Emiliyan Kadiyski, a teacher from the first cohort of Teach for Bulgaria’s program (2011-2013), is one of the three teachers nominated by the Ministry of Education and Science for the prestigious Global Teacher Prize 2017. Among the rest nominees are Pepa Nikolova from Raycho Karolev School in Gabrovo and Irena Trencheva from 6^th School St. Cyril and St.Methodius in Pernik.

The prize has been awarded by Varki Foundation since 2013, as its goal is to spread the word about the role of the teachers’ profession and change the way teachers are perceived.The award aims to popularize the impact the best teachers in the world have not only on their students but also for the positive changes in their communities.

The prize is under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister and Emir of Dubai. Among its ambassadors are Stephen Hawking, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and more.

The award finalists and annual winner are selected by a special Academy including government officials, school principals, members of scientific societies, journalists, entrepreneurs, company directors and scientists from all over the world.

The winner will receive one million US dollars, too. Emiliyan Kadiyski, who is 29 years old, is teaching Computer Science and Coding in N.Y.Vaptsarov Vocational School in Vratsa.

During his second year of the Teach for Bulgaria Program, he and two of his friends founded Vratsa Software. The company started offering courses in coding through which Emiliyan wants to attract as many young people as possible from one of the poorest towns in Bulgaria and create more long-term opportunities for development in the region.

In 2014, Vratsa Software won the competition for social entrepreneurs Reach for Change as well as first place in the Education category for 2016 awarded by the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies. Emiliyan is one of TFB’s alumni nominated in the 30 under 30 list by the Forbes Bulgaria Magazine.