Diversity in the teachers’ room
Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian-Israeli community in schools
Background
Members of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel often find it difficult to find teaching positions in Israel, despite their training in education. Of 175,000 teachers in Israel only 0.4% (about 700) are Ethiopian, despite making up 1.7% of the general population in Israel.
In addition, there is a lack of Ethiopians in management and administrative positions in schools (there are only two school principals from the Ethiopian community in all of Israel). This lack of representation is fertile ground for distrust and prejudice, and leads to cracks in social cohesion and the foundations of democracy in Israel.
The Merchavim Institute works to integrate teachers from the Ethiopian community in schools and kindergartens throughout Israel.
The program’s goals are:
- Successful integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community in schools throughout Israel.
- Expansion of opportunities for teachers from the Ethiopian community for professional development in leadership roles in education.
- Creation of opportunities for positive interaction between students and teachers from the Ethiopian community, education for diversity and developing respect for the differences between different communities in Israel
- Strengthening teachers from the Ethiopian community as inspiration for children from the Ethiopian community.
The program’s activities:
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community in Israeli schools.
- Professional support for the teachers participating in the program.
- Individual support for each participant.
- Working closely with school principals and teaching teams on the optimal integration of teaching staff, including workshops for schools on diversity and equality.
Program’s accomplishments
Since the program’s founding in 2017, 355 schools and kindergartens have participated, and 200 teachers have been placed in teaching positions. Over the past two years, when the program has placed special emphasis on supporting and guiding participants, we have seen an increase in the number and level of the teachers of Ethiopian background integrating in Israel’s schools.
Testimonials
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community
“The Ethiopian teachers’ integration program was a light at the end of the tunnel for me. The program supported me and helped me to successfully get my teaching certificate.”
Uri Ben Baruch
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community
“Even though the work is difficult and challenging, I love my students and believe in them.”
Wabalu Simon
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community
“The program supported me and helped me to enter the field of teaching in a full-time position. Now it’s my turn to prove myself.”
Ishalm Tasu Ababa
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community
“We are grateful to have wonderful teachers who are passionate about teaching. The fact that we have the program supporting us is very important.”
Amra Marsha
- Integration of teachers from the Ethiopian community
“As a beginner teacher, this is really a gift for me. I believe teaching is helping me develop as a person.”
Abraham Artenach
The program in numbers
355
Ethiopian-Israeli teachers working through the program
200
Participating schools and kindergartens
299
Students working towards their teaching certificate accompanied by the program
חדשות
The people who make it happen
Noah Mentesnot
The Ethiopian-Israeli Teacher Placement Program Director
Noah was born in Ethiopia, immigrated to Israel in 1984 at the age of 8, and makes his home in Kfar Galim. He has a BA in Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology and Masters in Public Administration for Managers from the University of Haifa.
He has extensive experience in developing leadership programs promoting empowerment and supporting the integration of Ethiopian immigrants in Israeli society. More than a decade ago Noah began working for the Jewish Federation of Miami and the Ethiopian National Project (EPN) in Pardes Hanna Karkur managing, and leading, educational and community programs promoting the integration of the community at the local and national levels. Noah joined Merchavim in 2017.
Contact Noah at noah@merchavim.et
Noah was born in Ethiopia, immigrated to Israel in 1984 at the age of 8, and makes his home in Kfar Galim. He has a BA in Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology and Masters in Public Administration for Managers from the University of Haifa.
He has extensive experience in developing leadership programs promoting empowerment and supporting the integration of Ethiopian immigrants in Israeli society. More than a decade ago Noah began working for the Jewish Federation of Miami and the Ethiopian National Project (EPN) in Pardes Hanna Karkur managing, and leading, educational and community programs promoting the integration of the community at the local and national levels. Noah joined Merchavim in 2017.
Contact Noah at noah@merchavim.et
Moshe Yeshayahu
Ethiopian-Israeli Teacher Placement Coordinator
Moshe was born in Ethiopia and made his way through Sudan to Israel at the age of 11, today he makes his home in Afula. He holds a BA in education with a teaching certificate and an MA in public administration from the University of Haifa. He previously served as a high school teacher and is currently the coordinator of a program at the Kibbutzim College of Education that combines teaching and the integration of students into the employment market. Additionally, this program provides life skills workshops and lectures on education, society, and immigration. He has extensive experience in the implementation of educational, community and social programs and has initiated programs with special emphasis on families and youth. Moshe is a social activist and volunteers to promote disadvantaged populations in the periphery. Moshe joined Merchavim in 2018.
Contact Moshe at: Moshe.Yeshayahu@smkb.ac.il
Moshe was born in Ethiopia and made his way through Sudan to Israel at the age of 11, today he makes his home in Afula. He holds a BA in education with a teaching certificate and an MA in public administration from the University of Haifa. He previously served as a high school teacher and is currently the coordinator of a program at the Kibbutzim College of Education that combines teaching and the integration of students into the employment market. Additionally, this program provides life skills workshops and lectures on education, society, and immigration. He has extensive experience in the implementation of educational, community and social programs and has initiated programs with special emphasis on families and youth. Moshe is a social activist and volunteers to promote disadvantaged populations in the periphery. Moshe joined Merchavim in 2018.
Contact Moshe at: Moshe.Yeshayahu@smkb.ac.il
