Games, readings and lessons for the children of the refugee camps. To teach them to the little ones was what was unanimously defined as the best teacher in the world, the Palestinian teacher Hanan Al Hroub whose motto is 'No to violence'
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Games, readings and lessons for the children of the refugee camps. To teach them to the little ones was what was unanimously defined as the best teacher in the world, the Palestinian teacher Hanan Al Hroub whose motto is 'No to violence'.
The awards ceremony of the Global Teacher Prize, the so-called Nobel Prize for teaching, established by the non-profit Varkey Foundation to reward the best teachers, capable of inspiring their students and opening their horizons. To win the prestigious award, in addition to a check for a million dollars, she was the Palestinian teacher Hanan Al Hroub.
The ceremony was attended by personalities from the world of politics and entertainment, from Tony Blair a Salma Hayek, and there were also numerous interventions via video, such as that of the former President of the United States Bill Clinton and Prince William of England. But the most exciting moment of the evening was when, with a video message, Papa Francesco announced the name of the winner, the XNUMX-year-old teacher Hanan Al Hroub.
Hanan Al Hroub she grew up in a refugee camp in Bethlehem, Palestine. One day, while his children were on their way home from school, they witnessed a street shooting, in the course of which their father was injured: the scene deeply traumatized them, so much so that it clearly and lastingly affected their children. attitudes and their academic performance.
The episode led Hanan Al Hroub to understand that children living in a context permeated by violence, which is precisely Palestine, need to be followed in a different, particular and exceptional way.
At first, he began to elaborate gods RPGs in which to involve his children and their friends, in order to help them overcome the trauma; then, in the face of the notable improvements obtained with his children, he decided to convert his qualification into a diploma to teach in elementary school, dedicating himself body and soul to school and adopting, in class, the same methods he had adopted in his family .
His motto is "No to violence" and is conveyed above all through games, readings and example: Hanan Al Hroub tries to establish a relationship of trust with his students, based on respect, honesty and affection and encourages them to work together, to collaborate and to trust each other.
His approach obviously does not neglect literacy and the invitation to read, with a corner of the class entirely dedicated to books, where children can find stories that speak to them of peace, solidarity, respect, cooperation. And positive behaviors are rewarded with small benefits. The message that the teacher intends to convey to her students is that knowledge and education are the only weapons a human being can (and must) have at his disposal.
Her method has led to a decrease in violent behavior within the school walls, so much so as to attract the attention of colleagues: Hanan Al Hroub was invited to hold seminars in which she illustrates the strategies she uses with her students and also wrote a book, We play and learn, recounting his experience. Numerous teachers, even outside his school, have begun to follow his example, resuming his teaching style.
To win the Global Teacher Prize, which was presented to her by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, Hanan Al Hroub beat fierce competition from around eight thousand teachers from all over the world.
The victory earned her a check for a million dollars and the title of Ambassador for the Varkey Foundation, which will lead her to take part in conferences and seminars around the world, telling her story and explaining her method.
However, Varkey's condition for the money to actually be donated is that the winning teacher continues to work in the classroom for at least five years after the award is presented, so that her work with the children is not compromised.
Lisa Vagnozzi
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