Rachel — Teacher with academic responsibility

How it started

Rachel finished a B.Ed in special education at the Open University (average 75 — not enough for a placement at a good Jerusalem school). First year post-degree — substitute teaching at risk of being dropped after 6 months.

ENP Teaching Fellowship — a turning point

She enrolled in the fellowship in October. Placed at a school with 25% community students, a veteran mentor (15 years in the field), and a living grant of ₪3,500/month on top of regular starting salary. That year changed everything.

What followed

After 3 years at the first school — she was offered a "Head of Special Education" role (~25% administrative role). Combining teaching with an academic role gave her broad experience.

Where she is today

Teacher + department head at the same school. Salary ~₪16K gross (including the admin supplement). Active in the ENP alumni network and mentors new fellows.

Recommendation

> "The first placement after B.Ed is critical. If it's not good — you're swimming upstream. ENP Fellowship gives you a good placement + guidance. It's a worthwhile investment."

Programs used

Stories are composite portraits based on aggregated reporting from partner organizations. Names and identifiers have been changed for privacy. · 2026-05-01