AEI Groups

	AEI-Open Windows Teachers' Group 2nd Meeting November 29th, 2008 The teachers' core group met on Saturday, November 29th, 2008 at the AEI Youth House for the second time. Mr. Elias Emiah and Shakh Maher Assaf apologized for not being able to attend the meeting. Mr. Fuad welcomed those who attended the meeting and reviewed last meeting's minutes, as they wanted to make continuation and follow-up to the previous meeting. Some of the members suggested other young teachers for recruitment, such as, Miss Nivine Jaraisa and Miss Rawan Shomali, who are teachers at Dar Al Kalima School in Bethlehem, and Miss Sali Qaysiah, who is a teacher at the Latin Patriarchate School in Beit jala. On the other hand, they reflected on the aims and the objectives of the teachers group. Mr. Fuad proposed some ideas, like contributing to the curriculum development, and introducing new methods of teaching (active learning methodologies for young learners, acquiring joy in education). Moreover, he suggested for the teachers to join refreshing courses for their own professional development to raise teachers awareness and expertise in teaching about society issues, non-violent education, good citizenship and commitment in the service of God, country, themselves, their families, and to their religious identities. Mr. Fuad shed some light on the benefits and rewards these teachers might receive whether by giving courses or trainings according to their specialty or by giving talks and presentations and holding workshops at AEI on different occasions. The core group was also interested in being more involved in the AEI activities. For instance, they were invited to attend the parents' group meeting, which was held on December 4th, 2008. In addition to this, they talked about their role on December 22nd, 2008 during the AEI Christmas festive dinner. They proposed to invite Mr. Abdallah Shakranah as a speaker about the role and mission of the teachers under the present circumstances in Palestine. They also suggested having Mrs. Scarlett Bishara as a speaker on the Human Rights, as she is a lawyer. They also thought of giving gifts to the teachers who have been involved in the AEI different activities as a symbolic reward for their efforts. Finally, the teachers group members agreed to have their coming meeting on December 11th, 2008 at 10:00 am, except for Shaikh Maher Assaf, who usually works till late afternoons, nevertheless, he wholeheartedly supports the group in all its mission and future activities.