Keishia Thorpe

Keishia Thorpe
Born
Jamaica
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHoward University, US
OccupationTeacher
Years active2006 – present
AwardsGlobal Teacher Prize (2021)

Keishia Thorpe is an American teacher. She won the Global Teacher Prize in 2021 for redesigning the 12th grade English curriculum to make it more relevant to immigrants and refugees.

Biography

Thorpe was born in Jamaica and raised by her grandmother. After moving to the US, she and her identical twin sister, Treisha Thorpe, were awarded track and field scholarships to study in the US. Her pre-law and English studies at Howard University led to her graduation in 2003.[1]

Thorpe started teaching in 2006. She joined the International High School at Langley Park, Maryland, as an English teacher in 2018, where she was also assigned with revising the English curriculum for the 12th grade. Besides teaching, she also founded, along with her sister, the non-profit organization U.S. Elite International Track and Field.[1]

In 2021, she was chosen from the list of 50 finalists for the Varkey Foundation's yearly $1 million Global Teacher Prize. She is the second American to win the prize.[1][2][3][4]

Awards and recognition

Year Title Result Presented by Ref.
2018 - 2019 LifeChanger of the Year Won National Life Group [5]
2021 Medal of Excellence Won Governor of Maryland [3]
2021 Global Teacher Prize Won Varkey Foundation [1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Strauss, Valerie (November 10, 2021). "Prince George's County teacher wins $1 million global educator prize". The Washington Post.
  2. ^ Talmazan, Yuliya (November 11, 2021). "Maryland high school teacher wins $1M Global Teacher Prize". NBC News.
  3. ^ a b "Maryland high school teacher Keishia Thorpe wins $1 million Global Teacher Prize". CBS News. November 18, 2021.
  4. ^ Ginzo, Julián (October 1, 2022). "Why she won?". UN Today.
  5. ^ White, Taneasha (11 November 2021). "Maryland High School English Teacher Wins Global Teacher Prize". Inside Edition.