Tell us a bit about your background:
My name is Osama Mohammed Abdel- Qader Abu Batnain; I am Palestinian. I finished high school in the city of Khan Younis and then completed my university studies at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. I came to Kuwait on January 25, 1973 and worked at the Ministry of Education schools as a teacher and head of the Arabic Department until 1990; I have been working at Al Bayan school since 1994. One of my favorite hobbies since childhood has been collecting stamps and coins; I own a large group of them.
I love the teaching profession because it is one of the most prestigious professions especially since it deals with the youth. I believe children need care for the development of their minds in order to become future citizens that will serve their countries. I am now applying new strategies based on the Tribes Learning Communities’ process because it is based on the development of the child.
Tell us one moment from your teaching experience that was particularly powerful, interesting, or funny:
I remember an influential moment in my career that happened with one of my students. That student earned a total of 22 out of 50 in the Arabic language class meaning that he failed the class. This student came to me and asked me to help him in raising his participation grade so his final score could become 25. He promised that he would make extra efforts in the classroom. He also told me that if I don’t raise his grade, his father would punish him severely. I raised the student's grade based on his participation in order to encourage him to work harder. I also told him that he needs to earn 30 out of 50 in the coming learning period, otherwise, I will reverse his grade. This plan worked! My encouragement highly impacted him and pushed him to progress and achieve even more. He continued to become an excellent student in his studies, even at the university level. He further related that in his career he remembered this because he simply started believing in his abilities and that he can achieve more!
What teaching and learning goal is you most excited to achieve by the end of this school year?
My goal this year is to continue to follow the Tribes Learning Communities’ process due to its’ positive impact on the student’s achievement.
Do you have any inspirational words and/or specific sites, organizations, strategies, or links that you’d like to share with other teachers?
I believe that the teacher plays a great role in the society because he/she always works to shape the nation’s future.
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