By Gloria Averbuch
A barrage of misfortune for some students spurred the need for radical action. During a single week in the summer of 2017, in the AMIT Jerusalem schools in the Kiryat Menachem neighborhood, several serious incidents occurred, including a student sent to jail for a year-and-a-half.
In response, “Educators 24/7” was born, “a complete education model,” that began operating in September 2018. The program, which functions comprehensively and non-stop, provides a unique combination of academics, job training, post-graduate preparation, recreational activities and life skills in a structured and coordinated environment. It is run in cooperation with a coalition of partners, including the Jerusalem Municipality and several government ministries.
Educators 24/7 currently operates
in four AMIT schools:
· AMIT State Technological High School, Jerusalem
· AMIT Nordlicht Religious Technological High School, Jerusalem
· AMIT Dvir Jr. and Sr. High School, Beit Shemish
· AMIT Ramle Technological High School
According to Yitzhak Friedman, Director of Educators 24/7, “We have built a system for troubled students that views them from all angles, 360 degrees. It is a “multi-network” for youth that is run by a coalition of educators.”
The focus areas of the program are dubbed “21st Century Skills.” These include critical and creative thinking, personal skills and problem-solving, digital literacy, and Israeli values—a sense of belonging and commitment to the community and Israeli society, which is developed by volunteering in the community.
“The child comes to school for knowledge,” explains Friedman, “but when that’s taken care of, what’s important is their personal development.” He elaborates, “You can’t separate thinking skills from self-esteem and other personal qualities, because in the end, it’s all connected to personhood.”
And Friedman believes this comprehensive approach doesn’t just apply to at-risk youth. “I’d be happy if my own children wanted to take advantage of all the offerings of this program,” he says.
A Full Day
The mandatory academic school day of traditional subjects ends at 2 p.m., but the education continues with a number of innovative programs that run until 8 p.m.
As Friedman explains, “By 4:00 p.m. the students finish their academic lessons and tutoring and move on to the rest of their activities until 8:00 p.m. They organize for themselves a very diverse schedule comprised of topic areas of every kind: from cyber and technology to all types of the arts—including classical art, music, theater, and photography. They can also choose from learning all about cars, “jeeping”, survival skills, off-road biking, physical fitness, and army prep—among other activities and interests.
In addition, there is a part of 24/7 called “education in recreational areas,” in which program staff spend time in area parks and other “hang out” spaces in an effort to reach out and interact with students.
While participation in the afternoon sessions and activities is optional, the majority of students choose to stay, and that means year-round. In the 24/7 program, says Friedman, “There is lots of structure and almost no vacation.” Some employment opportunities are available during vacations. Mentors accompany the students, and the employers become part of the “educational coalition.”
In the academic area, studies are customized and done in small groups or one-on-one with the help of volunteers, including AMIT graduates and college students. In addition, Friedman explains, “When there’s a meeting about a student, it includes their teachers, counselors, parents and mentors—so everyone is connected and has the same defined mission.”
It may seem time-consuming, but the ability to work intensively with each student is what Friedman claims is the hallmark of the system. In coordinating and homing in on the students’ needs, he says, “It gives time, it doesn’t take time away—that’s what we’ve come to understand.”
Educators 24/7 is literal; it means there is always someone on staff available. Students and families can call a support hotline any hour of the day or night. “Off-hours calls are usually from worried moms who can’t locate a child,” says Friedman, who adds the issue is readily solved by on-duty staff reaching out to the student/family network.
A Measure of Remarkable Progress
“The results of our program are quick and dramatic,” rightfully claims Friedman. One concrete example is the decrease in incidents of vandalism and crime in the community. Within the first year-and-a-half of the program, those incidents were reduced by 60 percent in Kiryat Menachem. Today, the number of police files on youth crime in that neighborhood stands at zero!
What’s more, students are busy with extraordinary projects. One example, Friedman says, illustrates them all. With the voluntary mentorship of an established high-tech company in the community, a group of students has developed an app that sets large-group meetings with the touch of a button. Friedman adds that it has the potential to earn a significant profit. This same student success can be seen in other areas, such as the opening of art galleries and art shows.
The Future
This year, over 1,000 students were part of Educators 24/7. Next year, in addition to the existing four schools, Friedman plans to expand 24/7 to a number of schools in the north and south of the country. “We hope next year to reach 2,000, maybe even 2,200 students,” he says.
Many schools both within AMIT and outside have reached out to be part of the 24/7 model. “We can’t keep up with the requests,” says Friedman. “There are many places that want to do a program like this, and many students who would like to participate. We can’t get the money to fund it that quickly.”
It’s no wonder Yitzhak Friedman feels such a deep sense of purpose and pride. He notes that 24/7 has facilitated great student strides in areas such as start-ups in both high- and low-tech, the arts, and of course, excellence in studies, especially STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
“My greatest satisfaction is in the decrease in students’ misfortunes, as well as their many achievements,” he concludes.
