Oמ June 21, 2023, a special ceremony took place at the President's residence in Jerusalem, where, together with the Ministry of Education, Athena Fund presented 16 exceptional workers in special education with a certificate of excellence. After the ceremony, these outstanding women met with Israel's President Yitzhak Herzog and his wife, Michal.

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This is the second time certificates of excellence are rewarded to special education teachers and staff for their important, excellent work.

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The certificate of excellence recipients were selected by a joint professional committee of the Ministry of Education, Athena Fund, and leading women in SPED Academia – Prof. Adina Shamir, Prof. Sigal Eden and Dr. Betty Shreiber. As part of the selection process, 32 nominees were presented to the committee, out of which 16 were chosen from 8 counties all across Israel.

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The winners presented rich professional work in special education. All nominees presented innovative technological, treatment and pedagogical projects they are leading.

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This initiative, spearheaded by Athena Fund is a part of Uri Ben-Ari's vision: "We at Athena Fund are working to empower teachers and are proud to be able to, together with the Ministry of Education, initiate this special appreciation ceremony for outstanding teachers in special education at the President's residence. Our dream is that every year, the President will host in his residence 120 exceptional teachers as a way to say thank you for their role in strengthening this country.

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"Athena Fund sees great importance in such events, that acknowledge and express gratitude to educators, who dedicate their lives to students with disabilities, in order to give them an opportunity to be independent and a part of Israel's society. Today, when the status of teachers continues to decline, we have to give them this feeling of appreciation and acknowledge their labor of love."

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Minister of Education, Yoav Kish: "This ceremony is an opportunity for us to give thanks and appreciate the educational teams in special education, who are an example to us for excellence in persistence and devotion to every student. They are teaching us that there is no limit to human ability and advancement of any person, whoever they may be."

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Minister at the Ministry of Education, Chayim Biton: "Special education teams are the cornerstone of the education system in Israel. People who provide a wide support system, allowing young men and women to grow up and achieve their goals in spite of difficulties they face."

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Chairwoman of the Teachers Union, Yafa Ben-David: "Special education teachers are angels with an incredible soul and belief in children, which allows them to perform miracles, grow, develop, and reach significant goals. Special education teams are so successful, that they are receiving full trust and backing of the parents. This is something that every parent with children in the education system should learn from them."

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"Taking care of these children is a true divine calling for a better future, and the fact that you have been selected to receive this reward of excellence reflects your devotion and sacrifice for these special children."

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The certificates of excellence were given together with Chayim Biton, Minister at the Ministry of Education, Yafa Ben-David, Chairwoman of the Teachers Union, Inna Zalcman, senior VP and Manager of the Pedagogical Division at the Ministry of education and other dignitaries. In addition to the certificate, the winners received an iPad from the Teachers Union and Bank Massad, together with a backpack, wireless mouse and Bluetooth headphones from Mafil Company.