Palestinian teacher Hanan al-Hroub receives prestigious education award

A teacher from the West Bank has been awarded a prize worth $1 million by an influential nonprofit. The former refugee was honored for her important contribution to the teaching profession.

Deutsche Welle, 14 March 2016

Hanan 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.

Read more about the winner of the 2016 Global @TeacherPrize @hanan_hroub https://t.co/j2FqmVtvVS #TeachersMatter pic.twitter.com/2D4BOrEzfd

— Varkey Foundation (@VarkeyFdn) March 13, 2016

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)