The Little Warblers
The Little Warblers want to thank you for your support!
The Little Warblers are a new group comprised of students from the Nirim School for Special Education, educational staff and professional birder, Shuki Cheled. The Nirim School is for students with behavioural and emotional challenges. These are often expressed through avoiding situations which require coping with difficulties, primarily in the academic arena. As a result students often leave the classroom and wander in the hallways or on the school grounds. Understanding that these settings can be used to benefit our students, academically as well as socially, the school staff turned a dream into reality by creating inviting alternative learning settings. Thus, students who have difficulty learning in the traditional classroom are able to be active participants in the adaptive environment. They have the opportunities to face challenges and experience a sense of mastery and success – often for the first time.
Birds stir the imagination in every person. Learning about the characteristics of birds can facilitate a deep internal quest, connecting the child to his personal emotional state. This subject allows for learning that can be adapted to each student’s individual needs.
Meet the Team:
Shuki Cheled
Shuki is 70 years young and lives in Kfar Ma’ash. He is an enthusiastic ornithologist and a sworn lover of nature. Shuki has had a significant impact on the students in Nirim who have developed a love and appreciation of nature through their lessons with him. This will be Shuki’s second time participating in the Race and he is certain to be a major asset and will help our group reach its desired goal.
Ofek Lev Yonah
Ofek is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. Ofek lives in Maskiyot, a small community in the northern Jordan Valley. This is his third year in Nirim. He is co-president of the student council. Ofek has an excellent memory and can identify many birds in our region. As a returning participant, he will act as a junior leader guiding the new students.
Avishai Marko
Avishai is 12 years old and in the 6th grade. He lives in Kedar, a small community near Maale Adumim. This is his fourth year in Nirim and he is co-president of the student council. Avishai loves research especially anything to do with birds. He spends much of his free time out in nature and observing his environs. His loves the colors of the birds and watching them in flight. His love of birds has influenced other members of his family to take an interest in it as well.
Gilad Lulu
Gilad is 12 years old and in the 6th grade. He lives on Moshav Vered Yericho at the northern edge of the Dead Sea. He has been in Nirim since the first grade. He excels in sports and loves animals, especially birds. His knowledge is expansive and because of his enthusiasm he has succeeded in making those around him take an interest in the subject.
Kochava Mizrachi
Kochava is 62 years old, mother to one and grandmother to three. She works in the school teaching ornithology and environmental studies. She grew up on a moshava and always felt a deep connection to the land, nature and birds. Over the years her hobby evolved into a profession and she studied horticulture therapy. She has participated in many courses and seminars to expand her knowledge of birds, sharing her love of the subjects with her family, students and community. She is an active member of the environmental protection group in Maale Adumim.
Hannah Beiner
Hannah is 60 years old, married and a mother of four and grandmother to one. She is the occupational therapist in the school as well as a member of the environmental studies staff. She has 2 undergraduate degrees (Occupational Therapy and Liberal Arts) as well as an MS in Occupational Therapy. Hannah blends her therapeutic skills into the nature lessons in order to develop their executive skills functions while doing something they love.
