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DAccording to Garofalo, the award recognizes a teacher who uses social media and digital platforms to extend the impact of education beyond the classroom, positively influencing students, teachers, and communities. The Varkey Foundation selects the winner based on educational impact, consistency, engagement, and the social purpose of the content produced. Garofalo received the award at a gala dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garofalo began gaining recognition as an educator through a project using scrap materials in robotics education. \u201cIt started in a public school in S\u00e3o Paulo, in an area marked by social inequalities and environmental issues, especially illegal waste disposal,\u201d she explains. The idea was to turn discarded materials into learning tools, using robotics to foster critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and environmental awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students built prototypes like cars, boats, planes, and other devices, combining technology, sustainability, and student leadership, according to Garofalo. Over time, the project evolved, incorporating new technologies, methodologies, and reach, but kept the principle that quality education can be delivered with limited resources, as long as there are pedagogical intentionality and social commitment, the educator explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once established in the school, the project became a Brazilian public policy, implemented in 5,400 schools and reaching 3.7 million students. It was showcased at educational events, teacher training sessions, fairs, conferences, and institutional spaces in Brazil and elsewhere. \u201cIt also contributed to curriculum debates, especially in technology and innovation, influencing public policies and pedagogical practices across different education networks,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Garofalo: Education and innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThis award is not a destination, but an incentive to keep moving forward, learning, and fighting for a fairer, more humane, and transformative education<\/p>D\u00e9bora Garofalo<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\nGarofalo has visited the UAE several times for awards, educational events, conferences, and meetings organized by the Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education. She says these experiences enabled valuable exchanges with educators from various countries and opened doors for international dialogue on education, innovation, and sustainability. Sunny Varkey, founder of Varkey and GEMS, is a UAE-based entrepreneur. While Garofalo has not yet developed a continuous project or formal collaboration with institutions in the UAE or other Arab countries, she says the connections made have created important opportunities for future partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to ANBA about her motivation, Garofalo says she wants to continue showing that public schools are spaces of potential, creativity, and transformation. \u201cI want to keep expanding the reach of projects, inspiring other educators, advocating for teacher recognition, and reinforcing the idea that education is the most powerful tool to transform realities\u2014both in Brazil and worldwide,\u201d she says. Regarding the award, Garofalo adds that it is not a destination, but an incentive to keep moving forward, learning, and fighting for a fairer, more humane, and transformative education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/em>:
Private sector helps Iraq expand education<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTranslated by Guilherme Miranda<\/strong><\/p>\n
This award is not a destination, but an incentive to keep moving forward, learning, and fighting for a fairer, more humane, and transformative education<\/p>D\u00e9bora Garofalo<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Garofalo has visited the UAE several times for awards, educational events, conferences, and meetings organized by the Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education. She says these experiences enabled valuable exchanges with educators from various countries and opened doors for international dialogue on education, innovation, and sustainability. Sunny Varkey, founder of Varkey and GEMS, is a UAE-based entrepreneur. While Garofalo has not yet developed a continuous project or formal collaboration with institutions in the UAE or other Arab countries, she says the connections made have created important opportunities for future partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to ANBA about her motivation, Garofalo says she wants to continue showing that public schools are spaces of potential, creativity, and transformation. \u201cI want to keep expanding the reach of projects, inspiring other educators, advocating for teacher recognition, and reinforcing the idea that education is the most powerful tool to transform realities\u2014both in Brazil and worldwide,\u201d she says. Regarding the award, Garofalo adds that it is not a destination, but an incentive to keep moving forward, learning, and fighting for a fairer, more humane, and transformative education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more<\/em>:
Private sector helps Iraq expand education<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTranslated by Guilherme Miranda<\/strong><\/p>\n