Bridging English: Community of English Teachers in Kiryat Gat
Beit Yatziv
Field: Formal Education
FY26: $17,000
3rd Year
Location: Kiryat Gat
// About the Organization
The organization aims to significantly improve English achievements among students in Kiryat Gat, Shafir and Lachish by investing in the teachers, upgrading teaching methods and supporting advanced technology for personalized learning.
// Project Description
The Kiryat Gat English Teachers’ Community continues to grow and lead processes of innovation in English instruction across the city. The community, which began approximately two years ago as an initial pilot, is completing its first full year of activity in the 2025–2026 school year, with 23 participants in the professional development program and 33 teachers in the broader community.
As part of the program, a meaningful professional environment has been established for sharing knowledge, challenges and practical solutions; strengthening teachers’ sense of belonging and commitment to the municipal education system and integrating innovative teaching tools -with an emphasis on technology, artificial intelligence and up-to-date pedagogy adapted to the needs of teachers and students.
// Project Goals
The goal of this program is to create a community for English teachers in the Region to strengthen professional and personal resilience, by fostering a cohesive dialogue that empowers team members and builds a sense of shared pride and belonging. Members of the group will have a place to share knowledge and resources by creating a repository of materials, ideas and teaching methods. The community of teachers will hold meetings to exchange experiences, best practices and examples. The meetings will provide not only peer learning but also professional development; teachers will enrich their pedagogical-digital toolbox and integrate AI tools into English teaching and the learning process. The program will ensure ongoing professional support for teachers as part of a structured, process-oriented program.
By creating this community for teachers of the region, this program will improve the quality of English instruction across the city and contribute to higher academic achievements among the students of Kiryat Gat.
// Target Population
Approximately 25 English teachers from elementary schools and middle schools in Kiryat Gat will participate in the professional development program. Approximately 35 teachers will take part in the broader community. In addition, approximately 3,500 students in Kiryat Gat are expected to be impacted by the program.
// Outcomes
In the short term, expected outcomes are to establish an active professional community for English teachers in Kiryat Gat. A framework that includes professional development sessions, peer learning, sharing resources and the integration of digital tools and artificial intelligence into teaching. Teachers are expected to expand their pedagogical toolbox, develop innovative teaching products, participate in a structured training process and strengthen their sense of belonging to the municipal professional community.
In the long term the program will establish a stable and sustainable professional community of English teachers in the city which will contribute to improve the quality of English instruction in schools, strengthen collaboration between educational institutions, create a shared professional language and routinely integrate pedagogical innovation. The program is expected to increase student motivation, improve academic achievements and strengthen English studies as part of Kiryat Gat’s municipal education system.
// Project Timeline
July–August: Develop the learning process and prepare the annual Gantt chart.
September: Recruit and register additional teachers to the community.
October–June: Implement the professional development program and hold community meetings, while integrating community members into the municipal process for promoting excellence.
// Budget Sustainability
If the Partnership is unable to fund the full amount required, the scope of the program will need to be adjusted according to the approved budget framework. The main impact would be a reduction in the number of community and training meetings, fewer enrichment workshops and limited professional support throughout the year. As a result, the pace of implementing innovative tools, particularly technology and artificial intelligence tools in English instruction, might be limited.
Nevertheless, even within a reduced budget framework, the Bridging English framework will strive to preserve the core elements of the program: maintaining an active professional community, strengthening collaboration among teachers, sharing knowledge and addressing the central needs of English instruction in Kiryat Gat.
Should the Partnership be unable to participate in the funding of the program, the municipal authority will take responsibility for operating the community, to ensure continuity and maintain the professional framework that has been established.
// Project establishment status
The project is operating in the Partnership Region.