Soma Mandal, a science teacher working at the GD Goenka Public School Model Town Delhi, was on May 6 announced as the regional winner of the 2026 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards in the South Asia region by The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge). Soma was selected by the judges for her dedication to empowering pupils to participate in the ‘worldwide fight against climate change’. The competition received 12000 nominations from across the world. Ten teachers were shortlisted from eight regions. The voting for overall winner is ongoing online.
Soma is one of nine regional winners of the global Cambridge competition that celebrates the achievements of teachers around the world. As a regional winner, Soma 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.
With over 10 years’ teaching experience, Soma is dedicated to positioning climate education at the heart of student learning. A master’s graduate in environmental science, she developed a climate-focused curriculum at her school and she inspires students to emerge as confident agents of climate action and sustainable change.
Soma Mandel goes far beyond routine classroom teaching and transforms learning into a meaningful, real-world experience. She has relentlessly worked to ignite scientific curiosity and environmental responsibility among students by designing and leading hands-on, project-based learning initiatives.
Her citation says: “A powerful example of this dedication was her leadership and mentorship during the National Science Exhibition 2025–26. Her strong focus on environmental sustainability, green energy, biodiversity conservation, and climate awareness helped students connect textbook concepts with pressing global challenges. The result was not only national-level recognition, but also a profound shift in how students viewed science—as a tool for societal change. This dedication made students feel valued, confident, and inspired. Learners who were once hesitant began asking questions, proposing solutions, and taking ownership of their projects. Her encouragement created a safe space where curiosity thrived, and mistakes were treated as learning opportunities.
Her impact extends well beyond competitions. Through monthly science activities, environmental awareness campaigns, biodiversity-focused projects, and discussions on climate change and water conservation, she has nurtured environmentally conscious citizens. Their consistent engagement in science exhibitions, sustainability initiatives, and professional development reflects a lifelong commitment to learning and leadership.”
In her reaction Soma said, “This recognition belongs to my students, whose commitment to climate action inspires me every time I step into the classroom. This award strengthens my resolve to embed climate education throughout learning, making sustainability tangible and connected to real challenges. I believe that when we equip young minds to respond to the climate crisis, they discover they have agency and voice. My students have shown me they are ready to act… Our role is simply to create the space and support for them to do so.”
Rod Smith, Group Managing Director of International Education at Cambridge said, “We believe education is key to tackling the climate crisis, and so it is inspiring to see Soma exemplify that belief so strongly through her teaching. By creating safe, inspiring spaces where learners explore climate challenges and develop practical solutions, she is empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be ready for the world. That impact is exactly what this award celebrates. 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.”
