Teachers Helping Teachers to Support Refugee Children

The project is implemented by Twinkl in the Netherlands and the USA. It began in June 2024 and is currently ongoing.

Our recent project called on educators experienced in teaching refugee children to share their stories and insights for other educators to learn from. Through this project, we shared free educational resources with educators, as well as free Twinkl memberships. Our blogs highlight key takeaways to support and inspire educators working with refugee students, encouraging effective strategies and a more inclusive learning environment.

The aim of the project is to share with other educators the experiences and insights of educators who have experience teaching refugee children. In order to make the transition smoother and learning strategies more effective, for both the educator and refugee child.

Main activities of the Good Practice

Our project gathered insights from educators experienced in teaching refugee children to share their stories and best practices. Our main activities include surveys and interviews, through which we identified key challenges and effective practices through quantitative analysis. Strategies for supporting refugee students, encouraging a sense of belonging, addressing mental health needs, and implementing flexible and adaptive teaching methods were also identified.

The project highlights the essential takeaways to enhance educational practices. Educating refugee children requires a specialised approach involving various strategies, resources, and ongoing support. By sharing their experiences, educators contribute to a more inclusive and effective educational environment, aiding in the better integration and learning of refugee students.

Our outreach included free educational resources that educators are welcome to use and distribute freely. We also activated free Twinkl Ultimate memberships, which is our highest paid membership, to educators as a token of our appreciation for the work they do with refugee children and for their willingness to share their expertise and insights with others.

It's always important to find a community.

- Kateryna Odarchenko

Elements which helped facilitate the implementation of the good practice

Free educational resources and Twinkl Ultimate memberships were offered.

Partners involved

• No partners yet at this stage.

What challenges were encountered in delivering the project and how were they overcome?

Challenges

Attaching PDF files of the free educational resources, selected by us, in the emails. 

How they were overcome

Direct links to the resources were also sent to which the receiver could download it themselves and directly. Or, if they see a specific resource they'd like, they can request us to download it and send to them. This way the resource was selected by them.

Results of the Good Practice

• Stronger sense of belonging and cultural connections.
• Greater academic success and personal development.
• Improved mental health awareness/support.
• Effective teaching strategies and resources.
• Increased empathy and cultural awareness for educators.
• Improved teaching practices for educators.
• Better support and collaboration between educators and parents/guardians.
• Professional skills and job satisfaction.
• Reduced stress and better support systems.
• More effective teaching and positive classroom dynamics.

In what way does the good practice meet one or more of the four objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees?

Objective 2: Enhance refugee self-reliance

This project helps refugee students thrive in their new schools. By creating a sense of belonging and cultural connection, we support refugee families and reduce social tensions. 

Educators learn about training in trauma-informed and culturally responsive teaching methods, reducing burnout and turnover rates. This leads to a more stable and effective educational environment that benefits all students and reduces the need for extra resources.

Next steps

The project is ongoing as there is no expiration date on learning and gaining insights from others.

Are there areas in which support would be required to continue and/or scale up your good practice?

Reach more educators who teach refugee children.