Israeli Educators Explore Excellence Beyond the Classroom
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Around 150 educators from the Bnei Akiva network attended a seminar in Be'er Sheva focused on extending educational excellence beyond the classroom. They toured Ben-Gurion University, Soroka Medical Center, and technology hubs to foster collaborations and expose students to diverse fields. Director General Elchanan Galat stressed embedding excellence into institutional culture and leveraging external resources for student opportunities. The goal is to provide practical tools and inspiration for principals to create these connections.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 150 Israeli educators explored how to integrate excellence beyond the classroom at a Be'er Sheva seminar.
- The Bnei Akiva network organized the event to foster collaborations with universities, hospitals, and tech firms.
- Principals toured Ben-Gurion University, Soroka Medical Center, and Aman's visitor center.
- The initiative aims to cultivate a culture of excellence that includes pedagogical and mental development.
- Director General Elchanan Galat emphasized embedding excellence into institutional culture and leveraging external resources.
Approximately 150 principals and heads of institutions from the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot and Ulpanot network participated in a professional development day in Be'er Sheva last week. The event, held in the city's innovation district, focused on transforming educational excellence from a concept into a consistent practice within their institutions. Participants engaged in lectures on fostering student excellence and methods for promoting it, particularly in peripheral areas.
During the day, the educators toured key sites in Be'er Sheva, including Ben-Gurion University, Soroka Medical Center, the Aman (Military Intelligence Directorate) visitor center, and the Technion Campus. These visits aimed to expose them to advancements in academia, medicine, technology, and security, and to highlight existing collaborations between these fields and the local education system. The network seeks to leverage these connections to introduce students to centers of knowledge and excellence at a young age.
A primary goal of the seminar was to cultivate a culture of excellence within the network's institutions that extends beyond mere academic grades. The presented vision emphasizes pedagogical and mental development, encouraging students to realize their potential in areas where they can excel. Principals were also urged to look beyond their school gates and identify how local universities, research centers, hospitals, and tech companies can serve as educational resources.
Elchanan Galat, Director General of the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot and Ulpanot Center, stated that the aim is to embed excellence into the institution's culture rather than relying on isolated activities. "Excellence is a culture that must be instilled with anchors and regularity," Galat explained. "We want excellence not to remain only within the classroom. Around every yeshiva and ulpana, there is a whole world of people, knowledge, technology, and activity, and our challenge is to know how to open the door to it for the students."
Galat added that the event provided practical tools and inspiration for principals to translate surrounding resources into tangible educational opportunities. "This day is designed to give principals tools and inspiration to think about how to take the resources around them and translate them into real educational opportunities for the students," he said. He concluded by emphasizing that this approach allows for teaching excellence not just through words, but through direct engagement with the people and places where excellence is actively demonstrated.
Mentioned
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
