Lessons in Life: Andria Zafirakou

Winner of the Global Teacher Prize celebrates her inspiring new book

What can the best teachers in the world tell us about our children? What advice can they give to help us raise happy, confident, and caring kids?

Teachers spend a lot of time with their pupils – talking and listening to them, observing, and guiding them. What can we learn from teachers about helping kids become compassionate, contented, and successful grown-ups, as well as conscientious global citizens? In Lessons in Life, Andria Zafirakou – the 2018 Global Teacher Prize winner – talks to 30 of the best teachers in the world willing to share their insight and wisdom, gained from years of working with children of all ages. The result is an inspiring, moving, and fascinating read that will help parents identify a child’s potential and give them the tools to shine.

Andria will be in conversation with festival director Thomas du Plessis.

Andria Zafirakou

Andria Zafirakou was born in north-west London to Greek-Cypriot parents and attended state schools in Brent and Camden. She has worked her entire teaching career of fourteen years at Alperton Community School, where she is an art and textiles teacher and Associate Deputy Headteacher. Her willingness to go above and beyond for her students saw her win the Global Teacher Prize, dubbed the ‘Nobel of Teaching’, in March 2018. With the prize money of $1 million, Andria set up Artists in Residence, a charity that brings professional artists into disadvantaged schools across the UK. In 2019, she was awarded an MBE for her services to education. She is a Culture Leader for the World Economic Forum and a member of the Global Future Leaders Council, and has been named one of the top ten most influential people in London by the Evening Standard. She lives in London with her husband and two daughters.