I was very much looking forward to learning about the impact of the Greek financial crisis on the Greek education system. After viewing and reading the resources shared, I have much better insight, new questions, and a heightened excitment to expand upon this learning during our time in Greece. 

As I learned, the finanial crisis that started in 2008, as sumarized in the brief video emphasizing the increase in population below the poverty line, unemployment rates, as well as austerity measures, greatly impacted all facets of Greek society, especially the educaiton system from early childhood to tertiary schooling. This new information about the finaincial criss and it's impact on schools helps put some of the statistics and goals explored in the last update regarding education in Greece in context. I noted that the prevalance of temporary teachers was exacerbated by the crisis but was indeed present prior to the crisis as well. Additionally, I noted that the goals around teacher training and developemnt, explored in the fourth resource of Update 3 about education, are in part due to the changes in the student population in Greece as the refugee population grows in Greece. 

Furthermore, Vergeti and Giοuroglοu explore the direct impacts of the crisis both postive and negative in COAS article. In regards to the positive impcats, of which I did not expect to read much about, I related these impacts, including school initiatives to support students and families in need regardless of the school's needs, to the postiive imapcts seen in many crisis situations where people unite in ways they may not have in the past to support one another. I think this is important to note and hope continues in Greece as school conditions improve over time as planned. In regards to the negative impacts including lack of funding, larger class sizes, and teahcer fatigue, I expected these to be prominnet concerns after the crisis but had not read about them in detail until today. As an educator, I found it interesting and understandable that the biggest concern related to increased class sizes is the challenge to provide personalized learning in order to meet the needs of all students as reaching and supporting ALL students is the hallmark of good teaching. The negative impacts of funding cuts compund greatly. Without resources, from heat to paper, or specialied personel, both emphaized in this report, teachers are presented with even more hurdles to meet the needs of their growing student populations. This affects students' access to a quality and equitable education. Similar to school districts in the US who face similar barriers, schools in Greece have turned to non-govermental agencies for sponsorships and partnerships in order to keep their doors open and serve students the best they can. 

Lastly, in regards to growing class sizes, the video referenced the growing number of refugee students and how multicultural schools are serving these populations and helping them integrate themselves in the Greek community. One man in the video referenced his time in a Greek public school in which he was made fun of by white Greek students based on his Pakistani identity. I am interested in learning more about how public schools that are not multicultural schools are suporting teachers in welcoming all students as well as deevloping native Greek students' capacties for engaging with the increasingly diverse population in Greece. 

Looking forwad to so much more learning around Greece's resiliency as it relates to life after the crisis!