Her teaching philosophy underscores hope and acts of kindness in an isolated part of Quebec.

(Photo Credit: Toronto Star)

Maggie MacDonnell has been awarded the annual Global Teacher Prize during a ceremony in Dubai.

Born in Nova Scotia, MacDonnell has been teaching northern Quebec since 2010 where drug and alcohol abuse among young people is high and sometimes deadly.

“The memory that continues to haunt me is when I see these Canadian teenagers, their very own classmates of the deceased, literally digging the grave and putting the body of their loved one into the tundra,” MacDonnell explained during her acceptance speech.

The most-coveted and high-profile award for teaching excellence also comes with a $1-million U.S. prize.

MacDonnell says she plans to use the money to establish an environmental stewardship program in the community.