Zoom-In Zoom-Out: Positive Education Training Programs and Toolkit for Teachers in a Multicultural High School during COVID-19

Dr. Dalia Alony
Law & Business Academic Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
Amal High School, Israel

Number

123

Assigned to session

Keywords

Resilience and positive development
Mental health promotion and preventive interventions

Abstract

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) there were periods of a societal lockdown in which teachers and children could not physically attend schools and learning was transferred through online platforms. Yet, many children did not manage to keep up with their schoolwork due to low SES, unequal access to distance education modalities, learning disabilities, ADHD and limited learning support from parents.

Amal High School is a state funded multicultural school, having students characterized by low achievements, inability to function as independent learners, learning disabilities and emotional and social problems. A very high percentage of these students come from families of new immigrants. The parents themselves still face challenges adapting to a new society and earning a living.

Based on Positive Education literature and Positive CBT, we have created two 40 hours training programs including toolkits. The main purposes were to provide practical tools for teachers that could be easily implemented in the process of adjusting to a new routine. Tools that would enhance the teachers' strengths, ability to reach out to their students and keep teaching, re-establish student-teacher relationship. Each training program included 3 modules: teachers well-being, student well-being and systemic well-being of the school. Each module included unique strategies adapted to the personal and global situation.

Teachers and students were administered questionnaires before and after the training programs. Teachers reported all along the program great satisfaction. Results of questionnaires show a raise in teachers and students sense of well-being, belonging to school and improved teacher-students relationships

Authors

Dalia Alony