It’s been a month full of joys as the new school year started.  We were blessed with twelve new American teachers, three of which are of Palestinian origin. Their orientation program included dinner at the house of our preschool head, Duha, as well as a picnic and a visit to the Ramallah Meeting House. They will be teaching English, Theory of Knowledge, History and college counseling.

I was energized by seeing everyone doing their work with renewed enthusiasm and creativity. Skype calls between me and the staff are delightful. I go online immediately after I take the kids to school and get the chance to communicate with the staff before their day ends.

When I first started this work, I often said that I would “lead by example”. This month, and especially during my physical absence from the school, I have come to realize that many of the work norms and principles I have demonstrated are alive and well at the school.  It felt good to witness a slight imprint of influence.