I often share with teachers any challenges the child is facing outside the classroom, in his/her social circle or within the family environment. I generally ask teachers to share with me if they notice any change in behavior or mood, and any tips they think I could apply at home for better communication and encouragement for the child. In general, my best strategy for handling anything that comes up is making sure to be in almost constant contact with almost all the teachers (homeroom teacher and special subject teachers) who teach all four of my children.
As I said – hanging around the school a lot as a volunteer offers me the perk of being able to be in touch with the teachers more easily. When I find myself hanging out at school less, I utilize email to maintain a continuous connection with teachers.
Through these methods I find our children are really thriving. We have managed to enhance their positive attitudes toward school and learning, and they are all excelling beyond our expectations and their teachers’ expectations
V: How do you see the future for your children? Are you glad your parents made Aliyah? Do you ever think about moving back with your kids?
Dina: I am very happy my parents made Aliyah! I am the person I have become thanks to their upbringing, and thanks to the change they made. I sometimes wonder if the conviction I feel to live the life I am living would have come through on its own, and whether as an adult I would have made the same choice on my own. I have sometimes wished I had had the opportunity to prove that to myself. But I have never ever considered moving anywhere else.
I very strongly feel that our existence is of utmost value here. And if there are things I feel need to be improved – I feel most empowered to affect the necessary changes in my surrounding right here! And I feel any affect I can have here is not only for the personal benefit of my family or immediate community, but also part of history and continually building our national homeland as a whole.
I wish my children to grow into the same sense of community and national connection and responsibility, each using their talents and inclinations to add their imprint on the revival of our nation in its homeland, in whichever particular environment will bring out their personal strengths.
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