A Story from the Field – Trainee Mahmoud Abd Alhadi & Trainee Jawaher Sawafteh
Teach for Palestine Program | Non-Governmental Track – Second Cohort
The collaboration between colleagues Mahmoud Abd Alhadi and Jawaher Sawafteh represents a vivid model of the integrative approach promoted by the Teach for Palestine Program, where experience met passion, and psychological support complemented classroom teaching to deliver a deeper and more impactful educational experience.
At the beginning of their journey, each faced different challenges. Mahmoud was exploring the world of education and working with children, striving to understand their psychological and educational needs and to build relationships based on trust and care. Meanwhile, Jawaher was working to turn a long-held dream of being a “builder of generations” into a tangible professional reality. As their paths converged, an educational partnership emerged—grounded in mutual respect and a genuine desire to make a difference.
During their joint work at Elaf Educational School, their roles complemented one another clearly. Jawaher contributed her pedagogical expertise and skills in classroom management and educational leadership, while Mahmoud provided psychological and social support to students and adopted interactive approaches that enhanced student engagement and fostered a sense of safety and belonging. This integration had a positive impact on the classroom environment, making the learning process more dynamic and student-centered.
Over time, challenges turned into opportunities for growth and learning—not only for them as educators, but also for the students, who demonstrated greater engagement, increased self-confidence, and a growing passion for learning. The impact of this collaboration extended to the school as a whole by reinforcing values of cooperation, social responsibility, and belonging, and by creating a more supportive and interactive learning environment.
The experience of Mahmoud and Jawaher embodies the philosophy of Teach for Palestine Program: that meaningful education is not built through individual effort alone, but through collective work, attentive listening to students’ needs, and a firm belief in education’s power to create sustainable change. It is a powerful testament to how sincere professional partnerships can transform education into a human-centered mission that touches minds and leaves a lasting impact on hearts.