Assaf Siri is a math teacher for five units and a coordinator at the Amit Hamar Education Campus in Rehovot. After high school, Assaf studied at the “Kerem Bivne” hesder yeshiva. He served in the 890th Paratroopers Regiment and participated in the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, and Operation Pillar of Cloud. Assaf graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Bar Ilan University. After two years in the accounting firm, he decided to retrain for teaching mathematics at Achva College and completed a master’s degree in education at Orot Israel College. To be a teacher is, in my eyes, a first-class mission, so I am happy about the decision to be a teacher.
Who I am in 99 words
Assaf Siri, 39, lives in Yavne and is married to Naama, a teacher by profession, father of two daughters and a son: Noya, Elia, and Hoodia. After high school, I studied at the “Kerem Bivne” hesder yeshiva. I served in the 890th Paratroopers Regiment and participated in the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead, and Operation Pillar of Cloud. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Bar Ilan University. After two years in the accounting firm, I decided to retrain for teaching mathematics at Achva College and completed a master’s degree in education at Orot Israel College. Today, I am a math teacher for five units, an excellence coordinator, and a masterpiece at the AMIT Hammer Education Campus in Rehovot. To be a teacher is, in my eyes, a first-class mission, so I am happy and happy about my decision to be a teacher.
I chose to be photographed with…
Math books because I find, like quite a few people, the magic in this important field. Even if some of us have no direct connection to formulas, functions, and vectors, we are all still influenced in one way or another by mathematics. The first question a student asks when s/he comes to study math is, “How will it help me in life?” I immediately answer that mathematics has an impact on different and varied areas of our lives, and of course, give relevant examples.
One student, one story
In my early years as a teacher, a student came to me with almost no basic knowledge of mathematics. The student was supposed to be embedded in group three units but asked me for an opportunity to stay in my group until the end of the year. He did not give up; he invested time in his studies and even when he received low grades. I saw and admired his investment and the strength of his will. I believed in him, he believed in himself, and thanks to the encouragement received,, he was able to complete a five-unit matriculation in mathematics with a grade of 92. It was a lesson for life.
Motto for life
Never give up when you want to achieve a goal. The desire, perseverance, investment, and faith will lead you to achieve it. It’s easiest to give up. The difficulty is not a reason to give up. My wife and I gave birth to our three children in fertility treatments when the first gift, our eldest daughter, Noya, we received after seven years of treatments. We knew that nothing would stand in our way, and with the help of prayers, we realized our dream of having children.
To be a teacher in Corona
Corona challenged us and allowed us to do things we had always dreamed of. AMIT Hammer invited students to a TED competition in English that was meaningful and special. In general, I wholeheartedly believe that our job is to develop in the student their creativity and imagination. I initiated the Torah art competition that the Khamad and the AMIT Network have adopted, in which students all over the country write works in the sacred subjects on a topic close to their hearts.
My dream as a teacher
To develop special tools that will make students love the math profession, discover the magic of math and understand that almost every mathematical subject is hidden in our lives. All the students need is a teacher who will make the student’s experience this “caste of fear” profession as a fascinating and experiential journey.
