With the purpose of enhancing the professional skills of early childhood educators in Palestine, the General Union of Workers in Kindergarten and Private Schools (GUWKPS) organized a series of four union-sponsored, half-day workshops focused on “trauma-informed education.” This training for Palestinian kindergarten teachers, focused on providing them with tools to address the psychological and emotional needs of children in a conflict-ridden environment.
Overcoming logistical challenges with online sessions
Given the transportation and logistical difficulties of moving around the West Bank, the workshops were conducted entirely online. This virtual setting did not hinder the effectiveness of the training sessions and provided a vital forum for shared experiences and set a template for future sessions.
The role of international partners
Twenty-three kindergarten teachers, all members of GUWKPS – an Education International (EI) national member organization – participated in this training. The program was designed, recruited, and led by GUWKPS based on their assessment of member needs. This initiative is part of a broader partnership involving EI, GUWKPS, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the German Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), and the Danish Union of Early Childhood and Youth Educators (BUPL). The goal is to empower and support Palestinian kindergarten teachers in building a strong union committed to professional development.
Expert-led sessions
The training’s key objectives were to:
- Provide a supportive professional environment for teachers’ learning and collaboration.
- Share experiences and resources for best practices in trauma-informed education.
- Highlight the GUWKPS as a leader in providing resources and conducting professional development.
The training sessions were conducted by Joman Mazzawi Khayal, a Palestinian professional trainer with extensive experience in trauma, community health, prevention practices, and creating a safe psychological and healthy environment for children. Abla Masroujeh, a representative from the Solidarity Center, also played a crucial role in organizing the program and selecting the trainer.
Online resources
During the workshop, participants used an online trauma-informed education resource for teachers, written in Arabic and originally developed by Columbia University for the context of Ukraine.
Future plans
Looking ahead, the GUWKPS is working on developing a clear protocol for handling emergency and crisis situations, which will be shared within its network. This protocol will include recommendations for prevention, awareness, follow-up, and treatment.
Additionally, the original plan for participants to lead their own training sessions has been revised. Instead, the GUWKPS will lead additional sessions to broaden the pool of potential trainers, ensuring that more educators are equipped with the skills needed to support their students effectively.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the professional development of Palestinian kindergarten teachers, demonstrating the power of international solidarity and collaboration in achieving educational goals.