1. In two separate day-long thinking retreats of 200 plus weekend school teachers, we asked teachers to vote on the number one need in weekend schools. The answer was clear: teachers' training. Surveying 900 weekend school students confirmed that teachers' training was of paramount importance. For these reasons, Sound Vision started offering weekend school teachers’ training
2. Most Muslim children attend public schools, and their only exposure to Islam is through weekend school. However, weekend schools can offer just a few hours per week, and facilities are often lacking. Most importantly, the majority of instructors have no formal training as teachers.
3. Sound Vision in partnership with the Crisis Text Line operates “Text SALAM to 741741.” It is an anonymous, 24/7 service. We are learning a horrible reality: about 10% of young people who text are contemplating suicide. We need to raise young Muslims who cherish themselves and their faith.
4. Over 50% of young Muslims face serious bullying, and we must aid them in any way we can. One method is by training their weekend school teachers. We have successfully trained hundreds of Sunday school teachers. We can do the same for your community as well.
5. Our children deserve the opportunity to be better Muslims, better neighbors, and better citizens so they can take America forward instead of witnessing it drown in hate, fear, and anger. For this reason we need to strengthen the primary channel of Islamic education for Muslims in America: The Weekend Islamic School.
To organize one in your city contact: Wahaj@SoundVision.com
For Muslim children the weekend schools is often their very first impression of Islam. Hence, establishing a professional program that provides presentations, workshops and panel discussions for teachers is very important. The program is a day long event for weekend school teachers that will provide tips, training and discussion on how the quality of weekend schools can improve throughout the country. At the end of each program teachers will receive certificates on completion of the Weekend School Teachers Training Institute Day.
We have already organized three teachers trainings, so Muslims in public schools become better equipped to deal with the challenges they face and can grow up to be better Muslims, better citizens, and better neighbors. Four other trainings are scheduled.
If you would like to host a Sound Vision Teachers Training Institute Day in your community, here are the resources we can provide:
- Survey (Every Weekend School has their own set of challenges to overcome. This survey will help us understand what topics need to be discussed in order to develop a quality program)
- Presenters (We have a team of highly qualified individuals who have years of experience in teaching and teachers’ training)
- Program Management (We will design a program that will address the challenges and needs for the Weekend School Teachers in your respective communities)
- Certification (Teachers who complete the day long program will be recognized and appreciated for their efforts)
What the community will provide:
- Completion of Surveys (Every teacher or principal attending the day long program must complete the survey provided by Sound Vision)
- Venue (The community is required to provide a place to host the program)
- Number of Attendees (We will need an estimated count of individuals attending the program)
- Cost Coverage (The cost of this program covers instructor honorariums, booking flights and overnight stay. Cost vary per community)
- Publicity
