through workshops within her department has also earned commendation from the judging panel.
“I’ve always had a passion for teaching and to be recognised with this award is a great honour. In my 17- year career at Our Own English High School, I’ve really enjoyed exploring innovative strategies of teaching and learning,” Gina said.
