The Power of Teaching, The Power of Learning
Think of a powerful learning moment in your life. Where were you? Who guided you through this moment? What made it a learning moment and, more importantly, what made it so powerful? Powerful learning can occur anywhere; however, turning a given moment into an important learning experience demands a specific set of skills that includes recognizing the potential in the moment and knowing how to capitalize upon it for maximum impact. This piece will explore the characteristics and actions necessary to foster and nurture these powerful learning moments as they relate to Israel learning and engagement.
In considering the potential impact of Israel in educational settings, we need only go back to our own experiences of Israel inspiration – whether on our first tiyul, meeting our first Israeli and hearing his or her stories, or encountering Israel at camp through music and play – in order to understand the power inherent in each of us to create deep connections to Israel and our Jewish selves.
Who is an Educator & What is Considered Educational Activity?
The moment we are in a position to affect another human being’s perspectives, we enter into the role of “educator.” Educators can range from youth group leaders, camp counselors and classroom teachers to Israel trip leaders and rabbis, among others.
Responses
Parker Palmer writes about living an undivided life--creating alignment between what we know and who we are. Lesley Littman's approach to the Israel educator as moreh derech, tour guide, reflects this important idea of Palmer's: we are not merely teachers of a subject, but are ourselves people who live in dialogue with the subject. In Palmer's teaching, the subject becomes the center of a great and ongoing conversation. This is a genuine vision for Israel education.
Litman’s insightful essay concerns both the self-identity and roles of the [Israel] Educator, continuing to rightly argue that most educators are not allowed the safe space and time to engage in the critical and reflective examination of what may be called the “educated-self”.
An affective educator is arguably a person as well as a persona; that is, an individual whose personal stake in the subject matter enriches his/her ability to address it in a manner that extends beyond the “self” and becomes an inspiration to others vis-à-vis knowledge, passion, creativity, innovation and leadership.