Diversity in the Teachers’ Room

Integrating teachers from the Arab community in Jewish schools in Israel’s school system

The program is a cooperation between Israel’s Ministry of Education, the Office for Social Equality and the Merchavim Institute – the Institute for the advancement of shared citizenship in Israel

Background

The Israeli school system is made up of four separate branches (Arab, Ultra-Orthodox, Conservative Jewish, and Civil). This separation prevents interaction between the different communities and presents a challenge for social cohesion in Israel.

The program advances the employment of unemployed teachers from the Arab community in Jewish schools which are looking to hire teachers. The result is a win-win which also creates social and cultural diversity in Israel’s education system.

The integration of teachers from the Arab community leads to a meaningful interaction with positive role-models from the Arab community, for each school’s students, teachers and parents.

From an educational and economic perspective, the program provides a solution for the current dearth of teachers in Jewish schools through identifying qualified teachers from the Arab community.

We cooperate closely with education programs and colleges throughout Israel to develop relationships with students working towards their teaching certificates from the Arab community. The Merchavim Institute is in direct contact with the colleges and communicates the program at events and other opportunities. Additionally, Merchavim runs a class worth two academic points at the University of Haifa about the cultural integration of Arab teachers in Jewish schools. We hope to extend this class to other academic institutions.

The Program includes:

Recruiting students of education towards the end of their studies, unemployed teachers, and teachers with a teaching certificate.
Evaluation and assessment of cultural suitability for integration.
Placement of Arab teachers in Jewish schools, per the skills of the teachers and the needs of the schools.
Individual support – helping teachers successfully meet the challenges of the multi-cultural interaction.
Group training to improve the personal and professional skills of the teachers – a 30-hour annual course on the subject of intercultural integration.
Support for school principals and teaching teams for optimal integration of teachers, including running workshops and training in schools for successful management of diversity and equality.
Workshops and seminars for teaching staff on diversity management school.

Integration Preparation

In July 2023, we helped the Ministry of Education launch the “Orientation Program”, a summer course designed to give teachers the tools they need for optimal integration. The 2-month Orientation Program, which takes place at teacher training colleges, includes six weekly hours of theoretical studies and four simulation workshops.

Program Content:

– Multicultural competence course

– Classroom management and parents-teacher relations

– Jewish heritage and culture

– Hebrew language with an emphasis on spoken Hebrew and professional Hebrew

The Program’s Accomplishments

Every year there has been a steady increase in the number of Arab teachers teaching in Jewish schools, directly through the program or as a result of its influence. In the 2021-2022 school year 182 new teachers and 84 new schools joined the program. In the 2022-2023 school year, 262 new teachers and 100 new schools joined the program, which now includes 525 teachers in 240 schools.
Dropout rate is lower for new teachers through the program than in the general population (10% per year vs. 25%).
A revolution in the arena of integration, including meaningful interaction with positive role models from the Arab community, both for students and teachers, parents and the school community.
Impact on the Arab community: strengthening the sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

FAQ on the Program

Who can submit a candidacy for the program?

Anyone with a teaching certificate.
Students studying towards their teaching certificate, in the third or fourth year.
Teachers in all subjects (excluding special education, kindergarten and Arabic).

How does it happen?

Those interested in joining the program need to apply by filling out the application form. We will contact relevant candidates and invite them for screening days. Those who pass the screening will be asked to the Orientation Program and then offered placement in the Jewish school system according to demand areas.

Where will the prospects be placed?

The Merchavim team will try as much as possible to place teachers in the geographical area close to their homes. Areas of demand are Tel Aviv and the center of Israel.
150% lower dropout rate for teachers in the program compared to the overall dropout rate in Israel.

Testimonials

Diversity in the teachers’ room, Diversity in the Teachers’ Room Program

The program provides a supportive community for teachers. In addition to the professional guidance from the program managers, we have a Whatsapp group of teachers in the program from throughout Israel. We share ideas and consult with one another.”

Saja Veted

Teacher and program leader of the “Growing Together” program in the ecological school in Ein Shemer

Diversity in the Teachers’ Room Program

“I start every computer class with a puzzle that requires creative thinking. The students come to class and immediately sit down to solve the puzzle. The kids today are actually waiting for this class. I got lots of great feedback, but more important of all, I see the smiles on the faces of my students and their shining eyes. It feels me with pride and motivates me to work even harder to find ways to get students to enjoy class and succeed even more.”

Sundus Terabia

Diversity in the Teachers’ Room Program

“Over the past couple of years I’ve received a lot of appreciation and respect in the school in which I teach, from parents, students, the teaching staff and management. I try in any way I can to help my students and to always be there for them, and to advance the study of the English language at the school.”

Lina Ganayim

English teacher, Eshkol, Acre

Diversity in the Teachers’ Room Program

“When I think of how I succeeded in my school I think of my coach from Merchavim – Samach. My school is great, the principal is the best and we all help each other – I feel like the team has my back – but what really pushed me to integrate in the school was my coach…. I used to be ‘quiet Amani’ who always sits off to the side, but since the guidance I received from Merchavim I discovered that I have in me a strong woman with a lot of initiative.”

Amani Halayla

Math teacher, Galil bilingual school, Kibbutz Ashval

Diversity in the Teachers’ Room Program

“This is my second year teaching in a Jewish school. There have been a lot of heartwarming moments. The teaching team is amazing, we are always there for one another. I remember in Hannukah the department head invited me to her home for a holiday dinner. I went with my daughters, we sat together and sang songs, lit candles and had a lovely time together, it was an evening I will not forget.”

Marva Halaila

English teacher, Misgave primary school

חומרי למידה בנושא תוכנית "שילוב מורים ערבים"

מאמרים ומחקרים בנושא תוכנית "שילוב מורים ערבים"

חדשות

The people who make it happen

Kamal Aggbriyah

Head of Arab Teacher Integration

Kamal was born in Yafo, Israel and continues to live in Yafo. He holds a BA in Political Science. He is an experienced group leader and has extensive experience in leading empowerment groups and Arabic/Jewish leadership development. He previously served as the Chairperson of the Student Council of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. Currently, he serves as the Chairperson of the Ajami neighborhood of Yafo. Kamal specializes in the process of instruction and preparation for cross-cultural integration of Arab teachers in Jewish schools. He joined Merchavim in 2004.

Contact Kamal at kamal@merchavim.net

Samah Seh

Teachers’ Instructor - Arab Teacher Integration in Jewish Schools

Samah lives in Arraba, located in the Lower Galilee in the Northern District. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and has taught the English language for over six years. Previously, she taught in Kuseife, a Bedouin town in the Southern District of Israel and in the Jewish education stream at the Nitzanim School in Karmiel. Today, in addition to her work at Merchavim, she teaches English at the Al- Zahraa School in Arraba. She joined Merchavim as a teachers’ instructor in 2019.

Contact Samah at samah@merchavim.net

Simon Statfeld

Manager of Principals Relations

Simon was born in Cyprus and today, lives in Bat Hefer. He is a civics teacher, an educational consultant and group facilitator. He holds a BA in Psychology and a MA in Educational Counselling. Simon has extensive experience facilitating groups in conflict, crisis groups and groups undergoing organizational changes. Simon has been with Merchavim since 2007.

יליד קפריסין, מתגורר בבת-חפר. בעל תואר ראשון בפסיכולוגיה ותואר שני בייעוץ חינוכי. בעל ניסיון רב בהנחיית קבוצות קונפליקט, קבוצות במשבר – ובהנחיית שינויים ארגוניים. במכון מרחבים החל משנת 2007.

Hikmat Moassi

Coordinator and responsible for training - Arab Teacher Integration program

Born in Israel, she lives in Baqa al-Garbiya. She holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching, specializing in science and mathematics. A science teacher and spoken Arabic, she taught for 13 years in Hebrew schools in Ganei Tikva and Herzliya. She holds a master’s degree in social sciences and art and a diploma in group facilitation. She is a graduate of an education course for a shared society, a facilitator of dialogue groups at the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace in Givat Haviva, a graduate of an introductory photography course, a graduate of a design and flower weaving course, and the owner of a flower shop “J’adore.”

Arab Teacher Integration