Meet The Teachers: Ilham

"I have been teaching here at the Azraq Community School for two years and before this, I taught for 15 years in Idlib, Syria.  I love working with children.

I used to teach the primary grades in Syria. Here I teach Grade 1.

When I first came to Azraq, the school was still just starting. I taught Syrian children of all ages. I had 35 children in grades 1, 2, and 3. I taught from 8am -12pm for one group of students and then the second group was from 12pm-4pm. Then we were able to open up another classroom. We divided the classes and got more teachers, but for 2 months I was the only teacher.

I now have 30 students in the classroom and no helper. I am capable of doing without though. I used to have 30-35 students in Idlib.

I am in need of resources, large images, posters, things to put on the board. I need books -  these are essential. They are the basics that any school needs. I want clean books with colors, not copies. It’s depressing that way. The students will react better with colorful images.

We need English teachers. We do teach them. But it’s different when a specialist English teacher comes in- they will benefit from that. I can and do teach every other subject on its own. I am even doing physical education with them.

The English classes are essential to happen on a regular basis and more than once a week and for all the classes.

There are intelligent students in my class - but Syrian children face a lot of difficulties.

I have four children, two girls and two boys. My husband is at home with my 5 year old. I have a lot of pressure in my life. My husband is unemployed. I am working at home and at work. I am tired.

Mostly, I dream of going back to Syria."

Ilham, Teacher at the Azraq Community School