#itfnetanya

[marniaportal]

One of my favorite days last year: walking down a mountain side through waist high tall flowers. #itfnetanya #onemonthayear #whatdelicatemoonbeamsweallwere #aswetriedtoavoidturtlesandbarbedwire #anddiscussed

[teachnetanya-blog]

The first two weeks

School has officially begun, but it seems that organization is still a month behind at Bialik. The teachers still have yet to receive their schedules so every day is honestly very frustrating and confusing. We never know who and how many students we will receive. We don’t have time to plan lessons and have to think of them on the spot. We are thankful when the teacher tells us what to do. 

Despite the frustration, I am happy to have this experience. Working in the toughest situations puts everything in perspective and offers many lessons:

1. I am actually getting used to this situation. I stopped stressing when I don’t have schedules a week in advance. I’ve learned to just go with the flow, because it never ends up being a disaster. The worst thing that’s happened was that I make myself unhappy unnecessarily.

2. I learned a ridiculous amount of Hebrew! Since my last post 3 weeks ago, when I could barely say 10 words in Hebrew, I am now putting together sentences. I am learning how to communicate with students who do not know enough English to communicate with me. 

3. I am becoming proficient at figuring out what needs to be done on the spot and developing plans at short notice. No chairs? No book? No idea what we’re even supposed to be learning? No worries, I will figure out what the students are capable of and not yet capable of and play games to improve their abilities. In the end, that’s what I’m here for, right?

The strongest people emerge from the most challenging situations. I take on this challenge! (Also, I think the teacher will finally receive the schedule tomorrow! Huzzah!)

[jrossier8]

Last night, as I watch my last #sunset in #israel, I had mixed emotions. I'm sad that my journey here has come to an end, but feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to experience living in this beautiful country that I gladly call home. Moving here was the best decision I have ever made, and Israel, you haven't seen the last of me. #telaviv #israelisreal #itfnetanya

[myriah-clare]

Another Netanya sunset. Welcome to the weekend, it's going to be a good one. #itfnetanya (at טיילת חוף נתניה)

[relrelgoestoisrael]

This was my playground today: casual. #nofilter #desertplay #ITFNetanya (at Negev )

[marniaportal]

Another day, another glorious reunion. #itfnetanya #anddiscussed #Myriahyouelegantstarfish

[marniaportal]

Shit we're precious. #reunited #itfnetanya #anddiscussed #howamigonnabeanoctopusaboutthis #thatshowwedo #ainlikoach #Sukkot

[marniaportal]

Missing my beach. #thatbeachismagic #itfnetanya

[marniaportal]

TG we got another reunion up in here. #itfnetanya #inmericuh #lookittheselilnuggets

[marniaportal]

Everything about this picture makes me happy. #fromourdanceparty #tosunset #itfnetanya #11days

[marniaportal]

Two of our usual students swaggered in late to class this morning but we weren't even mad because their excuse was that they were busy printing out these letters for us. #dearmarnieandjassica #classicisrael #IwillalwaysrememeberthatyoursomewhereinAmerica #ITFNetanya #iamgoingtomissthesenuggets #englishissohardman

[marniaportal]

We took some nice family photos tonight but this one - slightly blurry and full of movement - is my favorite one. Me and Adriane and our two roommates. #pureunadulturatedhappiness #gunnamissthesefools #goddamntimezones #ITFNetanya #familyphoto

[marniaportal]

Eifo Israel?? #englishdays2015 #ITFNetanya #littlenuggets #imgoingtomissallmystudents

[marniaportal]

Final English day in the bag. What a way to end English week. Thank you thank you thank you for going through the trenches with me ladies. #englishweek #englishdays2015 #ITFNetanya #literallyonlyoneweekleftofschool

[marniaportal]

Dippin' our toes in the Mediterranean after some really great sunset volleyball. #28days #iamgoingtomissthis #sunset #ITFNetanya

[marniaportal]

Also taught our 4th graders duck duck goose. They also destroyed us. #englishweek #ITFNetanya #thiswasprobablytheonlytimeIwassitting