The first-year program is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program that offers a new approach to teacher education. The lecturers come from both the Jewish and the Bedouin sectors, and do not represent a particular program or specialization. The three major units taught are: The teacher as a significant adult to children while supporting a social emotional learning environment, a teacher's role in providing equity, equality and justice in the classroom, pedagogical innovation and skills needed in the 21st century.
The program is based on a number of central educational principles: first, that what teaching and teachers have in common in all age groups, is greater than what is different between them. The second principle relates to strengthening a teacher's understanding that there is a deep connection between their own personal cultural identity and their professional one, influencing what they bring into the classroom and to the teaching process.
Ms. Barbie Shapir
Head of the First Year Studies Program
Pedagogical Advisor Early Childhood Education Department
Coordinator of student-teacher practice 1st and 2nd year Early childhood Education Dept.