Season of Light, Season of Change - Lebanon

Meet Mireille, Site Manager at Grow Preschool in Bourj Hamoud, Beirut, Lebanon.

Bourj Hammoud is located just off of the highway and surrounded by the communities of Dora, Karantina, Sin el Fil and Achrafieh. The founding father of Bourj Hammoud and its municipality was the Armenian Catholic Father Boghos Ariss who was instrumental in laying the foundations of a bustling city and center for the Lebanese Armenian community and served as its mayor for many years. Bourj Hammoud, located near the port, felt the catastrophic effects of the Beirut blast on August 4th, 2020, further exacerbating the city's already dire economic and financial crisis.

Aprender have supported Mireille and Grow for many years. Here's the responses to our questions.

1. What part of the Aprender training has made the biggest difference to you, and why?

As Site Manager, I believe that the “Lead Course” was so essential for my career. It is a foundational module for nurseries leadership team. It helped me personally to move my mindset from traditional leading approaches to child centered approach. It equipped me and my team with tools to lead change and insure a positive culture by planning for sustainability.

2.  How has your approach to teaching or leading changed since?

It shifted my mindset to reflect more and more on what happens on the ground. It helped me to focus on empowering my staff members to think, plan, and reflect. At the same time, it made me think on what is best for children's holistic development, not just academic outcomes.

3. Have you noticed any changes in your students since applying what you learned?

Indeed. Children are today more excited and involved in activities. They still facing the issue of not being able to focus all time, but I believe that with the support of our educational psychologist, we will be able to overcome this issue. Today, they take more initiative, make choices during activities, and express their thoughts confidently. They remember concepts better because they experience and interact with the content, not just listen.

4.   If you could say one thing to the people who made your training possible, our donors and supporters, what would it be?

Your support is helping us as educational leaders, to build the foundation of a brighter future. 

5. What’s your dream for your students or your school in the coming year?

Today, we are serving the children till the age of 4 years. I dream to be able to keep them at least 2 more additional years in order to continue offering them the same teaching approach for better outcome.

Your donations will ensure we can continue to support Mireille and other schools in Lebanon. Please consider donating £10 per month to support teacher professional development, or £25 per month to support the development of resources to develop active learning possible in classrooms.

Donate Here