Update: Soskil made it to the Top 10.
NEWFOUNDLAND -- A teacher from Wayne County is in the running for some worldwide recognition and a $1 million prize.
Mike Soskil is so much more than just a science teacher at Wallenpaupack South Elementary in Newfoundland. He has helped other teachers in the school find ways to incorporate people and things from all over the world into their classrooms.
Now he's one of 50 teachers from across the globe up for a teacher prize; something of a Nobel Prize for teaching.
"I want to show students I have--kids that are me 30 years ago--it doesn't matter where you come from, everybody can have an impact and change the world for the better. And if I can do it coming from here so can they," said Soskil.
One of the reasons Mr. Soskil's up for the prestigious award is he's not just concerned about educating students from within the confines of the school building. This week, he's having a scientist who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope Skype with the students learning about the world and even the universe around them.
"We're trying to bring those experts to share their passions with our kids so that our kids can then identify the problems they want to go out and solve in the world," he added.
Soskil has incorporated people from 70 countries in the last few years into his lessons and that's one reason fellow teachers nominated him for the award.
"He's trying very hard to do this. He's opening these doors. He's making it available for us to connect with people through Skype, Google chats, and all types of projects we do," said teacher Lizabeth Conklin.
Soskil is one of eight teachers from the U.S. in the running and will find out next month if he's in the top 10 and headed to Dubai for the finals. For him, it's a victory just empowering students to learn they can change the world.
"When they realize the joy that comes with doing good for others, they want to do more of it. That's what builds the world changers and leaders of tomorrow," he said. "I'm trying to give them the opportunity to have those experiences here."
Update: Soskil made it to the Top 10.
