Two wonderful educational models

Our hosts arranged for a variety of interactive immersion opportunities. Two middle school and high school education programs were particularly interesting.

English is required in Israel, beginning in middle school. Most children's early exposure is from TV and then from teachers who are native Hebrew speakers. Enter the MASA teaching fellows, native English speaking college graduates and considered superstars by their young students. They are engaged by the Jewish Agency to come to teach in Israel for up to two years in the public schools. We met several, including Fiona who had a distinctly Scotish accent, which her fellow teachers claim helps to round ourt the studnet's English ear. We'll buy that. With our 8 travel,companions, we played a round of Jeopardy with a small group of Rishon Lexion students and were duly impressed. 

Yemin Ord tackles a completely different set of challenges. It is a youth village north of Jeruslaem and one of Israel's most innovative educational institutions, specializing in integrating new immigrant youth into Israeli society. The mix of children is Russian, heavily Ethiopian and increasingly Syrian.  Others come from families who may have been here longer, but are troubled. Children are either referred or parents apply on behalf of their children. The students board here during the week and have the option to go home on weekends. They live in group homes and besides the general courses taken by their public school peers, tremendous focus is placed on helping youth to understand what it takes to excel in life. Topics like "networking, help newcomers understand that the difference between their cell phones and those of the teachers they look up to are the names and numbers one accumulates and how those people can help them get information and solve problems as they move through life. 

Eventually these children will join the 2-4 year required military and possibly compete to go to college. Getting them on a more level playing field with those that are born here, already have Hebrew as their first language, have extended family and share a common sense of time and work ethic is a challenge for these young people. What makes the program even more impactful is that graduates come back both to motivate current students or just for a brief period of retreat to recharge and get centered. And who doesn't need that from time to time?

These program reminded us of some of the more successful charter schools we hear of that give that extra hand to those who may need it most. Very interesting to see the Israeli take.