Palestinian teacher receives education award
March 14, 2016Hanan al-Hroub, a primary school teacher from the West Bank city of al-Bireh, received the second annual Global Teacher Prize on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where she was cheered on by her fellow Palestinians.
Al-Hroub was chosen for her innovative approach to teaching, which emphasizes learning through play.
The $1 million (897 million euro) award is given out by the London-based Varkey Foundation, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the teaching profession by honoring those educators who positively influence the field.
Proud to be Palestinian
Several notable international leaders - including Pope Francis, Prince William of Britain and US Vice President Joe Biden - recorded messages for the awards ceremony.
"I am proud to be a Palestinian female teacher standing on this stage," Al-Hroub said as she collected the award.
The teacher said she would use the prize money to establish a scholarship to help promote her teaching methods, as well as support other Palestinian teachers.
blc/jm (AP, Reuters)