| Palestinian Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher Training |
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Palestinian Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher Training “As a teacher, I have seen Waldorf educational methods protect and deeply nurture, not only the children, but the families and communities that embrace it. By bringing Waldorf educational methods to the Middle East, the Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation is giving Arab and Jewish children the chance to recognize and mutually admire their humanity and potential for peaceful living. In a time of uncertainty and instability, it is this nurturing and vision that will allow children to imagine and build peace in the future.” Anjum Mir, Teacher, Westside Waldorf School, Santa Monica, California
The earlier phase of our training program involved the diplomatic work of bringing Palestinian kindergarten teachers from the West Bank area of Jenin into Israel to introduce them to elements of Waldorf education. We have successfully completed the first phase of our training and have started our second phase. In phase II of Salaam Shalom’s Training program, Waldorf teachers from Israel travel weekly into the West Bank to mentor Palestinian kindergarten teachers at the Jenin Charitable Society. The Palestinian teachers learn how to create a warm and nurturing classroom and how, through stories and other activities, they can teach respect for all human beings. There are six kindergarten classes at the Jenin Charitable Society, with about 25 children in each, who are benefiting from this training. One mentor teacher coming from Israel to Jenin to head this training started the first Waldorf kindergarten in Israel in 1989. Her work has born much fruit as today in Israel there are over a hundred such kindergartens. The other mentor teacher works in the kindergarten at the first Arab Waldorf School in Israel, El Zeitoun. This teacher is the daughter of a respected Bedouin leader of over 40,000 Bedouins in the Galilee who is well known for working as a peacemaker in the region. El Zeitoun, the first Arab Waldorf School in Israel provides a model for Palestinians in the West Bank on how Waldorf education can be integrated into an Arab culture based on Muslim values. The training involves child development studies, nonviolent parent education, arts and craft skills, music and storytelling, health, illness and proper nutrition. Because of the numerous Waldorf schools in the Jewish communities in Israel and the education’s emphasis on universal human values, Israeli and Palestinian educational communities involved in the Waldorf approach can find a common ground for joint cooperation as they strive together to educate their students "As a medical doctor and director of a school for Palestinian children, I am convinced that our students can receive great benefits from the teacher training provided by Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation. We need to foster a new generation of visionary leaders who can contribute to creating a culture of peace in the Middle East. Salaam Shalom Educational Foundation plays an important role in this process. They do this while promoting a healing and compassionate education in a region traumatized by conflict. This organization deserves to be supported by all those who care for the welfare of children and those who long to see peace come to the Middle East." Dr. Khalil Toukan, Jenin Charitable Society |