Two Argentine teachers have been selected among the top 50 in the world for the GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize 2026, an initiative of the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO. They were chosen from over 5,000 nominations and applications from 139 countries worldwide.
Gloria Argentina Cisneros is a primary school teacher at School No. 793 "Don Carlos Arnaldo Jaime" in Taco Pozo, Chaco province. In an environment without clean water, basic services, or nearby medical care, Gloria managed to introduce technology, solar panels, and connectivity. She also implements innovative methodologies, such as research-based learning, AI tools, creative projects, student-produced books, a "classroom zoo," and a "traveling book." Gloria secured scholarships for her 15 current students and 35 more, as well as donations of drinking water for the school. From Monday to Friday, she lives at the school, serving as principal, teacher, caregiver, and administrator all at once.
Miguel Alejandro Rodríguez is a technical education teacher at Technical School No. 3 María Sánchez de Thompson in Buenos Aires. For over 27 years, he has worked in public schools, turning technical education into a powerful tool for social inclusion and educational mobility. Miguel replaced traditional exams with a pedagogy based on empathy and solving real-world problems. In 2012, he founded the "Cóndor Science Club," where students develop high-impact social solutions using recycled materials. His students create environmental remediation systems with fungi, renewable energy kits, and devices for detecting microorganisms in water for rural schools. His greatest achievement is creating a virtuous cycle of solidarity, where students give back to society by teaching and donating their inventions to underserved communities.
