Pablo Ariel Mollo Graña

Pablo Ariel Mollo Graña is an inspiring educator and advocate for children’s rights, transforming education for vulnerable communities in Uruguay. A graduate of the University of Salamanca, Pablo has dedicated his life to teaching in schools where students face extreme social, economic, and personal challenges, including abuse, violence, and deprivation. Drawing on his background in law and a Master’s degree in Learning Environment Design and Innovation from UTEC University, he has created pioneering identity-based learning programs that empower students to understand and claim their rights. 

Throughout his career, Pablo has implemented the innovative "Identity Funds" model, using students’ cultural, social, and historical identities as tools to teach subjects in meaningful ways. By linking classroom learning to students’ lived experiences, particularly through football—a central community identity—he has increased student engagement, attendance, and behavioral outcomes, while fostering a deep understanding of rights. This approach led to measurable successes: 96% of students could identify their rights, spontaneous reporting of violations rose 68%, and legal interventions supporting children’s rights increased by 79% before stabilizing at a healthier community-informed level. 

Pablo’s work extends beyond the classroom. He conducts home visits, organizes community workshops, provides legal guidance as a trained lawyer, and promotes environmental and sustainable practices. His projects integrate climate consciousness, eco-friendly school initiatives, and nutrition, instilling lifelong values in his students and their families. He also promotes global citizenship through international exchanges, including a Fulbright Teacher Exchange in Chicago, sharing his identity-focused model with teachers worldwide and inspiring culturally responsive education practices. 

His achievements have been widely recognized: he was a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholar in 2021, won a 100% scholarship for his master’s, was named the best-qualified teacher in his 2015 graduating class, and is a finalist for Uruguayan Teacher of the Year 2025 with the ReachingU Foundation in partnership with the Varkey Foundation. Additionally, he has contributed to teacher training, public seminars, and national debates on educational innovation, promoting a curriculum centered on student identities and rights. 

Pablo’s vision goes beyond traditional metrics of education. By celebrating students’ identities and addressing violations of their rights, he creates transformative learning environments that improve academic outcomes, strengthen community cohesion, and empower children as global citizens. His work exemplifies the potential of teachers to enact systemic change, making him a leading contender for the Global Teacher Prize 2026.