Acculturation and integration over time: Russian-speaking teachers 30 years after the great immigration to Israel

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined the sense of belonging of Russian-speaking immigrant teachers, who immigrated to Israel in the 1990s from the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The study has two methodological parts. In the first part, 57 Russian-speaking teachers were compared to a national sample of Hebrew-speaking teachers on demographics and self-efficacy. In the second part, 34 of the 57 Russian-speaking teachers answered an acculturation questionnaire and two open-ended questions. The findings, both quantitative and qualitative, indicate positive integration of FSU immigrant teachers in Israel. Their feelings towards the school team and management were no different than those of other teachers. The teachers described a sense of belonging through shared care for students, shared content-related teamwork, friendships and school events. Differences were found in favour of veteran Israeli teachers in the percentage of homeroom teachers and managerial positions. Conclusions about migration and accommodation within the education system are discussed.