Former Palestinian refugee wins $1 million teaching award

Hanan al-Hroub, who teaches in the West Bank city of al-Bireh just outside Ramallah, was awarded the second annual Global Teacher Prize during a ceremony in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum was on-hand to present the prize to al-Hroub, however her name was announced by Pope Francis in a video message after he talked about the importance of education and teachers, especially for children who grow up amid war.

"I feel amazing and I still can't believe that the Pope said my name," Hroub said.

"For an Arab, Palestinian teacher to talk to the world today and to reach the highest peak in teaching could be an example for teachers around the world."

She said she will use the million-dollar prize money to create scholarships for students who want to go into teaching.

Her win comes at a time of spiking tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

Five months of unpredictable stabbing, shooting and vehicular killed 28 Israelis and two Americans.

Palestinian schoolgirls walk past Israeli troops standing guard in the occupied West Bank [Getty]

Israeli forces have killed at least 194 Palestinians, 41 of them under the age of 18.

Israeli officials blame Palestinian leaders and social media for inciting the violence, while Palestinian leaders say it is the product of frustration and despair after nearly 50 years of occupation.

As Hroub accepted her award, Palestinians in the audience waved their country's flag and some chanted, fists pumping in the air, "With our souls, our blood, we sacrifice for you Palestine."

In her acceptance speech, she reiterated her mantra of "No to violence" and stressed the importance of dialogue.

In her acceptance speech, she reiterated her mantra of 'No to violence' and stressed the importance of dialogue

"The Palestinian teacher can talk to the world now. Hand in hand we can affect change and provide a safe education to provide peace," she said.

Hroub was among 10 finalists flown to Dubai to attend the ceremony.

The nine other finalists hail from Australia, Finland, India, Japan, Kenya, Pakistan, Britain and two from the United States.

Hroub had them stand on stage with her to roaring applause after her speech.

The Global Teacher Prize was established two years ago to recognise one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, employs innovative classroom practices and encourages others to join the teaching profession.

Hroub's official biography says she grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Bethlehem, where violence was a regular occurrence.

Her biography says she went into teaching after her children witnessed a shooting on their way home from school.

Her biography says she went into teaching after her children witnessed a shooting on their way home from school

That experience pushed her to think more about traumatised children and how classrooms can help.

She developed a book called We Play and Learn focusing on the importance of playing, trust, respect, honesty and literacy.

The inaugural prize last year went to Nancie Atwell, an English teacher from rural Maine.