My class

J. seems to be working all the time! He has 45 students in his research class and they stop in and email him a lot. He has the only english class in research. All the others are arabic. Many do not have good english skills, so J. is constantly looking for ways to make the concepts simple and understandable. I think if I was a student, I would want to take J.'s class. He is doing all the work for them! Besides teaching, J gives workshops. He gave several to the "master teachers" and next Monday he begins a series for the local independent school teachers. He is also scheduled to speak at a huge education conference later in March. He was also asked to be on a select committee of professors here that mostly teach at the graduate school level- so he feels fortunate to be able to participate that way also. I am having a somewhat different experience. I still have no ID for the university, am not officially on the payroll and share a desk with my co-teacher. Yesterday I got a key to her office, so that is a step in the right direction. I will complete my 2nd week of teaching tomorrow. As I mentioned before, I co-teach 2 classes (clinic courses) on domestic violence in the law school. With all the adding and dropping done, I believe the final count is 19 women and 7 men. Phenomenal considering the entire law school has 250 students, 200 of which are women and 50 of which are men. This course has never been offered before in Qatar nor in any law school in the arab gulf. The subject is very sensitive. The method (a clinical course) has never been tried before. Very, very few studies have been done in the area of domestic violence and there are few resources for help for abused women. Next week I have an appointment to meet some professionals who work with abused women here. At least, I believe I will be allowed to meet with them. My class is hoping they will agree to come to class and talk to the students about services and answer some of their questions. I will be getting the classes ready for their visit! This is all a maybe, because this is not a topic for general discussion and I am not sure what those who work in the field even think about the subject. I really love my students! After a day in class I am exhausted, but I come home with a smile on my face. These young men and women are the future of this country and they are eager to learn for the most part. There are barriers to education that do not exist in the United States. The barriers are economic, social, cultural and religious ---- but that topic is for another day and another time. I am learning and reading like crazy on the subject. I am trying to be creative on how to present this clinical course. Creativity is not my strong point, but I am trying. I can be very passionate when I speak and I start walking around and using my hands to talk. Some of the women get a real kick out of me when I get like that. When I see their reactions, I usually calm down a bit and realize I have gotten out of hand! I may have told you that there are no women profesors at the law school. And few women lawyers. Professional women role models are just not available in any quantity here. So, I have an awesome responsibility. I am amazed at how the students dress for class. White robes and headscarfs for the men and beautiful black abiyas for the women. Coach purses or Coach brief cases and designer shoes. I wasn't really prepared to do much here other than be a "housewife". the designation I was given on my visa. So, I have 2 outfits that I switch off, a pair of sensible black shoes, an informal over the shoulder LLBean bag, and a grocery bag in which I carry my class material. (I can hear from children all the way over here. "Oh, mom, your are not carrying that LLBean bag!") . If I don't get my driver's license by tomorrow, I may also be walking to class. The students either have their own SUVs or they have drivers that bring them to class with maids that ride along and hand them their notebook and writing material. I really hadn't thought about the contrast until I sat down to write this blog entry. But, as the first 2 weeks have unfolded, I am so encouraged. It is natural for me to stick my foot in my mouth --- and I have done that here already --- several times. But, I truly respect the students and I believe they respect me. I have so much to learn from them in these classes. The goal is for me to teach them something also. Let's hope I succeed ---- at least, a little bit.