Kiwi teacher finalist in million dollar teaching prize
Thursday, 30 January 2025
A New Zealand mathematics and statistics teacher has been short-listed for an international teaching prize worth more than NZ$1.7 million.
Subash Chandar K, a teacher at Ormiston Junior College in Auckland, is one of the top 10 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize.
The prize is awarded to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession. It also aims to shine a spotlight on the important role teachers play in society and is a collaboration between the Varkey Foundation and Unesco.
Chandar K uses technology to inspire students and show them practical applications for what they are learning in NCEA.
He runs a YouTube channel called InfinityPlusOne where he has more than 55,000 followers. There, he posts exam preparation sessions, calculator and equation tutorials.
Chandar K previously told Stuff he noticed a disconnect between written equations and problem solving and what they could be used for – like moving robotic equipment.
“The kids always ask, ‘What will I ever use pythagoras or trigonometry for?’,” he said.
When announced in the top 10, Chandar K was described as “an innovative mathematics educator whose inspiring journey from academic struggles to teaching excellence exemplifies resilience and passion”.
The judges also noted he leverages technology and creative teaching methods to make maths accessible and engaging for thousands of students every year.
They also noted his students’ “significantly reduced failure rates”.
Chandar K told Stuff he came across the prize in 2017 and began working towards each criteria as a personal goal.
From there, he was selected from over 5000 nominations and applications from 89 countries around the world.
The winner will be announced at the World Governments Summit, taking place in Dubai from 11-13 February.
Chandar K is already a multi-award-winning teacher.
In 2018, he awarded the National Excellence in Education Awards (NEiTA) top honour for his inspiring work as a mathematics and statistics teacher. He is a current semifinalist for the 2025 New Zealander of the Year Local Hero Award, an award for which he was nominated by a mysterious third person late last year.
An earlier version of this story said a third person nominated Chandar K for the Global Teacher Prize. Instead, it was a third person that nominated him for the Local Hero Award. (Amended 12.45pm, January 30, 2025)