A Sydney teacher has made it to the top 10 finalists for the prestigious Global Teacher Prize.

Rebecca West has been recognised for her extraordinary work teaching at Bonnyrigg Public School, in Sydney’s southwest.

She’s in the running for the Varkey Foundation UNESCO-sponsored award, with a prize of $US1 million ($1.3m) for going above and beyond in her teaching career.

Deputy Principal Ms West told Ben Fordham making the top 10 has been a surprise.

“I didn’t actually think I would get this far!”

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview