On Wednesday, after my tough day subbing for the first grade teacher at school, I went to the office to meet with Inas. The previous week I had been working on the "conflict resolution" project Inas told me she wanted me to develop.
I did some research and came across peer mediation programs. I thought it would be a good idea for the school, so I wrote a report about it, including a description of the program and the steps needed to implement it. I made a list of the resources necessary; I wrote about the materials I would need to buy, and the possibility of establishing a partnership with another organization in order to have them come in and offer the training. I even found a way to fund all of this! I won't bore you by going into detail, but I'll just say I did extensive research on the subject.
I came in on Wednesday knowing that if I had Inas' blessing, I could move forward with the project and get it going. I presented the project to her, but she wasn't thrilled. She told me the idea was good, but there were a few problems. She said she wanted me to develop the materials because she didn't want people from the outside coming in and giving the training- she said she wanted the project to be from Hand in Hand for Hand in Hand. The second and most important concern she raised was the issue of time. She said high school students (my first choice, in terms of who should receive the training, for various reasons) have too much on their plate given they have to prepare for their final test (kind of like the Israeli SAT). She said she doubted they could find any time for them to be trained...She suggested implementing the program at a younger age.
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed with how the meeting went, but I already had a meeting scheduled the next day with the educational counselor, Dorit, and the principal of the high school, Raeif. Earlier that week, I had talked to Dorit and told her about the project. She was very excited and looking forward to hearing what Inas had to say. When I came in on Wednesday, I met with her before meeting with Raeif, and told her about what Inas said. She told me before we took the high school students off the project, we should first meet with their teachers and explore if it is actually something they see value in. I agreed with her.
She contacted Raeif to see if we could still meet and asked if I could present my proposal to the high school teachers. In about five minutes, everyone was in the principal's office and I was asked to present. Just like that. I hadn't prepared a formal presentation, but I believe in my project, so I stood up in front of the teachers and explained my proposal. Everyone in the room loved my presentation, and after a few questions, they started talking about the number of hours they could give me, etc. Absolute success.
Inas wasn't in that meeting, so I still needed to handle the situation delicately; I didn't want her to feel as though our conversation didn't matter, but knowing that the high school wants the program should make a difference. I told her about the result of our meeting, and suggested that I develop new materials, as she asked, but that I do it from already existing materials. Therefore, this semester could be the pilot program that would help me build the materials for the future (I will be writing a mediation handbook at the end of the semester). I also asked her about the possibility of having a budget to purchase materials that may be useful to building the curriculum.
Here is what she responded:
I did some research and came across peer mediation programs. I thought it would be a good idea for the school, so I wrote a report about it, including a description of the program and the steps needed to implement it. I made a list of the resources necessary; I wrote about the materials I would need to buy, and the possibility of establishing a partnership with another organization in order to have them come in and offer the training. I even found a way to fund all of this! I won't bore you by going into detail, but I'll just say I did extensive research on the subject.
I came in on Wednesday knowing that if I had Inas' blessing, I could move forward with the project and get it going. I presented the project to her, but she wasn't thrilled. She told me the idea was good, but there were a few problems. She said she wanted me to develop the materials because she didn't want people from the outside coming in and giving the training- she said she wanted the project to be from Hand in Hand for Hand in Hand. The second and most important concern she raised was the issue of time. She said high school students (my first choice, in terms of who should receive the training, for various reasons) have too much on their plate given they have to prepare for their final test (kind of like the Israeli SAT). She said she doubted they could find any time for them to be trained...She suggested implementing the program at a younger age.
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed with how the meeting went, but I already had a meeting scheduled the next day with the educational counselor, Dorit, and the principal of the high school, Raeif. Earlier that week, I had talked to Dorit and told her about the project. She was very excited and looking forward to hearing what Inas had to say. When I came in on Wednesday, I met with her before meeting with Raeif, and told her about what Inas said. She told me before we took the high school students off the project, we should first meet with their teachers and explore if it is actually something they see value in. I agreed with her.
She contacted Raeif to see if we could still meet and asked if I could present my proposal to the high school teachers. In about five minutes, everyone was in the principal's office and I was asked to present. Just like that. I hadn't prepared a formal presentation, but I believe in my project, so I stood up in front of the teachers and explained my proposal. Everyone in the room loved my presentation, and after a few questions, they started talking about the number of hours they could give me, etc. Absolute success.
Inas wasn't in that meeting, so I still needed to handle the situation delicately; I didn't want her to feel as though our conversation didn't matter, but knowing that the high school wants the program should make a difference. I told her about the result of our meeting, and suggested that I develop new materials, as she asked, but that I do it from already existing materials. Therefore, this semester could be the pilot program that would help me build the materials for the future (I will be writing a mediation handbook at the end of the semester). I also asked her about the possibility of having a budget to purchase materials that may be useful to building the curriculum.
Here is what she responded:
Mariam
Sounds great. I am very impressed that you took the initiative and proposed the project. Which grades will be involved in this program? Which teachers? If you got their approval, then I certainly think you can start with the class and I agree with you. You can start with any materials you get hold of. I will bring you what I have and I am sure you can find more.
Regarding the costs of purchasing manuals or books, you may make a list of the materials you need and I can check the budget for such purposes. I don't think it will a problem.
You may start any time you are ready.
best
Inas
How awesome is that?! I'm super stoked (as my friend Dave would say)!! Now, I really gotta get to work, but I couldn't be happier :)
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