Saudi Gazette Students who have stupendous academic performance, participate in school activities and projects, eagerly volunteer for work, and display excellent leadership and organizational skills are awarded the prestigious Martin Luther King Award. This year, a young Saudi girl, Leen Abughazala, who attends the Mitchell Elementary School, US, made her mother and her country proud when she not only won the Martin Luther King Award, but also the Best Reader award at her school.This did not came as a surprise for those who knew that Abughazala was an avid reader. She spends most of her time reading literature, stories, poetry, and just about any book she can get her hands on. The proud mother of Abughazala, Dr. Ola Sukar, said, “Leen's accomplishment proved to the students, teachers, and administrators of her school that Islam is a religion that puts moral conduct and education on a pedestal. A Muslim is characterized by intelligence and noble conduct from a young age. She showed that Saudi children are special and are vastly different from the stereotypes perceptions that Americans have of young Saudis.” “The education system in the US helps young children discover their talents, gifts, and strengths from a young age. Teachers are aware of the student's talents and preferences and continuously accentuate and develop these skills. By the time students are in high school, most of them already know which career they want to pursue and they have already drawn their future plans. When students build on their own strengths and study in the fields they love, they will shine and be more successful,” said Sukar. She further highlighted some aspects of the teaching process in the US and hopes that they will also be properly implemented in the Kingdom's schools. For example, if a student starts falling behind in a certain subject, specialists are brought in to help the faltering child, tutorial services are offered, and the school works closely with the parents to help get the child back on track. In addition, teachers are provided with many incentives to help students advance in their studies. Schools that care for their students and when those students surpass other schools, both academically and in extracurricular and social activities are eligible for additional funds and financial support. In her endeavor to see education flourish profoundly in the Kingdom, Sukar said, “I urge the Ministry of Education in the Kingdom to require teachers to undergo a rigorous training program and obtain a teaching license. I think the teaching license or certificate should only be given to those teachers who deserve it, who work hard, and who acquire adequate training and knowledge both, in their subject specialty and in childhood development and psychology. “In developed countries, none is allowed to teach in schools unless they have a certified teaching degree. The power of the teacher should not be underestimated. A teacher can either kill a child's dream or give birth to a student's dream and unleash her creativity and persistence until she reaches her full potential.” __
