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News 2 > Global Teacher Prize - Finalists > 2025 Finalists Global Teacher Prize > Zakiah Al-Lahyani

Zakiah Al-Lahyani

Saudi Arabia - 134 Elemanty School, Makkah

Zakiah Al-Lahyani, an English-as-a-foreign-language teacher at 134 Elementary School in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, has dedicated 24 years to her mission of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and moral development among her students. Guided by Vision 2030, her teaching philosophy focuses on preparing future leaders through innovative educational practices, cultural inclusivity, and a commitment to community impact. 

As a Microsoft Expert Educator, Zakiah has pioneered initiatives that combine technology, creativity, and global citizenship. Her work in combating extremism through education began in 2006, resulting in projects such as a bilingual YouTube channel promoting tolerance and the award-winning “I am My Country” Android application.  

She is passionate about preserving Saudi heritage and has dedicated herself to creating children's books and songs that celebrate it, such as The Red Place Story. She also created Saudi heritage-themed educational dolls and authored children’s books that emphasise tolerance and critical thinking, earning her recognition like the Moderation Award in 2017. 

Zakiah’s teaching approach exemplifies innovation, leveraging tools like Minecraft Education to create interactive lessons that promote teamwork, critical thinking, and digital literacy. Her "Family" lesson for fourth graders utilised a custom virtual world to teach family vocabulary while fostering collaboration. Her inventive use of educational puppets, such as her self-designed doll “Zoka,” has revolutionised English learning for young children. By integrating entertainment, songs, and cultural elements, Zakiah has made her classroom an engaging, inclusive space where attendance rates soar. 

Her dedication extends beyond the classroom. Zakiah’s students, from a diverse range of cultural and national backgrounds, benefit from her ability to foster cultural harmony and social justice. Through initiatives like "Tolerance Unites Us," which won the 2023 National Dialogue Award, she cultivates a spirit of inclusivity and global citizenship. Her classroom environment, adorned with characters representing Saudi and global cultures, and her original compositions on tolerance inspire both empathy and understanding among her students. 

Zakiah’s measurable achievements reflect her exceptional impact, with training workshops for national tests significantly improving her school’s scores in 2024, while her students excelled in competitions, such as the English Language Olympiad and the Saudi Culture Competition. Her creative plays and educational songs have gained wide acclaim, including her celebrated composition on tolerance, which had over 43,000 views on YouTube. 

Beyond teaching, Zakiah is deeply committed to community service. Her "My Family Reads" initiative promotes literacy and knowledge-sharing within families, while her environmental programs, such as “Green Classroom,” teach sustainability and recycling. Her book Be Like Munira and Saud introduced children to environmental awareness, linking their actions to global goals like “Life Below Water” and “Life on Land.” 

Zakiah’s contributions have elevated the teaching profession, as she consistently shares best practices with colleagues through workshops, conferences, and sustainable programmes like "Towards Excellence in Teaching English." Her open-access resources on YouTube and innovative approaches to classroom engagement have influenced educators worldwide. 

For Zakiah, teaching is a lifelong journey of growth and innovation. Her vision for the future includes establishing an association to promote peace and tolerance among children globally, strengthening her role as an educator who transcends borders to inspire change. 

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