Texas middle school teacher Akash Patel has been named a 2018 Global Teacher Finalist by The Varkey Foundation. The nonprofit Foundation recognizes outstanding teachers from all over the world each year who have made an outstanding contribution to their profession. Of the 50 finalists, the winning teacher receives a cash prize of $1 million.

Akash, who speaks five languages, teaches Spanish at Thomas J. Rusk Middle School, a Title I school located in Dallas, Texas. The school’s student population is 100% socio-economically disadvantaged. His students come from backgrounds that include gang activity, drug addiction, and juvenile offenders.

Akash inaugurated his teaching career in 2015 in small rural communities in Oklahoma. In his first year, he was recognized by the State Department of Education as their January Educator of the Month, and the Multicultural Education Institute as their Multicultural Teacher of the Year.

To promote global citizenship, Akash connects his classroom with professionals from around the world using social media platforms such as Skype, Google Hangout, and Adobe Connect. Over 1,000 volunteers from over 150 countries have joined his Global Connect database at the World Experiences Foundation, a charitable organization Akash founded.

In addition to his classroom duties, Akash is a frequent speaker at local and national conference, and he has trained over 5,000 teachers in Oklahoma to use his Global Connect database and other multicultural programs.

Learn more about this remarkable teacher by viewing the YouTube video below: