When I packed my suitcase in Toronto to spend part of my summer teaching English in Israel with TALMA, I expected to grow as an educator. What I didn’t expect was just how much my students would teach me in return.
My name is Loren and I am from Toronto, Canada. After leaving a career in marketing behind, I am back in school studying to become a primary/junior teacher, finally following my passion for education. For over eight years, I’ve taught children from preschool until grade six in Jewish schools, community programs, and summer camps. This past year when I was planning my summer in Israel, a friend told me about Talma and instantly, I applied. This summer I had the opportunity to teach English in Jerusalem at Pola Ben Gurion and it was one of the most meaningful experiences.
As someone who is Jewish, coming to Israel has always felt special to me. I wanted to spend my summer doing something that combined my love for teaching with my connection to Israel. TALMA gave me the opportunity to do exactly that while making a real difference in students’ lives.
Walking into the classroom on the first day, I wasn’t sure what to expect and was a little nervous. Some of my students were eager and energetic, while others were disappointed to be inside learning English instead of outside at camp with their friends. Many were afraid to make mistakes or admit they didn’t understand. At first, some students replied with only one-word answers, while others simply nodded or smiled. One student even walked in carrying a container of watermelon and immediately offered to share it with everyone in the class. That small act of kindness not only made my co-teacher and I laugh, but instantly reminded me how welcoming and generous Israelis and Jews are, and it helped ease my own nerves. From that moment on, I knew this summer was going to be about much more than teaching English.
I quickly realized that my biggest job wasn’t teaching vocabulary or grammar, it was helping my students believe that they could communicate.
One of my favorite memories happened every morning during our calendar routine. We would sing the “Months of the Year” song together, and without fail, after learning the English names correctly, the same few students would jump up to the front of the room to point to each month as we sang. Before long, I found myself sitting down while they led the class, proudly taking on the role of teacher. They loved being in charge, and I loved watching their confidence grow. It became one of those simple, joyful traditions that perfectly captured the spirit of our classroom – we were learning from one another every single day.
Of course, the summer wasn’t without its funny moments. I made my students believe that I didn’t speak any Hebrew at all, even though I speak a little, so they took great pride in “teaching” me the basics. It became especially funny because they would get so excited and serious about correcting me, as if they were the teachers and I was the student. One of the first words they insisted I learn was shalom, which felt almost too simple, and that made the whole class laugh just before they bombarded me with about 10 more words to learn. We often ended up learning from each other, and those moments reminded me that teaching is never one-sided. Every day, I learned something new about Israeli culture, my students, and even myself.
Teaching in Israel has reinforced something I hope to carry throughout my career: relationships come before learning. Once students know they are in a classroom where it’s okay to make mistakes, they become willing to take risks. Those risks lead to growth. My students taught me to celebrate progress instead of perfection. They reminded me that courage sometimes looks like raising your hand to say a sentence in a language you’re still learning. As teachers, we have the privilege of creating spaces where those moments feel safe.
My summer with TALMA has come to an end, but I’m leaving with so much more than lesson plans and classroom activities. I’m leaving with unforgettable memories, meaningful friendships, and a renewed excitement for my future as an educator.
To my students: thank you for your curiosity, your laughter, and your willingness to try. You reminded me every day why I chose to become a teacher.
Thank you, TALMA, for creating an experience that brought people from around the world together through education. I know I’ll carry this summer with me wherever my teaching journey takes me next.
