Somaia Thaher and Dalal AlDahshan Support
the Young Movers and Shakers

Somaia Thaher and Dalal
AlDahshan Support the Young
Movers and Shakers

Somaia Thaher and Dalal AlDahshan
Support the Young Movers and Shakers

1 June 2024

The Pioneers and Leaders Private School for Girls, where Dalal AlDahshan and Somaia Thaher work as teachers, gathers talented students from all over the Gaza Strip. Despite their outstanding academic performance, the teachers have observed that many of the students struggle with self-confidence and displaying strong character traits.

Somaia and Dalal have always believed that quality education extends beyond teaching the standard curriculum. They see quality education as providing a well-rounded learning experience that nurtures students’ talents, interests, and well-being, in addition to their academic growth. Following their participation in Round I of the Acting As An Innovator Program, both teachers have decided to apply the knowledge gained from the program to develop a creative solution. This solution aims to help students discover their talents, support their development, boost their self-confidence, and enhance their leadership skills to build strong personalities.

The teachers shared their idea with the school administration, who acknowledged the importance of addressing it. Subsequently, the teachers collaborated with other teachers, parents, and external education experts to investigate possible solutions. Following their research, Somaia and Dalal developed a pilot project involving 30 students from grades 1 to 11, forming a group called “Passionate Pathfinders”. The project consisted of three key elements: identifying students’ talents and interests, providing support through specialized activities and additional classes, and showcasing their accomplishments and talents in a school-wide exhibition.

The project received praise from students and successfully met its objectives of boosting students’ self-confidence and self-esteem, enhancing their leadership abilities, and empowering them to take on leadership roles within the school and local community. The school plans to continue the project, involving all students as part of the school’s annual educational program.

The AAAI program aims to train 400 teachers from public, private, and UNRWA schools in the West Bank and Gaza over 3 years. The first round involved 24 teachers from different parts of Palestine. Forming 12 teams and supported by 8 mentors, the participants developed various creative projects under two main themes: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Integration and Application of STE(A)M Approach in Education.

For more information about Somaia and Dala and their students’ project, please click here.

For more information about the AAAI program, please click here.