At Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, Humanities teacher Sourosh Amani is turning his classroom into a vital forum for understanding the escalating conflict in his native Iran. Twice a week, the former refugee and scholar hosts informal lectures to help students navigate the chaos following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.
The Press Democrat reports Amani recently shared insights on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and the rise of his “hardline” son, Mojtaba, drawing on his own lived experience of displacement and war. Colleagues say his unique perspective—having lived in refugee camps before moving to the U.S.—is helping students think more critically about global headlines.
Beyond the classroom, Amani is a celebrated soccer coach who says he’s found a sense of belonging in Sonoma County, even if he still feels like a “man without a country.” His goal remains simple: to ignite young minds and provide a space where students feel safe asking the tough questions about a changing world.
