This is not a scene you will see everywhere: a college professor holding a small child while lecturing to his class. But when students, who are also parents of young children, do not have any other childcare options, then they should not have to choose between watching their children and pursuing an education. That is what a college professor in Jerusalem believes and encourages those with children to bring them along to class if needed.
A mother was embarrassed by her crying child and tried to sneak out.
A mother was attending her college lecture on organizational management at Hebrew University under professor Sydney Engelberg’s class. She had to bring her young child with her that day but when he started to cry and make a fuss she was embarrassed. Not wanting to disturb the other students, she tried to quietly sneak out of the room.
The compassionate professor scooped up the child and carried him while continuing the class.
The professor walked over to the young mother and picked up the child. Without stopping his lecture, he continued to instruct while carrying the little boy around in his arms. Having the continuous motion of professor Engelberg walking back and forth kept the child occupied so that his mother could continue to learn.
Sydney Engelberg is a social psychology professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The 67-year-old is a father of four children and a grandfather of five grandchildren. His evident love for the little ones in his family spills over into his work.
Sydney’s daughter told BuzzFeed News, “My dad just loves kids and loves babies, he has five grandchildren, so he just takes the baby. He’s the one that’s in motion, he’s walking around the class. So he just takes the baby and continues teaching.”
Many of Professor Engelberg’s students are mothers who often do not have another choice but to bring them to class. Sometimes it isn’t ideal for the students, but Sydney is doing his part to help his students and their families. In fact, he encourages them to bring their children along.
Sydney told Yahoo Parenting, “The reason is that education for me is not simply conveying content, but teaching values,” he tells Yahoo Parenting. “How better than by role modeling?”
It’s not uncommon for students in Israel to bring their children to class.
There have been several other professors in Israel who have been praised for lending a helping hand to their students when little ones start to get anxious or unsettled while waiting on their parents in class. Students in Sydney Engelberg’s class are pursuing their master’s degree, so many students are older and many are trying to care for children while working on their education.
“Israel is a very familial society, and it is not at all strange for young mothers to bring children to classes. Babies are often brought to weddings or formal occasions, and during school holidays it is not uncommon to see children running through the halls of office buildings or university departments,” explained the Vice Provost of Hebrew University, Jonathan Kaplan, told Yahoo Parenting.
So here’s to you, Professor Engelberg, for having compassion for your students and for showing the world a glimpse of empathy. Thank you for your example!
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Source: Playfull on Buzzfeed
Source: Facebook | Sarit Fishbaine
Source: Yahoo News
