TEACHERS do more than stand before a class and impart knowledge.
They wear many hats, from mentor to innovator, as the five teachers now in the running for the RISE Educator Award 2026 have shown in their respective schools.
Presented by Taylor’s College, the award recognises teachers who have gone beyond the classroom to create opportunities and make a lasting difference in their students’ lives.
Public voting, which contributes 25% to the final decision, is open until Sept 6. Judges’ evaluations, which account for the remaining 75%, will take place simultaneously.
The award recipient will receive a grand prize of RM5,000 in cash, while their nominator will receive RM500. The winner’s school will receive RM50,000 in sponsorship to support further development initiatives.
The other four finalists will each receive RM1,000 in cash and RM10,000 in school sponsorship, while their nominators will receive RM250.
Read on to learn more about their contributions. The public can cast their votes at https://college.taylors.edu.my/en/rise-educator-award.html.
Digital innovation
Driven by the belief that every child deserves equal opportunities, Dr Zul Faizuddin Osman, from SK Sungai Rual, Jeli, Kelantan, founded the School of NFT (non-fungible token) initiative in 2021. The initiative integrates digital art, artificial intelligence (AI) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into classroom learning to equip students with future-ready skills.
His efforts increased student attendance at the remote Orang Asli school from 70.7% to 82.8%, with 81% of students actively using the Education Ministry’s Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia platform.
The initiative also saw five students earn RM12,500 in Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation incentives for their digital art.
Beyond the classroom, Zul Faizuddin has mentored students to excel in robotics and innovation competitions and become the first Orang Asli students from the school to gain admission into SMS Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra since 1976.
Making science come alive
By creating more than 40 educational parody songs, Science teacher Mohamad Safuan Rozak, from SK Desa Jaya, Pahang, has made complex concepts easier to understand and turned lessons into experiences that extend beyond the classroom, reaching millions online.
He has also inspired educators nationwide through knowledge-sharing sessions and his roles as an Education Ministry Edufluencer and DidikTV presenter.
His impact is reflected in his students’ achievements, including a 100% Academic Session Final Test (UASA) pass rate since 2022.
Against all odds
As the Orang Asli Temiar community of Pos Pulat faced relocation due to the Nenggiri Dam project, Muhammad Hafizu Aiman Jusoh, from SK Pulat, Kelantan, made it his focus to preserve his students’ access to education.
Through Rumah Belajar Tanpa Loceng, a self-directed learning model based on heutagogy, he created a learning ecosystem combining STEM, AI, digital skills and Temiar heritage.
His initiatives empower students to learn beyond traditional classroom boundaries.
Under his guidance, students have represented their school in the Gua Musang District Schools Sports Council chess and STEM competitions, while achieving top honours in state-level religious competitions.
The school’s AI activities were also showcased at Kerian EduTech 2026, while the LiTS Module was shared in Thailand.
Nurturing young innovators
Teh Zhen Kiat, from SJK(C) Sungai Buloh, Selangor, who has spent 12 years transforming classrooms, believes education is not only about academic achievement, but also about empowering students to discover their potential.
Through an integrated approach combining AI, STEM, Design and Technology (RBT) and entrepreneurship, he empowers students to design, build, code and solve real-world challenges. He also established the school’s AI Drone Team and AI Digital Junior Leaders.
Beyond his classroom, he extends his impact as a Master Trainer for UASA Mathematics, RBT and Future Skills for All, equipping educators nationwide with innovative teaching practices.
Building STEM culture
As the STEM coordinator and head of department at SMK St Bernadette’s Convent, Perak, Veronica Francis redesigned biology, science and mathematics lessons through inquiry-based and project-based learning, hands-on investigations, digital technology and authentic applications.
Her efforts contributed to a 100% pass rate in all science subjects, while four of six subjects recorded their best examination performance in five years.
Beyond the classroom, Veronica has built an inclusive STEM innovation culture that empowers students from different academic backgrounds.
This year, nearly 50% of the school’s 864 students participated in international competitions, producing 90 innovation projects and winning 52 gold, 24 silver and 13 bronze medals, alongside a third consecutive Most Participant Award from the Malaysia Young Scientists Organisation. Her students also won gold at the World Youth STEM Invention Innovation 2026 in Thailand.
She further champions inclusive STEM through an arts-stream project that transformed discarded watermelon peel into eco-friendly soap, earning a Top Five Special Award at the Terengganu International Science Fair 2026.
