Riyadh, May 07, 2026 –The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) today announced Joanne Newman, a Foundation 1 teacher at the British International School Riyadh, as the regional winner of the 2026 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards for the Middle East. Joanne was selected by the judges for the outstanding empathy and dedication she showed in supporting a student through her very first experience of school, at a sensitive time when her family was managing her brother’s medical treatment.

Joanne is one of nine regional winners of the global Cambridge competition that celebrates the achievements of teachers around the world. As a regional winner, Joanne will win £500 worth of books for her class, a trophy, and receive publicity for herself and her school during the coming year. She will also appear on a ‘Thank you’ page at the front of a range of new Cambridge textbooks, available to the public from November 2026.

Joanne has taught early education classes for over 25 years. Her love for guiding learners at the outset of their educational journey began in her teenage years, helping her mother run a playgroup in the 1980s.

Joanne said: “I strongly believe that our youngest learners will go on to shape the future and being part of their educational journey is both a responsibility and a privilege. I strive to lay strong foundations for kindness, empathy, positive change and a lifelong love of learning. Supporting children as they grow in confidence, curiosity and independence is deeply rewarding, and I feel truly grateful to play a role in helping them discover their potential.”

Joanne’s nomination came from the mother of one of her young students, for her ‘outstanding empathy and dedication’ towards her daughter. The family was going through an incredibly difficult period, with the student’s brother undergoing medical treatment ‘which required frequent and sometimes extended hospital stays’. The family credit her role as a source of emotional stability, reassurance, and genuine care in getting their daughter through that period.

Global winner voting

The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards highlights the important role that teachers play in shaping the lives of their learners and preparing them for the world beyond school. It gives students, parents and peers the chance to nominate a current primary or secondary teacher for outstanding commitment to their students’ education. By going to dedicatedteacher.cambridge.org/vote, the public can now vote for Joanne, or another of the nine regional winners to become the overall, global winner of the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards 2026. The deadline to vote is 11:00 (AST) on 13 May 2026 and the winner will be announced on 2 June 2026.

The 2026 competition received over 12,000 nominations for teachers in 126 different countries around the world. Nominations not only thanked teachers for the hard work they put into teaching, but also for all the extra things they do to ensure their students are happy and healthy.

Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge said: “Early years and primary education play a vital role in shaping a child’s wellbeing and long-term relationship with learning. Joanne’s compassion and professionalism at a formative moment exemplify the very best of Cambridge education, where care, trust and high-quality learning go hand in hand from the very beginning. Joanne’s impact will stay with that student far beyond the classroom and that is the true mark of an outstanding teacher.

I congratulate all of our winners on their accomplishments, which inspire us at Cambridge, and I am sure will stand as inspiration for teachers worldwide.”

To find out more about the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards and vote for your favourite teacher in the competition, please visit dedicatedteacher.cambridge.org/vote

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