#299 Three signed copies of Those Who Can, Teach: What it Takes to Make the Next Generation by Andria Zafirakou MBE

'An amazing book . . . Read it gang, honestly' Zoe Ball

'I haven't read a book for a long time that so often had me close to tears' Observer

'Inspirational . . . You can call this good teaching; what it looks like is love' Evening Standard

The powerful, inspiring story of Andria Zafirakou, 'the best teacher in the world', and what it takes to work on the frontlines of education today

Arts teacher Andria Zafirakou was always a rule-breaker. At her inner-city London school where more than eighty languages are spoken, she would sense urgent needs; mending uniforms, calling social services, shielding vulnerable teens from gangs. And she would tailor each class to its pupils, fiercely believing in the power of art to unlock trauma, or give a mute child the confidence to speak. Time and again, she would be proved right.

So in 2018, when Andria won the million-dollar Global Teacher Prize, she knew exactly where the money would go: back into arts education for all. Because today, the UK government's cuts and curriculum changes are destroying the arts, while their refusal to tackle the most dangerous threats faced by children - cyber-bullying, gang violence, hunger and deprivation - puts teachers on the safeguarding frontline.

Andria's story is a rallying wake-up call that shows what life is really like for schoolchildren today, and a moving insight into the extraordinary people shaping the next generation.

Praise for Andria Zafirakou:

'A magic combination of belief and compassion' Financial Times

'Andria Zafirakou should be an inspiration to all' i

'Zafirakou's generosity offers a gleam of hope in a world that can seem unremittingly dark' Guardian

'An amazing person . . . What struck me was just her sheer joy' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2

'Where others might have given up, Andria has made it her mission to ensure [her students] get the best possible start in life' Daily Mail

About Andria Zafirakou:

IT ALL STARTED WHEN…

Andria Zafirakou, a teacher at Alperton Community School in Brent., won $1 million when she was crowned the best teacher in the world.

Andria was born in north-west London to Greek-Cypriot parents and state-educated in Brent and Camden.

She is an art and textiles teacher in Brent on the outskirts of London, one of the world’s most ethnically diverse places. She is passionate about education and changing the lives of young people and underserved communities through creativity.

She has worked her entire teaching career of 14 years at Alperton Community School and was promoted to Deputy Head of Art within a year of her arrival. She is now Associate Deputy Headteacher leading on staff professional development.

Using the prize money awarded by the Global Teacher prize, Andria founded a charity called Artists in Residence (AiR) with an aim to improve arts education in schools.  

Andria has also been named in the top ten of The Evening Standard's 1000 Londoners List. A list of the most influential people in London.