How I want to Impact my Israeli School and Students

 Before beginning our jobs teaching English as a second language in a couple weeks, we were asked to think about what we really want to do at our host schools, our purpose there, and hopefully our long lasting impact. From an online orientation session today, I learned that processes in the Israeli school system go quite fast compared to the American school system. In America every little change requires piles of paperwork and approvals by authority figures. In Israel changes happen much quicker because they don't like to waste anytime and they want reform when it comes to their school system. This means as a fellow they will value my fresh perspective and new insight in order to have an impact at the school. Of course I will not try to change everything in an Israeli school because I respect their culture and they way things are done in Israel. 

But certain things I know I can help to add and improve. For example since the school is right beside the beach students should be taken out to the beach more option. In one instance they can be taken to the beach to be taught about their local environment, the local species, ocean education, finding shells and climate change awareness because the ocean absorbs a lot of carbon. This huge resource is right next to them and the principal said it is not used much at all. I think the beach could be an amazing place to learn and help the children connect with nature. But this is just one small aspect that I would like to help the school with. I also want to get to know each student individually and the things they are interested in and try to incorporate that into the lessons. I think the students will have a lot to teach me as I teach them, about their cultures and traditions, family life, Hebrew etc. On both sides we have so much to learn. Once I experience the school first hand I will have a better idea of the things I want to work on with my particular school. For now I will go in with an open mind, knowing the Israeli school system is very different from America, and embrace everything as a learning experience. Below is a photo of my roommates and I enjoying our first Shabbat dinner of the year.