Dear Daphna,
Even during this difficult time, when our daily routine looks completely different, Athena Fund continues to work for the good of Israeli teachers. We wish you and your family good health, and we hope for a quick end to the coronavirus pandemic.
As we approach Passover, we would like to wish you and yours a happy holiday.
We want to share with you the developments and events that not only are happening at Athena Fund but also bringing the organization and our programs to new heights.
Thank you for your support.
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From Jungle Boy to Independent Youth
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We are sharing here a moving story told by Dorit Menashe, a homeroom teacher and Hebrew coordinator at the Hattie Friedland (also known as Kiac”h) school for deaf and hearing-impaired children in Jerusalem. The story is about Ari (not his real name), a child with Down syndrome who is deaf and does not speak. This story won first prize in the “Most Inspiring Story in Memory of Amos Ilani” competition held by Athena Fund. The purpose of the competition is to hear how iPads provided by Athena Fund to special education teachers have helped special needs students reach outstanding achievements. To read the full story
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First place award winner, Dorit Menashe
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Albert Einstein:
In the Midst of Every Crisis Lies Great Opportunity
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Albert Einstein once said “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.” I believe within the coronavirus crisis lies a great opportunity to recognize the potential of harnessing technology for innovative and advanced learning. This is an opportunity to look at the future to come, where teachers serve as mentors and learning takes place outside school walls using technology. It is important to note that the role of the teacher will not go away due to technology; as teachers become more adept at using technology, they will have a bigger impact and bring their students to greater achievements. Let us hope that the current crisis will soon pass. Read my article that was published in EdTech Digest |
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Will remote education in the coronavirus age make teachers obsolete?
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As the world is getting used to remote learning, we are seeing a lot of confusion and frustration coming from teachers, students, and parents. Indeed, Israel was caught off guard, and virtually unready for this. Yet, another question now arises in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis – that of the status and role of teachers – and whether or not there will come a time when their role will become obsolete. Read my article published by Forbes Israel online on Sunday 29-3-2020
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Athena Passes a Milestone of 25,000 Teachers
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To date, Athena Fund has distributed laptops, iPads and tablets (depending on the specific program) – along with the other components of the “digital toolbox” – to some 25,000 school and kindergarten teachers at 2,200 schools and kindergartens in 167 local authorities across Israel. Over 500,000 students are benefitting from an improvement in their level of studies.
Since the beginning of the Jewish Year (in September 2019), we have distributed digital toolboxes to 1,447 special education teachers in schools and kindergartens in 24 local authorities.
Additional local authorities are planning on joining Athena Fund’s programs, and we are currently working to raise additional funding.
Athena Fund’s programs are made possible by our strategic partners, including the Professional Advancement Fund of the Teachers Union, Bank Massad, the Israeli Ministry of Education, the Ted Arison Family Foundation, the Sylvan Adams Family Foundation, UIA Canada and our other program donors.
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Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher” program partners in various communities"
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Supporting Teachers and Children in Times of Trouble
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After more than a decade of working together on behalf of teachers and students in Israel, the order of the day is driving us to expand our efforts by supporting teachers’ capabilities to teach from home. We must act – right now – to ensure the continuity of the education system for every girl and boy in Israel. Following the decision to close all schools and educational institutions in Israel, as of today millions of students will remain in their homes for an unknown period of time. While the Ministry of Education is preparing for distance learning, Athena Fund believes that there is a need to lead a broad initiative that will allow the proper continuation of education via digital means for every Israeli child.
Read more
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A Digital Toolbox for Special Education Teachers
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Athena Fund’s digital toolbox for special education teachers includes: an iPad, 120 hours of professional training, three-year warranty, three-year technical support, education credits, a personal printer, an iPad carrying case, a classroom projector, and wireless internet in the classroom. To read more
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Special education school and kindergarten teachers with new iPads
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Research About iPad Recipients Appears in an International Journal
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A research study that was conducted among special education teachers who received iPads from Athena Fund was published in the international Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology. The research was conducted by Dr. Sigal Eden of Bar-Ilan University and Dr. Margalit Navon of Tel Aviv University, under the leadership of Professor Adina Shamir of Bar-Ilan University. Read more
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Special education teacher using iPad teaches special needs student
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"A Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher" in Nahariya
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Elementary school teachers in the city of Nahariya recently joined the “Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher” program. Distribution of computers to the teachers was enabled by the efforts of Athena Fund and its partners: the Professional Advancement Fund of the Teachers Union, Bank Massad, the Ministry of Education, Mifal HaPayis (Israel’s national lottery), Bituach Yashir (Direct Insurance), and Nahariya Municipality.
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Elementary school teachers in Nahariya with laptop computers
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Top photo (right to left): Sagi Itamar, CIO of Nahariya; Eli Elbaz, CEO of Nahariya; Daphna Tamir and Uri Ben-Ari of Athena Fund; Ronen Marley, Mayor of Nahariya; Ruti Nachum, Assistant Head of Education & Community Administration; Ilan Vaknin, Head of Education & Community Administration; Itzik Peretz, Member of Nahariya City Council.
Bottom photo: school principals holding charter advocating integration of computing in education
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Additional local authorities are planning on joining Athena Fund’s programs, and we are currently working to raise additional funding. Please share this update with anyone who might be interested in participating in our programs that empower teachers, such as mayors, managers and directors of education departments, school principals and teachers, as well as donors, volunteers and others who would like to help contribute to our continued success. If you would like to contribute to the empowerment of teachers in Israel, please click hereIn closing, I would like to wish you and your family a happy Passover holiday once again, and thank you for your continuing support. Sincerely, Uri Ben Ari President and Founder Athena Fund
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