Prof. Orit Avidov-Ungar, Israeli educator, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Leadership at Achva Academic College. Member of Israel’s National Education Committee.
Prof. Avidov-Ungar’s academic research revolves around two main areas: professional development as a personalized process of continuing professional learning among teachers and educators. The research emphasizes the understanding of the motives for the professional development of teachers and officials as well as of Professional Learning Communities. In addition, Prof. Avidov-Ungar leads research on processes of change in organizations, with an emphasis on the difficulties and opportunities in assimilating innovative technologies in education systems. The research areas touch upon several circles of influence in education “along the continuum”. Her research relates to several different functionaries – student-teachers, teachers, teacher-educators, supervisors and policymakers and to both – schoolteachers and teacher educators in academic institutions involved in teacher training.
Her research has been published on international platforms. Avidov-Ungar leads education systems in academia and the education system in Israel, and is involved in preparing policy papers for reforms led by the Ministry of Education, such as “Courage to Change”, “New Horizon”, Academy-Classroom and ICT reform. She writes curricula and academic programs and is an expert in combining research-based academic knowledge with her practical knowledge and in-depth familiarity with all stages of the education system, from kindergartens and schools to academia.
Prof. Avidov-Ungar leads changes in the arena of professional development and continuous learning of active teachers and in the training of preservice teachers in the direction of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership, in both the Hebrew-speaking and Arabic-speaking sectors.
In her capacity as Dean of the Faculty of Education and Leadership, she has been a member of the Supreme Academic Council of Achva Academic College and a member of the Forum of Presidents of Colleges of Education in Israel since 2020.
Educational and professional worldview
Prof. Avidov-Ungar integrates in her roles the worlds of learning technologies, leading change and pedagogical innovation, training and professional development of principals, functionaries, teachers and teacher educators, and senior academic and professional management.
She believes in leadership, entrepreneurship, professionalism, empowerment and innovation. In Prof. Avidםv-Ungar’s view, leadership and management should be anchored in building trust and partnerships with stakeholders within and outside the system. In her view, continuous improvement of the education and learning systems must be constantly pursued, while adopting flexibility of thought to maximize the potential of learners and reduce gaps and provide opportunities as leading values in education. Education systems must adopt the approach of personalization in the ongoing learning of teachers as a practical and applied process for empowering the teacher and establishing the professional status of teaching as a profession.
Prof. Avidov-Ungar’s main contribution in these fields is her strong leadership in the academic roles she fulfills in Israel’s higher education system as a member of the National Education Committee, her involvement in the various education committees, in the public positions she has fulfilled, and in her involvement in the education system as an educator, researcher and partner in schoolwork as a consultant or colleague, as well as in empowering students and educators at all levels.