In the ever-evolving landscape of education, adaptability is paramount. Around two years ago, the visionary Sharon Greenberg, head of the Network’s Administration for R&D and Training, unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to the leadership and professional teams of ORT Israel. This visionary endeavor, aptly named “ORT Israel Future Ready,” aimed to metamorphose the ORT Israel network’s schools into institutions that are not merely significant but also agile and exquisitely attuned to the contemporary world.
In the photo: Sharon Greenberg, Head of Administration for R&D and Training, ORT
The journey embarked upon by this visionary program was launched a few weeks later, steered by the able hands of the Institute for Innovation within ORT’s R&D and Training Administration. Under the leadership of Galit Goldberger, this dynamic team diligently crafted a novel role within the school system: the Futurist. This innovative position would serve as the guiding light, ushering the professional teams at ORT Israel’s schools into an exciting realm of ecosystem building, advanced digital learning integration, entrepreneurship infusion, and the practical application of innovation. In essence, these Futurists became the architects of an educational revolution.
In the photo: Galit Goldberger, Head of Innovation Institute, ORT
Sixteen forward-thinking schools were handpicked to embark on this inaugural voyage, and the transformation was nothing short of remarkable. During the program’s first year, participating schools embarked on an exhilarating educational odyssey. They underwent rigorous training, conducted experiments, and translated educational innovation into real-world practice. The pinnacle of their journey was the formulation of innovation programs for the academic year. The fruits of their labor included improved employability, thanks to the integration of international certifications into daily learning (courtesy of Microsoft, IBM, and Google), the cultivation of robust learning skills in an enthusiastic and motivating ecosystem, and the advent of networked learning. The program swiftly bore fruit, enhancing student employability by seamlessly weaving international certifications (courtesy of Microsoft, IBM, and Google) into the daily fabric of learning. Furthermore, it nurtured a culture of enthusiastic and motivating ecosystems, thus enhancing the acquisition of critical learning skills. The seeds of networked learning had been sown.
In the photo: Futurists training in the IBM offices.
In the photo from left to right: Galit Goldberger and Michal Shulman (ORT), Mazi Galor, Marketing and Communication Leader, IBM, Sharon Greenberg (ORT)
Fast forward to the present, and the second cycle of Futurist training beckons under the capable leadership of Michal Shulman, Innovation Manager within the Administration for R&D and training. Ten exceptional educators, carefully selected after rigorous screening, are poised to lead the charge for innovation and pedagogical excellence within the ORT Israel network’s schools. Their collective mission? To transform these schools into bustling innovation hubs, each equipped with the spirit of a startup, and foster knowledge-sharing relationships across the network’s constellation of innovation centers—a true neural network of innovation.
In the photo: Michal Shulman, Innovation Manager, ORT Administration for R&D and Training
The inauguration of the second cohort of the program commenced with a warm welcome from Sharon Greenberg, the visionary behind the program: “The team accompanying you comprises our most accomplished experts, diligently crafting training sessions tailored to your needs. Alongside them, mentors will guide your personal yearly journey. This year, prepare for a captivating expedition, where inspiration flows not just from high-tech giants but from within, as you evolve into innovation leaders.”
Eran Raviv, CEO of Tailor-ED, brought a wealth of experience to the table, sharing insights from a national volunteering project he developed and a groundbreaking campus initiative. He emphasized the pivotal role of technology in enabling “Just in time learning,” a concept seamlessly integrated into everyday education to enhance rather than delay the learning process. His vision? To empower students, regardless of background, to become a new generation of tech entrepreneurs contributing to society.
Galit Goldberger, Head of the Innovation Institute in the ORT network, closed the event with a glimpse into the thrilling yearly work and training plan for the Futurists’. She exuberantly declared, “Today marks a celebration of innovation, a testament to our commitment to navigate the educational landscape, making it not just relevant but also dynamically adaptable to our incredible students. Together, we shall continue to work, learn, grow, innovate, and inspire transformative change in the realm of education.”
The grand opening meeting of the second year of the Future Ready program for the 15 schools within the ORT Israel network that participated in the inaugural cycle recently took place offices of the Open Valley, Caesarea. The event saw the participation of school principals, Futurists, the program team from the Directorate for Research, Development, and Training in the ORT Israel network, and key partners in the drive to foster an ecosystem of educational innovation.
Timura Shiri, VP and Head of the Education and Operations Department, inaugurated the conference, emphasizing the warmth of collaboration within the network and its role in enhancing program effectiveness.
In the photo: Timora Shiri and Sharon Greenberg in the Open Valley offices.
Sharon Greenberg, the visionary leader of the Directorate of Research and Development and Training at ORT, and Galit Goldberg, the Head of the Institute for Innovation, presented the goals for the upcoming year. They announced the adoption of a Kanban-based work plan for the next academic year, a methodology that has gained prominence in the hi-tech world. Kanban, initially rooted in software development, has found its way into innovation management methodologies, providing a foundation for mapping processes before embarking on innovation initiatives. This infrastructure encompasses aspects of marketing, ventures, and new paradigms, steering organizations toward becoming lean, profitable, and agile entities.
To conclude the event, Ariel Fliger, a seasoned VP of Innovation, Product, and Technologies in numerous startups, led a workshop on cultivating organizational climates conducive to innovation and creativity. The workshop delved into strategies for assimilating innovation infrastructures within organizations, fostering creativity among employees with diverse personality styles, and managing innovation projects to mitigate risks while encouraging initiative and resourcefulness.
In a world where innovation is a cornerstone of organizational activity, managers must cultivate new abilities and behaviors to champion creativity and innovation in their teams. Fliger’s workshop equips managers with the tools to spearhead innovation and nurture creative leadership skills within their organizations.