PARIS, (Reuters) – On Wednesday, Keishia Thorpe (high school teacher in Paris), received the Global Teacher Prize. It is an award worth $1 million or 86,000 euros each year. Thorpe has dedicated her life to immigrant education in the United States.

Thorpe was surrounded by her family, and watched the Paris prize ceremony via video link. She laughed, then she sobbed.

She said, “I am just thankful to God for this moment.”

Thorpe stated that she was encouraging every black child that is able to look like her and any other child who feels excluded and that has a similar story as mine.

We must make sure all students succeed. No laws nor policies can stop that.

Thorpe, who teaches English at the International High School Langley Park (Bladensburg), Maryland to students in 12th grades is fluent in English.

According to the award citation, more than 85% of the pupils are Hispanic. 95% identify themselves as low-income.

Thorpe was born in Jamaica to poverty and immigrated to the United States as a track-and-field scholarship recipient. She volunteered to tutor students in inner-city schools while she was studying and felt inspired to teach them.

Her advocacy for equal access and minority students outside of the classroom has led to her being a champion for them. According to the citation, she also established a non-profit that provides support services for immigrant student and their families.

Sometimes, the Global Teacher Prize has been called “The Nobel Prize for Teachers”. The Varkey Foundation (a philanthropic foundation) founded it and partnered with UN cultural organization UNESCO in Paris.

Ranjitsinh disale won the $1million prize last year for his efforts in teaching girls from rural communities of western India, most of whom are poor, to a school at their village.

(1 euro = $1.1564)