From September 2011 through June 2012 I am participating in the pilot year of Israel Teaching Fellows, an effort of the Ministry of Education in Israel and MASA Israel Journey to improve English literacy in Israeli elementary schools by introducing native speaking college graduates to complement certified English teachers. For the inaugural year, fellows were placed in five cities in the vicinity of Tel Aviv, Netanya, Rishon LeTzion, Petach Tikvah, Ramla, and Rechovot.
I am living in Netanya, a small city just north of Tel Aviv, and working with a partner from my program at Hilel Tzur Elementary School, where we are assisting the two English teachers at the school. I am working with students in grades 2, 4, 5, and 6 individually and in small groups to improve their English reading, writing, and speaking skills. I am also finding ways to engage students with English, including starting an English newspaper, participating in the city spelling bee, and teaching American history and culture.