I was born in Haifa, Israel where I spent much of my childhood as an activist in the Hebrew Scout Movement — the largest youth coalition in Israel. I guided groups of students and coordinated training for various Scouts programs. It is here where my love for education first began. 

 

I enlisted in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) two weeks after the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. I served for 15 years in the army in various command, management, and training positions. I completed my military service with the rank of “Major.” After the army, it was natural for me to continue contributing to society and influencing it to become a better place.

 

I entered the workforce as a teacher and educator through the “Hotam” program, which is the Israeli equivalent of “Teach for America.” “Hotam” believes that the way to promote equal opportunity in Israel is to develop a high-quality community of educators, teachers, and leaders who work together to enable every child to choose their own future — regardless of their parent’s income, education level, or social standing. 

 

I was placed as a Hebrew and History teacher in an excellent high school in Bat Yam: “Ort Ramat Yosef.” After serving several years as a classroom teacher and curriculum specialist, as well as in a variety of administrative management roles, I decided to begin a principal certification program. I wanted to become a principal because of my desire to create change not only for individual students but for an entire community.

 

After the program had completed, I chose to apply for a position in another school in Bat Yam: “The Gordon School.” This school is located on the border of Jaffa, and about a quarter of the families are recent immigrants to Israel and some come from low socio-economic households.

 

I spent time researching the school, and I learned about its strengths and challenges. I devoted a lot of energy learning about the students, staff, and community. One of the main obstacles was the ability to teach Hebrew as a second language to students, but it was an obstacle we were able to overcome. I came to the realization that places such as “The Gordon School” are where changes in education can be made. 

Indeed, after four years of running the school, one can see a turnaround in areas including pedagogy, school culture, and the environment of students, parents and the community. Today, along with continuing my education and teaching, I give lectures, workshops and share my knowledge and practical tools to lead change and transform what is sometimes considered "impossible" to "possible."