A recent meeting of school principals in the ORT Future Ready program took place at the Daniel Hotel in Herzliya. This innovative program, led by Sharon Greenberg and Galit Goldberger, has injected new energy into ORT’s schools in Israel, aiming to transform them into Future Ready institutions that prepare students for the real constantly changing and advancing world.
This was the first year of the program, 16 selected schools participated in the pilot. The impact has already been noticeable, with improvements in employability through international certifications from Microsoft, IBM, and Google. The program also focuses on enhancing learning skills by creating an enthusiastic and motivational environment and promoting network learning. Each school has designed its unique approach to implementing the program, tailored to its specific needs.
A new position called Futurist was introduced in the schools, supported by the Institute for Innovation which is a part of ORT’s R&D and Training Administration. The Futurists work alongside school principals to build an ecosystem that integrates advanced digital learning, entrepreneurship, and innovation into the learning process.
As the first pilot year came to a closure, a summit day was organized for the principals and Futurists. The goal of the summit was to develop storytelling and presentation skills. The aim was to translate the processes and models developed throughout the year into compelling presentations that would drive progress in the next stages, requiring the involvement of school staff, parents, and students.
The meeting opened with Sharon Greenberg emphasizing the need to embrace new tools and shape a desirable future through education. Examples of AI tools and their impact were presented, highlighting the ongoing revolution.
Dr. Noam Feinholtz, an expert in communications and storytelling, conducted a workshop on storytelling techniques. Participants explored how to engage different audiences, captivate with data, deliver impactful presentations, and ensure their performance serves the message.
The participants left the workshop highly motivated, having learned valuable storytelling principles and connected with their peers from other ORT schools. The meeting was a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the program.
