**A Teacher's Reflections on Gaza's Devastated Classrooms**

Mosab Abu Toha, a poet and teacher, recently recounted his haunting experiences in Gaza, where educational sanctuaries have transformed into safe havens amid devastating conflict. The stark reality is that since October 7th, a staggering 80 percent of Gaza's schools have been either damaged or reduced to rubble.

In his last teaching moments, Abu Toha found himself amidst an extraordinary situation, not fostering minds but protecting lives. His classroom, which once echoed with lessons and youthful discourse, became a makeshift shelter. Joined by students and their families, they sought refuge from relentless Israeli airstrikes, finding temporary safety within the school walls.

The siege on the education system did not just disrupt academic routines; it forced countless families to abandon any semblance of normalcy. Abu Toha’s personal journey took him and his loved ones away from their homeland, leading them to temporary residence in the United States. His story is a poignant reminder that when educational institutions fail, they are replaced out of necessity by makeshift shelters, enveloping families in a struggle for survival rather than the pursuit of knowledge.

This transformation of educational spaces underscores a more profound loss—the erosion of a generation's potential. Abu Toha's reflections bring to light the broader implications of such devastation, as the hope for nurturing young minds is overshadowed by the dire need for basic safety.