It�s difficult to teach a class in Israel. There are objective situations such as terrorism, rowdy students, and a government that does not see the importance of allocating the right amount of money to education. Granted, we've learned to manage.
However, on top of all of these objective issues, Israeli teachers face an additional problem.
The heat.
Israel is a hot country, but the students are used to the heat. Many of them live in hot locations or desert areas. They may not even have an air conditioner at home. This is their way of life.
Others come from colder climates. And I, the teacher, come from a climate that is quite cold. I need to have a cooler classroom.
What can be done when there is such a m�lange of needs, students, and temperatures?
It�s a difficult problem. As far as I'm concerned, it may be the greatest issue facing the educational system.
Students don't see this as a problem. They take issues into their own hands. One student will open the window; another student will close the window. One student will turn on the air conditioner; another student will turn off the air conditioner.
No, they will not ask permission. They will not ask each other what they want. They will not discuss it. They will take issues into their own hands and they will reach over and turn on the radiator or turn off the radiator as they see fit.
This of course is likely to cause an uproar in the class, as some students want warmer temperatures and others want colder temperatures.
The problem is not their desires. The problem is that individuals take issues into their own hands and decide to adjust the temperature in their own ways without consulting.
Similar things happen in offices with a number of employees or visitors.
A comparable situation occurs in a bus in which somebody reaches over and opens or closes a window to the consternation of the people who had been sitting close to that window and were satisfied with the way that it was up until that point.
Who is in control of the situation here?
It�s very difficult to say. When everybody tries to be in control of the situation, then nobody is in control.
And you wondered where the politicians get their ideas, or why the country is in such a turmoil?
If people cannot deal with the heat or come to polite, joint decisions about whether to open or close a window, then how are we supposed to deal with greater issues, like the threats from our surrounding enemies?
Is life in Israel becoming more clear now?
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Keywords: Communicate, Control, Decisions,
Heat, Manners, Politics, Teaching
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