06/05/2024
WE clinched the Top 1 spot in the Group Finals through OUR COLECTIVE EFFORTS, and now, WE are ready to conquer the Quarter-Finals with the same determination! Calling on all our friends, families, students, and supporters from the Philippines, USA, Singapore, and all our kababayans worldwide to join forces with us. Let's come together, celebrate our unity, and highlight the incredible power of the BAYANIHAN spirit! Every vote daily counts as the competition for the top spot is intense and only the top 1 moves on to the Semifinals. Please keep voting every 24 hours until the deadline on May 17th at 10 am PH/SG time. Maraming salamat!
1. Click on the link:
https://americasfavteacher.org/2024/isagani-celzo
2. Click VOTE
3. Click 1 Vote FREE
4. Click Verify with FB
5. Share this post to your friends
If awarded the $25,000 prize, I will use the full amount to sustain my transformative projects.
1. Expanding the "Lapis ng Pangarap" (Pencil of Dreams) campaign to provide school supplies and share my journey to inspire students to pursue their dreams.
2. Investing in strengthening the teaching profession through shared resources and professional development opportunities.
3. Extending the "Gawad Kalinga" (Give Care) project empowering students to engage in global communities and foster a sense of active citizenship.
WHO IS GANI CELZO?
Hailing from Anda, Pangasinan, Gani's remarkable journey from overcoming extreme poverty to achieving global recognition is truly awe-inspiring. Graduating magna cm laude from the Philippine Normal University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Teachers in 2000, Gani also held the esteemed position of president of the PNU Math Club. Inspired by his exceptional professors and mentors at PNU, he embarked on his teaching career at the young age of 20, driven by his love and passion for education.
Dr. Isagani Celzo is an accomplished international teacher with 24 years of experience in serving low-performing to high-performing schools in the Philippines, United States, and Singapore. He has taught all mathematics courses from 6th-grade math to high school AP Calculus. Gani commenced his teaching journey at Saint Jude Catholic School in Manila, Philippines, in 2000. In 2004, he joined the US-Philippines Exchange Teacher Program at the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. Continuing his career, he moved to the Los Angeles Unified School District in California, USA, in 2007. Gani played a pivotal role as a founding member of the School of Social Justice in Los Angeles, California, where he contributed to educational transformation through leadership positions as a data coordinator and instructional coach. Since 2016, Gani has been dedicated to teaching at the Singapore American School.
Gani’s passion for teaching and dedication to his craft is reflected in his numerous achievements and awards. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and has received various accolades, including, United Way’s Inspirational Teacher 2015 (Los Angeles, California), LAUSD Teacher of The Year 2014 (Los Angeles, California), and United Teachers Los Angeles’ Platinum Apple Award 2014, (California, USA). He was also named PEOPLE’s All-Star Teacher 2014 (Minneapolis, Minnesota), and was a finalist for the Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice 2015, (New York, USA). In addition, Isagani also received The University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator 2015, Certificate of Recognition in the Field of Education from Philippine Normal University (the Philippines, 2018), and US State Department MathCounts Coach of the Year (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023).
Despite his accomplishments, Gani remains committed to improving his teaching practice through continuous professional development and studies. He holds an MA in Special Education and completed his Ph.D. in Educational Management in the Philippines. He also earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education and is currently completing his second Ph.D. in Public Administration, majoring in Public Governance.
Gani believes that teachers must be stewards of the teaching profession and that it is their moral obligation to help elevate the quality of teaching and learning. He is also an advocate for education and disadvantaged kids and has initiated various projects to support this cause. For example, his projects "Gawad Kalinga for Schools" and "Lapis ng Pangarap" (Pencil of Dreams) have provided hope to more than 10,000 students and 26 schools in the most remote Anda island town in the Philippines by providing basic school supplies and essential equipment like microscopes, books, instructional TVs, calculators, and additional classrooms. Gani’s unwavering commitment to his students, profession, and community is a testament to his outstanding character and unwavering dedication.