BROWNSVILLE — A Brooklyn principal known for her dedication and influence is among 50 educators in the running for a $1 million international prize.
Nadia Lopez, founding principal of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brownsville, was tapped as a finalist for this year’s Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize.
The award commends exceptional educators who have made great contributions to their profession.
“Immediately when I found out, I just thought about it being a tremendous honor, especially because this is considered ‘the Nobel Peace Prize of education,’” Lopez said.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity to put on an international stage the recognition of the hard work that teachers do around the world.”
Lopez and Mott Hall gained worldwide acclaim when photography blog Humans of New York spotlighted one of her middle school students.
Eighth-grader Vidal Chastanet told photographer Brandon Stanton that his principal was the most influential person in his life.
"When we get in trouble, she doesn't suspend us," he told the blog.
"She calls us to her office and explains to us how society was built down around us. And she tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter."
His words resulted in an online fundraising campaign that raised more than $1.4 million for the school and a trip to the White House and Harvard and television appearances around the country for Lopez.
In the wake of the middle school’s recognition, Lopez has since implemented an informational “College Week” for students, and kids from sixth through eighth grades will visit universities and colleges in the spring, she said.
The principal also created a summer Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) program.
Her students, whom she refers to as “scholars,” participated in an urban horticulture curriculum, along with financial literacy classes and a social justice course that focused on an historical analysis of “Black Lives Matter.”
“I want to renew the sense that education truly matters and our teachers need to have recognition for the work that they’re doing,” Lopez said.
“What I try to create at Mott Hall Bridges Academy is this model of preparing kids to take over the world and giving them access to as many opportunities as possible that do not limit their perspective on where they can go, or what they can do.”
The Global Teacher Prize is in its second year and Lopez is one of eight U.S. educators included in the 50 finalists.
The top 50 were shortlisted from 8,000 nominations and applications from 148 countries, according to the foundation.
A committee will decide on the winner in March based on a criteria that includes innovative and effective instruction, contribution to public debates on teaching and recognition of a teacher’s achievements in the classroom and beyond.
If she wins the $1 million, Lopez said she’d use the funds to prioritize her teachers’ needs by helping in their professional development, bolster the school’s technology for students and give kids the opportunity for international travel.
To add to the school's entrepreneurship program, she would like to create a start-up fund for scholars, adding that the next Mark Zuckerberg could come from a middle school in Brownsville.
The principal also hopes to create a program for parents to provide resources and support services for mental health and trade skills.
“There are so many extraordinary educators out there who are doing God’s work, literally,” Lopez said. “I want them to stay encouraged and to know that there is a platform that’s recognizing their work.
“This opportunity is not just about me, it’s about speaking up and saying that it's important to know that if we don’t do something to honor the teachers that are currently in our building, then the future for our children will be at stake.”
