Abra educator finalist in Global Teacher Prize

By Ginalyn B. Brioso

TAYUM, Abra -- Francis Jim Tuscano, an educator from Abra,   has made it to the top 50 finalists of the 2017 Global Teacher Prize (GTP), an award conferred to an exceptional teacher worldwide for incomparable efforts and contribution to the teaching profession.

Tuscano is the only Filipino in the list of Top 50 finalists in this prestigious award by the Varkey Foundation under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Emir of Dubai.

The finalists were chosen from among 20,000 nominations from 179 countries.   

Tuscano’s accomplishments qualified him to the GTP like innovative teaching and learning approaches to his students, being  a model teacher to his fellow educators through excellent and continuous professional learning, acknowledged school, local and national community efforts, expertise and experiences in using technological tools in supporting best pedagogical practices such as the use of iPad in class and leading the school through giving high-quality training sessions for teachers.

“I have made my multi-touch book, iPad Activities for the Christian RE class, dedicated to guiding Filipino and international Religious Educators with use of the iPad in class.”

The book was a finalist in the 2016 iBooks Author Conference in the United States, under the category, Best iBook of the Year (Education, Overall).

Among his awards were Pineau-Clifford Educator’s Award for Outstanding Faculty in Xavier School, San Juan and Best Professional Blog of the Year in Xavier School with his professional learning website “www.francisjimtuscano.com - Mr. T’s Online Blackboard”.

He is also recognized by Apple, Inc and Google Philippines for his achievements and innovations in teaching and learning with tech tools in the classroom.

He is a member of the global community of Apple Distinguished Educators and a Google Education Group Leader for Ortigas, Philippines.

Tuscano served as resource speaker to numerous trainings and workshops organized by the Department of Education here  particularly in Tayum Central School, his Alma Mater.

“Knowing the limitations of certain schools like in the public school system  where computers or tech tools are not present, I also give trainings and seminars on innovative, non-digital approaches to learning such as growth mindset, visible thinking routines, and employment of inquiry-based learning among others to help push the Philippine education system out of the traditional mindset, ”  he expressed.

“If I win the grand prize, I planned to use it for teacher training for public schools and to set up coding and robotics for public school students,” he said.