NGO PATHWAYS Institute for Negotiation Education, implemented an intensive, four-day negotiation skills workshop for 23 Jewish and Arab English Language educators, at the Alon Tavor Field School, August 8-11, 2016. The program was supported and funded by the U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv. The goal of the workshop was to build an understanding of negotiation practices and to learn how these skills can be applied in the classroom, school and community – resulting in improved attitudes, promoting non-violent discourse, and acquiring life skills for problem solving and improved English language proficiency. After early morning yoga sessions to help “connect body and mind,” the participants explored modules of negotiation which included theory, practice and simulations. New techniques of studying American literature through the core concepts of negotiation such as negotiating positions, interests, options and legitimacy were discussed. The sessions were led by Sheila Heen, lecturer at Harvard Law School, PATHWAYS professional facilitators, U.S. Embassy officials, and Israeli educators. As a result of the workshop, graduating teachers will be able to better mentor and serve in leadership roles in their respective schools; and this new ‘community of teachers’ will support other educators, by creating lesson plans based on these core principles. The Ministry of Education awarded the participants with professional development credits for participation in the workshop.
