What a week I had this week! It's hard to know where to begin, so let's just go day by day.
The week began with teacher-training at Achva College, about a 40-minute drive from Ashdod. The training lasted from 10am-4pm, and consisted of various sessions and speakers who introduced us to the Israeli school system. This training day also gave us the opportunity to connect with the ITF fellows from other cities, as every city's participants were present this first day. We prepared for Monday, where we would make our preliminary observations at the school we were assigned to. We also met Jennifer, our Ashdod pedological advisor. She was so nice and helpful, and I am looking forward to working with her throughout the year.
Finally came the day when I would visit the school that I would be teaching at for the next 10 months. Josh (my teaching partner) and I arrived at the school at 8 a.m. and met Efrat, the school's principal. Not only was she so warm and welcoming, she also was so beautiful and had excellent style! We also met with Ilana, the school's main English teacher, and took a tour of the school, Rabin School, named after Israeli Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin.
The school was clean and colorful, and looked like a perfect learning environment for the children in grades one through six. We learned that student's at Rabin start to learn English in third grade, and we will be helping the three English teachers that the school employes. After the tour we met in Efrat's office to discuss our working schedule and also to get to know one another better. She informed us that the faculty would be taking a trip to Jerusalem that night and she invited Josh and I to come along! Of course we couldn't say no! :)
We left the school after a few hours and had a little break until Ulpan class. Because I know the alphabet and basic Hebrew, I decided to challenge myself and go into the more advanced class. There are six of us in the class and I am so excited to improve my skills!
Ulpan lasted two hours, and then it was off to Jerusalem for me and Josh! We met the teachers at the school and took a private bus to Jerusalem. Our first stop was the Kotel, or the Western Wall. Because it is the week of Sleehot, many people visit the Kotel to ask for forgiveness and pray.
After the Kotel, we boarded the bus again and stopped at HaMotzi restaurant, a famous little restaurant right outside the Old City. According to one of the teachers, the chef of the restaurant won the Israel version of Master Chef! How cool! The food was incredible and the company was even better!
By Tuesday morning, I was already exhausted from the past two days. Once again we made the trip to Achva for another day of training. We met back with Jennifer and other advisors, and spoke about the first day of observation and each participant's different experiences. Training again lasted until 4 p.m. and then it was back to Ashdod.
^Funny moment of the day: David tried Turkish coffee.. a little too strong for him! haha
That night, we also dressed our best to go to Synagogue, and learn about Yom Kippur. It was a special night where students from elementary school went to the temple and sang songs for the holiday. The rabbi spoke to us about Yom Kippur, although most of us did not understand because it was all in Hebrew. Hopefully next time we can find ourselves an English-speaking rabbi. :)
On Wednesday it was back to the school for observation day number two! We began the day sitting in on a sixth grade class. I was surprised that there was very little Hebrew used in the class and most of the children spoke English very well. We made friends with a few students in the back of the class and one even gave us his chocolate!
We then met the other two English teachers, Shiran and Orli. Ilana teaches the fifth and sixth graders, Orli the fourth graders, and Shiran the third. After a quick recess I went with Shiran to the third grade class and Josh with Orli.
The third grade students were learning the letter "C". They practiced writing and I was able to go around the room and check their workbooks. I loved seeing the excitement in their faces when they knew they had done a good job. I can't wait to start really going in and teaching!
Shiran also said something to us that had a big impact on my attitude. Since now, I always believed that I had come to Israel for myself. I wanted to take somewhat of a break from my life to find myself and see if Israel is somewhere I would want to live for a longer period of time. That is not how Shiran sees it. She told us how amazing she thinks we are, in the fact that we picked up our lives, left friends, family and our comfortable lives, in order to give our knowledge and help these children. Her words meant so much to me, and I am so happy with my decision to spend these next ten months at the school.
Wednesday afternoon we had ulpan once again, and I already feel as my though my Hebrew has improved immensely! I expect from myself to have a great level of fluency after the program finishes.
What an exhausting week! By Thursday I was totally pooped. But off we went to Achva for day three of training! We spoke of special education in the school system, and also learned of different and fun techniques for teaching in the classroom. The day came and went, and finally I had some time to go out with Sagi during the night. :)
Here we are! Friday has finally come and today we prepare for Yom Kippur later tonight. This is the first year I have really committed myself to fasting, and I have faith in myself that I can do it.
So to everyone, I wish you an easy fast, happy holidays, and may this year continue to bring only good and happiness!
