English Without Borders – Tutors Introductory Meeting

English Without Borders – Tutors Introductory Meeting

11:00am Monday 11 September

A new school year is beginning with opportunities for new and returning volunteers to step up to go into Netanya schools to engage in conversation practice with pupils.

Netanya AACI members who would like to volunteer with the English Teaching Programme for at least two hours a week to chat with students, are invited to our opening meeting on Monday 11 September at 11:00 (if you can’t come that day, please leave a message at the office).

The programme itself is evolving as the new volunteer supervising team has very sturdy shoes to fill. Miryam Bar David and Myrna Silverberg have both moved on from years of dedication, organizing and supervising the programme. Netanya AACI welcomes retired teacher Renee Rosenberg as the new volunteer coordinator. Renee has been active contacting schoolteachers and principals to find suitable places for our volunteers. She is being assisted by Judy Shafarman Sellem and Diana Marco in the task. All three will be available to coach the volunteers and provide support throughout the school year.

Pictures show volunteers Myna Silverberg and Miryam Bar David,
who devoted years to overseeing the English Without Borders volunteer programme

In June, a small gathering took place to honour Miryam and Myrna and thank last year’s volunteers. Harvey Green and Freddy Apfel were among the volunteers who expressed appreciation for the outgoing coordinators. Appreciation was also expressed by staff from several of the schools that received volunteers.

Here are a few excerpts of a letter that was sent to Miryam on behalf of the staff of the Sharet Junior and Senior High Schools who have been aided weekly by volunteers including: Harvey Bordowitz, Elaine Feingold, Harvey Green, Myrna Silverberg, Jessel ז”ל and Sandra Sundy, and Nathan Treinish.

Dear Miryam,

At Sharet alone, your efforts and hard work enabled generations of students to practise their English and take the next step as citizens in a global world where English is the language of choice. We don’t know where to begin to thank you for such a gift, both in terms of the wonderful person you are and the privilege of working with you as well as the sheer scope of what you gave to our school and our students. Thank you for so many years of joy and happiness in running this programme. It was an absolute honour and privilege to work with you.

Love from the entire Sharet team

As an English volunteer, you don’t have to teach grammar or test preparation, but rather model clear pronunciation of your native English, provide listening ears for the young generation, and act as a model for intergenerational respect and understanding. In addition to providing special personal attention to the students you converse with, you will lighten the teacher’s load a little bit. You will certainly be making a contribution.

Come and join the Netanya AACI English teaching team meeting on 11 September or stop by to get more information about the programme.

Judy Shafarman Sellem

---

Renee Rosenberg 054-4339470, Judy Shafarman Sellem 052-8496116

Netanya AACI English Tutoring Project Coordinators