Israeli Educators Reflect on Balancing Military Reserves and Classroom Stability After 200 Days
Over 200 days of military reserve duty have disrupted the school year for many Israeli educators, leaving children confused about the absence of familiar figures like their gardener. Teachers who serve in the reserves describe the challenge of transitioning between active duty and the classroom, striving to maintain stability for their students amid ongoing uncertainty.
Eitan Mandelbaum, a teacher who also serves in the reserves, shared how his military service deepened his connection with students. Classes sent care packages to teachers called up for duty, and Mandelbaum maintained contact whenever possible, even visiting students during breaks from reserve service. He emphasized that the experience sharpened his understanding of educators' societal responsibilities and the role youth can play in their communities.
Mandelbaum recounted a poignant conversation with a student whose father is a career soldier, highlighting shared experiences of absence and anxiety. For younger children, the concept of "reserve duty" is difficult to grasp, prompting educators to provide simple explanations like "I am protecting us and our borders" when asked why they were away.
Returning from reserve duty is not an immediate transition; educators stress the importance of schools recognizing this and supporting staff and students through the adjustment. After three years of frequent shifts between military service and teaching, educators gathered in a seminar to discuss creating educational environments that foster belonging, meaning, and stability despite ongoing changes.
The seminar featured lectures, workshops, and group discussions focused on how pedagogy can help both children and staff cope with and influence their challenging reality. Mandelbaum, who led a group for teachers involved in national service programs, urged educators to see their role as extending beyond academic instruction to building community and society, emphasizing that this is a shared responsibility within schools.
