Oranim:(The Hebrew Name For Pine Trees)Academic College Of Education (The Kibbutz Movement) M.P. Tivon 3600 Israel (near Haifa, israel).
Oranim is 55 years old. It was established in 1951 because Histadrut felt the necessity for a "seminary" to train high quality childcare workers and teachers. Today, Oranim's goal is to bring out the teacher within each prospective educator. Students learn and live in an environment that combines the beauty of its scenery with a a wide intellectual horizon. Israel's brightest scholars gravitate toward Oranim. Artists, scientists, and educators of international reputation train the students.
Oranim's student's learn to educate youth in the same spirit. The result is a tradition that combines academic excellence with value and commitment. Oranim's staff and students set an example of excellence with value and commitment. Oranim's staff and students set an example of Arab-Jewish co-existence in mutual respect and acceptance. Most of Oranim's graduates serve in the Israeli education system. They work as kindergarten teachers, special education teachers, elementary and Junior High, or High School or as Headmasters of school's education ministry officials, lecturers in colleges and universities, etc. Oranim's alumni are well represented in the areas of educational counseling and management. Oranim gives the following degrees: Bachelor of Education (b.Ed) Master Of Education (M.Ed) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) for Humanities; Bachelor of Science (b.Sc.) for Science.
There are various divisions of teaching and Education at Oranim: (1) Early Childhood Education, (2) Elementary Education, (3) Special Education, (4) Bedouin Education (5) Art Education, (6)The Department for Secondary School Education, (7) Education Department, (8)Social Studies and Humanities "Mahar", (9) Science Education, (10)The Division Of Continuing Studies.
Special Education: Since the majority of children with special needs suffer from learning disabilities, this topic occupies a significant place in the curriculum. The students can specialize in other areas of special education such as Cerebral Palsy. Autism, sensory disorders and Downs-Syndrome. The Therapeutic Kindergarten, elementary school or combination of special teacher qualification-B.Ed. In addition to a regular teacher's certificate (Dipl.Ed) allows the graduates of this department to teach regular integrated classes. Because of the wide spectrum of their skills, gradtuates of the Special Education Department are valuable assets to the schools they work in.
Bedouin Education: This Department instructs teachers for the Bedouin sector of Israeli society; preschool, elementary and secondary school. The Bedouins occupy a special place among Israel's minorities. Oranim believes education is an important bridge over cultural gaps between the more established Hebrew School System and the educationally deprived Bedouin School System. Securing good schools and competent teachers for Bedouin children is one of the steps toward establishing a truly equal society in Israel. The language of instruction is Arabic and special attention is devoted to the tradition and mentality of the Bedouin population.
Art Education: The institute for Art Education integrates instruction of all theoretical and practical aspects of creating and teaching art.
Students have the privelege of studying art education under some of Israel's most respected artists who teach in this creative department. Artistic workshops include sculpture, painting, drawing, graphic design, computer applications, printing techniques and photography.
Students organize exhibitions of the works of well-established or avant-garde artists in the gallery of the institute. These gallery openings are festive public events and receive attention inside and outside Oranim.
Continuing Education: Successful participation with "in-service" training courses directly influencing both salary and pension. In addition, every seven years, Israeli teachers are entitled to a year of continuing studies: "A Teacher's Sabbatical". Teachers interested in improving their level of professional skills can earn certificates for their participating in courses like: *Integration of technology in the classroom *interpersonal communication skills *Mathematics and science * Assertiveness training *Psychodrama *Group Leading *Planning and Organizing events and school *Children's Literature *Judaism and Eretz Israel *Communication and technology * Human resources Management *Domestic Animal Care as a Therapeutic Tool * Instrumental enrichment * Internet Skills * conflict solving, and * The Arts as a therapeutic tool.
Research & Assesment Unit
Oranim's teachers are encouraged to apply for the Unit's Scholarships. The Unit supplies Oranim's professional, moral and financial support to researchers. Some of the themes recently published by Oranim's teachers are *Theater education and theater teaching in Israel.* Professional knowledge of teachers * The cultural clash between new immigrant youth (Olim) and Kibbutz youth. *Metabolic Reactions of the Commony Spiny Muse (acomys cahirinus) to food deprivation and food abundance. *The Influence of Diabetes on the lens of the Eye *The Influence of the Drug Ritalin on the graphic-motor skills of the children suffering from ADHD *Gender Stereotypes, Romance Novels and Family Therapy. Visual-manual communication. *The development of Kibbutz Education. Art under totalitarianism. *Implementation of the concept of multiple intelligence (Gardner) in Bedouin Kindergarten Education.
Hamidrasha (Center For Study and Fellowship)
Aimed at providing the secular population the opportunity for meaningful modern Jewish education. Demand for meaningful Jewish education for secular Israelis has been growing dramatically. Hamidrasha relates to Judaism as a living, dynamic culture and relates to jewish texts and sources as a source for inspiration not authority. Hamidrasha has responded to the particular needs of the secular public, most visible when it comes time to celebrate life cycle events and to mark the Jewish calender. Activities in Hamidrasha is based on unique educational approach involving a combination of different disciplines such as Literature, Talmud, History and Geography of Eretz Yisrael, also combining cognitive and affective dimensions. Hamidrasha's programs include: *Ongoing workshop for young leaders and educators *Beit Midrash: A Jewish study house *Ningun Beit Midrash for furthering pluralism NashimWomen's issues in Jewish identity and culture. Holidays and life cycle events for the Israeli family Makom: Center for cultural and social activites in the community. * The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program Jewish culture and identity in secular schools *Educational and social leadership development of young adults. *Mifgashim: Immigrant youth exploring Judaism *Relations between Israel and the Diaspora.
Shdemot (Center for Community Leadership)
Goals of the Shdemot Center for Community Leadership at Oranim are:
(1) Among the non-observant community in Israel, to enable the expression of commitment (2) To renew concept.
