It's peaceful and quiet this last Friday morning of February 2009. It actually looks as if it will rain. It is not unusual to have rain in Cairo in the winter. This year has been an exception, which I attribute to global warming. I am working on lesson plans and activities for the upcoming month. It has been a busy academic year, personally and professionaly. Our school grew exponentially this year. This is only our third academic year, but we have more than doubled our capacity. As we move into the last few months of the school year, I cannot help but reflect on my performance as a teacher; my expectations from my students and if I am close to meeting my goals for the year. After reviewing my curriculum, I know that I am on target for learning goals and expectations. I have some students I red flagged for different reasons; from behavioral to learning problems. I am taking a proactive approach in meeting these individual students needs and thankfully, their parents are onboard. I have now started reflecting on my school community and whether my students are contributing to a healthy and vibrant community of learners. I truly believe they are learning to be a part of a bigger picture. The values and belief system of my school takes a long time to instill in our Egyptian culture. Forming a line, waiting in line, is unheard of here and it is not commonly practiced. For example, asking students to stand in line is contrary to his/her social norms. If you enter any bank, office, or in particular any grocery store you find people pushing through lines to get to the front without any regard for others. I once had an older well dressed, seemingly educated gentleman push his way to the counter in front of me to purchase a coffee in the Gezira Club. When I told him in Arabic that I was waiting ahead of him, he replied to me in English "why are you complaining to me, he took my money." I didn't bother to argue with him. I realized that there was no point. He exemplified everything I find sad, wrong and disappointing in this country that I love so much. Complete and utter disregard for consideration of others. To me, he was no longer considered important enough to argue with. Regardless of his family name, his level of education or his background, henceforth, he was simply ignorant, irrelivant and unworthy of my time. I face this same issue daily as an educator in Egypt. Respect for others, inclusiveness, tolerance and consideration are imbedded in our schools philosophy and belief system. I put credence in it, and I plant it in my classroom as seeds; nurturing it, caring for it daily. The problem with that philosophy and belief system is that it is not recognized outside of my classroom or our school community. Respect for others and self at school does not work well in a class based society outside of school. Each day, for eight hours a day, I remind my students to stay organized, keep up with personal items, pick up and clean up after themselves, put trash in the garbage cans. Once they leave the school, their drivers pick them up, their maids clean up after them, carry their bags, pick up their plates, pick up their garbage. Each day, I try to teach my students personal responsibility, that respect is earned not a given. I am sure at times it is confusing for them. Our culture is based on entitlement; My family name is such and such, so I am entitled to do as I like. I paid the schools fees, so I am entitled to treat you like my employee. I am the brother of such and such, and I can buy you, force you, coerce you to conform. Each day, I try to model behaviors of consideration and compassion. I am sure that is difficult for them to comprehend when their parents teach them that the maids or the workers are beneath them, a different class than they are and they are not worthy of any concern or respect. God has placed them on this earth to serve them, and that is and always will be their only place. It is a daily struggle and many days I feel defeated. I wonder if I have lost my mind, to continue trying to practice what I preach. Yet, I do continue, because I believe in my students and I place my faith in them.

This is my last academic year in Egypt for a while. I will be returning to the US during the upcoming summer. I can only hope with the economy the way it is to find a job in education upon my return. Only time will reveal those opportunities. Whatever those opportunities may be, I know I am up to the challenge. Seven years of working in education in Egypt has prepared me for any challenges that may lie ahead.

Until next time,

A Woman of Egypt