Meanwhile Kindergarten: Kindergarten Teachers Facing Educational Challenges in Crisis Situations

This study explores the experiences of kindergarten teachers during the evacuation of children in the 2023 war in Israel, when entire northern communities were forced to leave their homes and educational settings. Using semi-structured interviews with 22 kindergarten teachers, the research examined how educators managed the challenges of teaching and caring for young children under temporary and often unstable conditions. Three primary challenges were identified: the gap between the need to act and the lack of available support; the dual challenge of supporting children’s emotions while regulating their own; and the personal difficulties faced by teachers during the crisis. Analyzing these findings through the lens of resilience theories highlights how kindergarten teachers perceive and fulfill their professional roles in fostering resilience during times of crisis. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of teacher resilience and offers practical recommendations for strengthening professional and systemic support to enhance educators’ stability and effectiveness in emergency contexts.