This program was developed in partnership with Chevron, one of the world’s leading energy companies. Through its investment in education and community initiatives, Chevron supports programs that promote innovation, STEM learning, and workforce development. Our partnership is rooted in a shared belief that equipping teachers with engaging STEM-based teaching strategies can help prepare students with the skills and curiosity they need for the future.
When we first began planning “Innovate, Investigate, Communicate: Teaching English Through Science”, our virtual professional development course in collaboration with Chevron, I knew I wanted it to be more than just another teacher training course.
Of course, the professional learning mattered. Together with the TALMA pedagogy, we built a program focused on helping teachers bring STEM topics into English classrooms through experiential project-based learning. But beyond the content itself, I hoped we could create something that teachers don’t always get the chance to experience: a real sense of community.
Over the course of the program, teachers from very different backgrounds across Israel and new immigrants and TALMA fellows from all over the world came together online to learn, share ideas, experiment, and think creatively about teaching English in new ways. We explored everything from inquiry-based science activities to AI tools and engineering challenges, all through the lens of language learning.
But as meaningful as the Zoom sessions were, there was something really special about finally meeting in person during our special training day hosted by Chevron.
As one of the course facilitators, it was incredibly rewarding to watch participants connect outside the boxes of a Zoom screen. Conversations flowed, people shared ideas and classroom experiences, and there was an energy in the room that’s hard to replicate online.
One participant wrote afterward:
“I loved meeting everyone (some people) in person! I could see fragments of people’s personalities on Zoom, but being in person was a whole different experience. I also didn’t realize the diversity within our group and I love it. The common thread between us is a passion for teaching English – yet we all have vastly different backgrounds. How cool!”
That quote has stayed with me because it captures exactly what I felt throughout the day.
What struck me most was the diversity within the group: teachers from different communities, different teaching paths, and different life experiences, all united by the same passion for education and language learning.
The Chevron session reminded me how important it is for teachers to have space not only to learn new strategies, but also to connect with one another as people. Teaching can sometimes feel isolating, especially in challenging times, and there’s something powerful about bringing educators together to collaborate, create, and simply enjoy learning again.
At TALMA, we often talk about empowering teachers, and this course has reminded me that empowerment happens not only through professional development, but through relationships, collaboration, and shared purpose.
I’m incredibly grateful to Chevron for partnering with us on this initiative and helping create such a meaningful experience, and I’m excited to continue building programs that bring educators together in ways that inspire both teachers and students alike.
Meet Leila Kurman, TALMA’s Head of Full-Year Pedagogy & Innovation
Leila Kurman joined the TALMA team full-time in 2021 after participating as a TALMA Summer Fellow in Ashkelon that same year. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Leila made Aliyah in 2022 and has worked at TALMA for nearly five years. Before coming to Israel, she taught elementary school in Baltimore City Public Schools, served as an English Teacher Trainer with the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, and worked as both a teacher and administrator at a bilingual school in Costa Rica.
Since joining TALMA, Leila has held several roles across the organization. In 2026, she became Head of Full-Year Pedagogy & Innovation, leading the Full-Year Fellowship professional development program, supporting teachers, and advancing pedagogical technology initiatives. Leila is passionate about teacher development, language education, and creating meaningful learning experiences for students and educators across Israel.
