Special education teacher declared winner at the summit
SAMUEL Isaiah, co-founder of the Malaysia Teacher Prize (MTP), in 2022, is an educator, recognised for his innovative approaches in teaching, being selected as one of the top ten finalists in the 2020 Global Teacher Prize, and the first Malaysian to be chosen.
The 2025 MTP prize, open to all Malaysian teachers, who teach students in “compulsory” schooling, which includes public schools, private schools and schools run by non-profit organisations (NGOs) that follow the Malaysian syllabus. Their students should be between the ages of five and 18.
Today as executive director of “PEMIMPIN”, which means leader, Isaiah works towards strengthening school leadership in Malaysia, through various initiatives and the Malaysia Teacher Summit 2025 is one such initiative.
The two-day summit according to Isaiah, with the theme, “A step together in shaping the future”, celebrates the transformative power of collective action, recognising that meaningful change emerges when educators work together, learn from one another, and lead as a community united by something larger than individual achievement.
“We built this summit around the spirit of collaboration.
“From our keynote sessions to our workshops, we have worked to bring together people who care deeply about teaching, about children, and about the future we are shaping together.
“Every conversation and story is an invitation to reflect on what is possible when educators lead with heart and courage. As you walk through these halls, with the banners of the finalists flying high, I hope you feel inspired.
“These teachers remind us that transformation does not begin in policies or systems. It begins in classrooms, in relationships and in the everyday courage of doing what is right for children,” said Isaiah.
The winner for the MTP2025, announced at the summit, Siti Ainulmursyida Shamsudin is a special education teacher, from SMK Orkid Desa, KL, She brought digital tools such as ‘Speakmon’ and ‘Time Travelling Verbs’ to engage with her special needs students, while developing a digital platform PEKAOKU, which benefited over 300 students nationwide.
Her students represented Malaysia at the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities and won gold medals.
One of the top ten finalists for the MTP 2025, Zizi’Aniza Mohd teaching the subject of Bahasa Melayu, at SMK Pelong Setiu, Terengganu, took the initiative to establish two cyber cafes in the school dormitory using donated and second-hand equipment.
This effort paved the way for her students to participate in the International Robotic Competition 2025.
Viknesvari Letchumanan, from SMK Khas Vokasional Indahpura, Johor, conducted vocational training for her special needs students to become independent and build sustainable futures.
Through practical training and guidance her students are now running small businesses selling pizzas, burgers and cakes, while sucessfully picking up seven awards at the World Chefs Championship Championship 2025.
Yew Ko Woo, from SMK Methodist Sibu, Sarawak made visual arts education popular by creating MYSV Kit, a game-based education learning kit that sparked interest and engagement for art in his students.
Beyond the classroom, he led community mural projects and established “Bengkel Harapan”(hope workshop) for students with limited resources, including a remarkable STPMCGPA of 3.97.
