Award winners
We are excited to celebrate our 2024 Pearson English Language Teacher Award winners!
With over 2,000 nominations from around the globe, selecting just three teachers per category was no easy task for our judges - every submission showcased incredible passion and dedication to English language education. All nominees should be proud of the impact they make every day, and we are honored to highlight the exceptional achievements of our Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in each of the five categories:
Gold winner
Aileen Alvarez, Mexico
Teacher, American School of Durango
Aileen Alvarez is from Durango, Mexico and works at the American School of Durango. She is 24 years old and started her teaching career 4 years ago.
Aileen has a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Management from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and studied English Education in the Exchange Winter’s Program at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
“I have witnessed the results firsthand— the smiles, the love, the mistakes, and the challenges. I’ve observed the positive outcomes, the valuable life lessons, the growth, the enjoyment, and the excitement. Most importantly, I have seen remarkable individuals who are truly embracing and enjoying life!"
Aileen Alvarez
Silver winner
Hirata Shinichi, Japan
Assistant Language Teacher, Nagano City Board of Education
Hirata Shinichi has been a dedicated English teacher (ALT) in Japan for 10 years. He is half Japanese and Filipino with a degree in Elementary Education and a TESOL certification from Arizona State University.
From humble beginnings, he fosters kindness, respect and leadership in his classroom, aspiring to inspire future global citizens.
“By teaching them English, I am not just teaching them a language; I am giving them the tools they need to be successful in a global world. My hope is that one day, they will look back and remember how they gained confidence in my classroom and use that confidence to make a positive impact on the world.”
Hirata Shinichi
Bronze winner
Jéssica Evelyn Moura de Abreu, Brazil
Teacher/Instructor, EMEIEF Raimundo de Moura Matos
Jéssica Evelyn Moura de Abreu is 26 years old, a Physiotherapy undergraduate and participant in a project with Pearson, teaching English in public schools in Fortaleza. Passionate about the language, she found her calling as a teacher and plans to pursue a degree in Letters, aiming to positively impact education and the community.
“I see my role as a teacher as planting seeds of self-confidence and resilience. Each lesson is an opportunity to empower my students to change their realities and aspire to a brighter future where English serves as a key to new doors.”
Jéssica Evelyn Moura de Abreu
Gold winner
Joanna Zielińska, Poland
English Teacher, I. J. Paderewski High School nr 5
Joanna Zielińska is an ESL teacher with over 20 years of experience. She is an eTwinning Ambassador and eTwinning European Quality Label awardee.
She is Global Schools Senior Mentor, TESOL/TEFL Certified Teacher, Microsoft Certified Innovative Educator, Magic School AI Certified Trainer and a graduate of Solutionary Micro-credential Program.
“Understanding the unique challenges faced by teenage learners, she employs a variety of innovative teaching methods to keep them engaged and motivated. Interactive activities, project-based learning, and the use of technology are integral parts of her lessons.”
Submitted for Joanna Zielińska
Silver winner
Shelley Silvas, United States
District EL Specialist, Harrison County School District
Shelley Silvas, based in Gulfport, MS, is a District EL Specialist with over 17 years of experience in ESL education, curriculum development and teacher training. She is passionate about building students' confidence in using English while embracing their unique identities, fostering a supportive classroom where students feel valued and empowered.
Shelley believes bilingualism is a superpower and strives to create culturally aware environments, celebrating students’ backgrounds and encouraging self-expression.
“I believe that building this confidence requires more than just teaching language skills; it involves showing students that they have a voice, helping them believe they can achieve anything, emphasizing that being bilingual is a superpower, and fostering cultural awareness in schools.”
Shelley Silvas
Bronze winner
Chi Anestin Lum, Cameroon
English language teacher and teacher trainer, Institut des Techniques Industrielles d'Etoug-Ebe
Anestin is an award-winning language educator and teacher trainer from Cameroon. She is passionate about innovative teaching methodologies and teachers’ continuous professional development and has invested extensively in supporting teachers in Cameroon, in particular and sub-Saharan Africa, in general.
“Anestin fosters an atmosphere where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures. This approach reduces the fear of judgment among students, encouraging them to participate more actively in class discussions.”
Submitted for Chi Anestin Lum
Gold winner
Ashley Fifer, United States
Professor of ESL, Nassau Community College
Ashley Fifer teaches ESL writing and reading courses in the English department at Nassau Community College (NCC). She previously taught in the Language Immersion Program (LINCC) at NCC. She serves on the Women’s Faculty Association board and First Year Experience Committee and has presented at several TESOL International Conferences.
“Having learned a second language myself, I know that it’s a constant struggle between confidence and caution (“Be brave!” “Try to speak!” but also “Watch your verb tenses!” “Check your pronunciation of that word!”). My students are often single parents, full-time students, full-time workers, or some combination of these. As such, they have so many responsibilities to balance and I consider it an honor that they choose my class as part of their daily schedule.”
Ashley Fifer
Silver winner
Rick Romanko, Japan
Professor, Wayō Women's University
Rick Romanko is a professor and chair of the Foreign Language Division at Wayo Women’s University in Chiba, Japan. He has been teaching at the university level in Japan for over 20 years. His main areas of interest are extensive reading, corpora-informed vocabulary and language learning, and materials development.
“Rick’s ability to connect with learners on both an academic and personal level ensures that his students not only perform well in class but carry their newfound confidence into their future endeavors, both inside and outside of English.”
Submission for Rick Romanko
Bronze winner
Binh Nguyen, Vietnam
Director & Teacher, Blearning Education
Binh Nguyen is the founder and teacher of Blearning Education, Thành Phố Mỹ Tho, Tien Giang, Vietnam. With a mission to make high-quality, affordable English education accessible to every student in the province, Binh is passionate about empowering the next generation through language skills and inspires students to reach their fullest potential in English and beyond.
“My journey as an educator has been about more than teaching a language—it's about helping students realize that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible when they believe in themselves and their ability to learn.”
Binh Nguyen
Gold winner
Lee Lam Tai, Hong Kong
English Teacher, Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School (Branch)
Mr. Lee Lam Tai (Master of Teaching with Distinction) is a primary school teacher at Lok Sin Tong Leung Kau Kui Primary School (Branch) in Hong Kong. He started teaching in 2017. He teaches English Language and Visual Arts and has won several e-learning awards from the University of Hong Kong.
“By combining gamification and AI, my students are motivated to learn English in a fun, engaging way, leading to improved language skills and confidence. This innovative approach demonstrates the potential for technology to transform language education, fostering an environment where learners can learn English confidently.”
Lee Lam Tai
Silver winner
Ulfa Rafiqha, Indonesia
English Teacher, SDS eka tjipta sungai beran
Ulfa Rafiqha has been an inspiring English educator since 2016, motivating students in various campuses and high schools.
Currently teaching in a formal school since 2022, she continues to empower and engage students, sharing her knowledge and passion for learning in the West Kalimantan remote area of Indonesia.
“Against the backdrop of palm oil trees and the relentless challenges of their environment, Miss Ulfa inspires confidence, resilience, and excellence in her learners. She is not just teaching a language; she is cultivating a generation of empowered individuals, ready to embrace the world with open hearts and minds”
Submission for Ulfa Rafiqha
Bronze winner
Hatice Karaaslan, Turkey
ELF Instructor and Learning Advisor, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
Hatice Karaaslan PhD is a cognitive scientist and language instructor specializing in social-emotional learning, reflective practice, and mentoring. With extensive experience in curriculum design, qualitative research, and instructional innovation, she advises on learner autonomy and supports professional development in education.
"I never thought I could enjoy learning English until I joined her class. She has a gift for teaching. I am grateful for everything Hatice Hoca has done for us. She is not just a teacher; she is a mentor.”
Submission for Hatice Karaaslan
Gold winner
Brenda Asande, Kenya
Teaching Assistant, Ezra Gumbe Comprehensive School under Teach for Kenya
Brenda Asande is a passionate teaching fellow currently serving at Ezra Gumbe Comprehensive School. She runs a reading club to bridge the literacy gap.
For making her learners feel safe and seen, she won the Teach for Kenya teacher of the year award 2024 (caregiver category).
"It's been a journey of a thousand worthy repetitions and patience plus tears. Many times during my personal evaluations I had to ask myself if I had really given my all. My heart broke several times when I saw them underperforming simply because they could not understand the English questions that were set in their assessments."
Brenda Asande.
Silver winner
Edgardo Brassat, Argentina
Teacher, Interchange Institute
Edgardo Brassat has been learning English since he was 9 years old back in Concordia where he was born. When Edgardo moved to Rosario, he continued to study until getting the C2 Proficiency. Edgardo then decided to enter the Teachers' Training College and completed a degree with the Teaching Knowledge Test. He says "Here I am today! Short experience, long future though."
"It's about being engaged, willing to do, and fully invested in their growth. This active participation allows me to model commitment and resilience, inspiring students in their own journeys."
Edgardo Brassat.
Bronze winner
Agiimaa Sukhbold, Mongolia
Teacher, Khanbogd Second school
I am Agiimaa Sukhbold, a recent graduate and an English language teacher at the Khanbogd 2nd school. In my classes, I endeavor to create a comfortable, free, and fun environment where every student's opinion matters. I enjoy reading, exercising, and watching cartoons in my leisure time.
“Teachers have to be aware of their influence, of how their words, actions, and attitudes affect students’ confidence to learn. Most importantly, English lessons are to make students feel that they are more than capable enough to learn it and that learning a language is not a temporary action but a life-long journey.”
Agiimaa Sukhbold