I Will Miss the Laughter
"I will miss the laughter of shared stories about lives that I never thought I would be able to relate to, only to find that we have so much in common."
Bread and Yogurt, Sugar and Tea
"I will miss bread and yogurt breakfasts in the teachers' room where conversation swirls around me in a mix of Kurdish, Arabic, Assyrian, and English like the sugar in my tea glass."
Better Readers, Writers, Thinkers…
"I will miss planning a lesson that I know will be exciting and then getting to see my students have ten times more enjoyment out of it than I anticipated. I will miss pushing them to be better readers, writers, thinkers, speakers, and citizens of their country."
I Will Miss Corner Chats
"I will miss the quiet corner chats with kids who are struggling with questions that are almost too big for them to ask."
I Will Miss…
When it comes time for one of our team members to return to the U.S. it can be hard knowing all they leave behind. Over the summer we'll be sharing some of the things our team members miss. "I will miss the morning greetings of my students, and their crazy antics in the halls."
Iraq is Dangerous. Go Anyway.
"Are you crazy?" This is the first question I'm always asked when people find out that I'm a teacher in Iraq. Help Change Iraq, One Child at a Time (click here to read more!) We just finished our third quarter...I still haven't learned how to write on the board properly. But I am loving [...]
A Day in the Life
The chickens wake you up first. Or the call to prayer. Or your roommate's alarm clock from the other room. But usually it's the chickens. Out of bed. Into the shower. Dry the hair. Grab the briefcase (vinyl and canvas because it gets dirty here). Throw some Nescafe in the thermos. Walk outside, yelling "Chonit!" [...]
“Shepherd” Refugee School is Open!
The school we have been helping get started at the Yazidi refugee camp has officially opened! It is the first school to open in the camp, and for some of the kids, it is their first time in school at all. Our team has been encouraged to hear the stories of these students' eagerness to learn. There are currently over [...]
“Shepherd” Refugee School opening soon!
The school in the refugee camp now has a principal, two vice-principals, the registration process is underway, and a start date has been set! Just a few more details like a septic tank, backpacks for students, and desk repair remain. Our school's name is “Shivani Media” meaning, “The Shepherd of the Medes.” Shivani is the one who guides [...]