Mentioned in Carnival of Education

The Israeli teachers strike is mentioned in the latest Carnival of Education.

Changes

I just changed the template and other graphics on the blog. Now the "sidebar" is on the bottom, at the end.

The Teachers Strike

I'm a member of the Irgun Morim, and we're supposed to be on strike.

There's a "tradition," precedent that teachers don't strike in YESHA, but some of us don't find that valid. Teachers salaries have plummeted in comparison to other sectors.

A group of us from the Yeshiva High School Mateh Binyamin went to last night's demonstration.


We saw other religious teachers, but we didn't see any from Judea and Samaria. It's very disturbing that our fellow/neighbor teachers have no idea what's going on. The other union, the Histadrut Morim signed a horrendous agreement which give an hourly salary lower than any other academic gets.

So far, we've been forced to work, but we were given off to go to the rally. We have to strike, too.

The Strike!

Israel's Irgun Morim, the teachers union I and most high school teachers are members of, is about to go on strike. The other union, Histadrut Morim, which has mostly elementary school teachers, signed an agreement with the government last year. It's a very bad agreement. Many more teaching hours are required for a drop more money.

• No special, reduced hours for mothers of young children nor the elderly teachers like me.
• No special payments for those of us high school teachers who prepare the kids for Bagrut, the national matriculation tests.

I don't know if our school will strike; though we're all in favor of our union's stand. Traditionally, schools in Judea and Samaria don't strike, since we don't want the kids wandering around. Today we're getting the union's decision if we may join the strike or not.

Fewer and fewer young people are studying education, because the salaries are low, and the new agreements make teachers' lives even more difficult. With added required hours, there's no time to take on extra jobs.

Teacher Shortage

There just aren't enough English Teachers in Israel.

Most of us are over fifty and ready to retire.

Many schools are willing to give uncertified people, who have some related experience and lots of enthusiasm, a chance in the classroom. There are certification programs in some of the teachers colleges for teachers to get licensed. I was in the first group in David Yellin Teachers College, Jerusalem. It was then the only program, and students in the group came from all over the country.

If you're interested in teaching and have the opportunity, just don't take on too many classes, and make sure that you have a supportive mentor and fellow staff. Also get on the ETNI list, and join ETAI.

Good luck.

PS I stared off teaching without any prior experience or training, and I love it. I've been teaching English here for ten years, already.

I support the strike!

Israel's Irgun Morim, Teachers' Union, is striking against the proposed "reforms." Unfortunately, the other teachers' union, the Histadrut Morim signed its approval.

Read my reasons here.

The school year is getting closer

I just got a phone call from the teacher who has the impossible job of putting together the schedule. I told her that I just can't handle 4 days, since my traveling is so difficult. The other teachers requested Thursday as day off, and I had wanted Sunday and Wednesday. For some peculiar reason, my request wasn't in the pile. Maybe that's because I wasn't at the summer staff meetings, since they were during my trip to New York.

We still have an opening for another teacher, male or female for a boys high school. It's in Beit El. If you're interested, please let me know.

Classes are supposed to resume on August 26.

Vacation coming to an end

Here in Israel, many of the religious schools are beginning the year on August 26 or even earlier. That's because Rosh Hashannah is very early this year, and the schools like to prepare the students for the spiritual importance of the Jewish New Year.

"free" to post, I hope

Something strange happened to this blog not long ago. It was somehow deemed "spam" by blogger, and it was "closed" for posting.

I sent in a protest, and they took a look and sent me a letter announcing that it's now open for posting. Let's see.

How to become an English Teacher in Israel

People are always asking me how to become an English teacher in Israel, how to get jobs, etc.

One thing; there's a shortage, especially of male teachers. There are schools which will only allow males to teach, so it's relatively easy to get a chance.

Many of us first began teaching and only later got official qualifications. I got my teacher's licence in the David Yellin Teachers College, Jerusalem.

Honestly, I love teaching. Otherwise, how could I continue?

I'm now asking anyone with information or questions to put them in the comments. So if you have questions and information, please go to the comments. Also, if anyone wants to join this blog and post, please let me know. I'll be away with less internet access for a few weeks, so don't worry if I don't get back to you immediately.

Thanks