GFDD and FUNGLODE Showcases the Teacher Training Program of the MOFET Institute

The teaching methods and models of the MOFET Institute, which specializes in teacher training, were presented on Wednesday November 23,, 2011, by Sara Ziv, Director of its International Department, and  hosted by Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) in conjunction with FUNGLODE’s sister organization, the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development
(GFDD).  Yamile Eusebio, Director of the GFDD office in New York, delivered the welcoming remarks and moderated the event.

At the start of her presentation, Ms. Ziv stated that the main objective of the Academic Institutes for Teacher Training (AITT), is to prepare and empower highly qualified teachers and educators who are able to lead and to improve the Israeli education system. She said that these institutions play a vital role in promoting academic and
teaching excellence, social involvement and higher education.

"An AITT professor must hold a doctorate degree from a recognized academic institution. There is a preference for those who also have teaching experience," she stressed. Teacher Trainers are also required to be in possession of a valid registration certificate with an average
grade of 80 or above; must show proof of having taken and passed a Pschometric exam certified by the Israeli authorities; and have proven knowledge of English and computer science (assessed through testing).

In order for teachers to be eligible for academic promotion, they must demonstrate not only an excellence in education but also show proven initiative and creativity in developing curriculums, teaching materials and in conducting research and publishing
results.

Ms. Ziv stated that the development of the MOFET curriculum has been a 30-year trial and error process that is continually evolving. The Institute is aimed at teacher trainers, staff members in the Ministry of Education, senior educators, researchers in education and teacher training, and public and private organizations in the fields of education and training of educators.

The conference "Teacher Training in Israel: The MOFET Institute model and its Specialty in Teacher Training" was organized by Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), through its Centre for Educational Studies, and by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD).  The program included two seminars "Perception of the Role of the Teacher Trainer" and
"Introduction of Changes: Opportunities and Obstacles", offered by Michl Shahar, coordinator of the MOFET Institute’s projects for Spanish speaking countries.

The MOFET Institute is a unique leading educational institute under the authority of the Israeli Ministry of Education and whose primary objective is the professional development and training of teachers at all teacher training institutes in the country.

Related link:
http://www.mofet-il.org/884/