Master’s Student from Malaysia Makes the Final 10 for a $1M Global Teacher Prize

Samuel Isaiah sits before his classroom of children in the Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang school in Muadzam Shah, Pahang, Malaysia. (Photo courtesy the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 3, 2020) — Malaysian teacher Samuel Isaiah, a master’s student in Educational Policy & Leadership with a Global Comparative Education Policy concentration, has been named a top 10 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize 2020. Now in its sixth year, the $1 million award was established by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO.

Isaiah was shortlisted for the prize from more than 12,000 nominations and applications from over 140 countries on the basis of his teaching from 2012 to 2018 at the Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang school in Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

“Sam richly deserves this honor, and his is a great example of the importance of service to underrepresented minority populations across the globe,” said Gilbert Valverde, associate professor of Educational Policy & Leadership. “He is a superb graduate student with a probing intellect, an eager and friendly curiosity, and a tenacious commitment to achieving the goals he sets for himself and for the community he serves.”

Isaiah’s students are Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Malaysia who live in the rainforests, at the fringes of society. Their educational struggle includes poverty, non-assimilation into society, and retaining their own identity and culture, compounded by classrooms with a lack of funding, infrastructure and equipment.

Isaiah arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan Runchang school in 2012 and found demotivated teachers, low attendance and a pass rate of just 30 percent in English. To boost attendance, he chose to not only teach within the school classroom — to which he had to drive 125 miles each way — but also out to the Orang Asli’s settlements in the forest.

Starting with 10 students per week, he quickly grew that number to 120, including children with special education needs. He then planned and executed a successful national crowdfunding campaign to renovate the physical condition of his classroom and provide the best technological tools for every child. He also introduced innovations to inspire his pupils, including email exchanges, poetry projects focused on the Orang Asli culture, and music, where children improved their English through songs.

The school’s average pass rate in English increased to between 80 percent and 85 percent by 2015-2018. Videos of his work are disseminated to indigenous schools throughout Malaysia by the nation’s Ministry of Education.

Isaiah arrived at UAlbany through a partial Fulbright grant on the first day of Fall 2019 classes, having received last-minute permission from his education ministry. “He came to his first class pretty much right off the plane and was impressive from the start,” said Valverde.

Hal Lawson, professor of Educational Policy & Leadership, guided Isaiah in a global leadership seminar and was equally impressed. “I join my students and faculty colleagues in congratulating Samuel,” he said, “but we are not surprised. Since our seminar began, he has offered several rich contributions to our discussions. Many derive from his leadership experiences in his home nation.” 

Isaiah expressed gratitude to his faculty and department. “Their support, and what I have been learning at the University, have significantly contributed in my plans for the indigenous community I serve,” he said. “I have not only gained confidence through my studies, but have also developed confidence in my own capabilities.”

In 2020, as Covid-19 spread, Isaiah became concerned for his wife, a doctor in Malaysia, so in March he returned home to be with her. Since the University pivoted to on-line classes, he has attended classes remotely. In the case of synchronous classes, that means his attending at very late or early hours, due to a 12-hour time difference.

For him, as with the mileage he put in to teach his students, it is a small price. “Sam has made many sacrifices to pursue his studies with us,” said Valverde.

The winner of the Global Teacher Prize will be announced Dec. 3 at a virtual Global Teacher Prize ceremony, hosted by comedian/actor/writer Stephen Fry.

Watch the video of Fry announcing Isaiah as a finalist for the 2020 Global Teacher Award below.