[etni] teacher of the day - Maha Gabo'a

Hi All,

  The holiday has me back-logged, but nonetheless, I'd like to share my
belated pre-Pesach "Teacher of the Day" thoughts with you.

  Introducing - Maha Gabo'a, English teacher at Kseife Atid
Comprehensive School

  Maha is an outstanding English teacher and educator who never ceases to
amaze me with her energy, creativity and motivation. She's spunky, on the
ball and always ready to try out new ideas.

   Many of us show films in class. Maha gives them a true movie house
flavor, including popcorn. I'm certain many of her pupils have never seen
the inside of a major movie house.

   Through Book for Israel, Maha has established a rich EFL library in the
school which allows the pupils to fulfill the Bagrut extensive reading
requirements. Without a local library in town, this was almost impossible
beforehand. Read more and see Maha in action on the Books for Israel
website.* *
http://booksforisrael.wikispaces.com/Kseifa+Abu+Rabe%27a+Comprehensive+High+School
(You
can also get a glimpse here of a folk song sing-along we had in her 9th
grade class last year.)

  Maha has also initiated a glossy school English newspaper. The pupils
write school news and feature articles, stories, etc. It's very impressive
and reflects both her and the pupils' enthusiasm!

  In addition, Maha has been a key figure in helping organize special events
at the school such as a volunteer concert-workshop Tommy Sands with Moya and
Fionan Sands  which took place there last fall. It was a special day for
everyone there.

   As  EFL counselor for the school, I began a series of
"Teacher-for-Teacher" sessions. Each month, in turn, a faculty department
member gives a lesson in his/her class and the rest of us observe. This is
followed by a discussion allowing all teachers to give constructive
criticism and suggestions and of course, praise! Maha gave the last lesson
on "Henna", based on a text from, "Insights". It began with a brainstorm,
"What I want to know about henna." The teachers took part in this activity,
too. Maha went on to direct the pupils to the topic sentences in each
paragraph and then to look for connectors that help organize the text. From
there, they read the passage and answered questions. A follow-up discussion
and homework were on the bill as well. There was great class participation.
I think I can speak for all present - wow! I sure learned a lot about the
uses of henna, too!

  Maha continues to study and blossom. She is an outstanding person and in
many respects, the future of her pupils, expanding their horizons far beyond
village life. I wish her the best always. She'll go far!

Kseife  Atid ComprehensiveSchool is located on the outskirts of Kseife and
serves mainly the pupils from the outlying areas around the town. Most of
the pupils travel to school by bus and fewer walk. On bad weather days,
attendance is low due to traveling hardships such as flooded riverbeds.

There is very dedicated EFL Dept. with Dr. Ibrahim El Amour at the helm.
Together they work hard and  also continue to study, both individually and
as team.

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