Short Biography
Ms. Miki Ophir is currently a graduate student at the Faculty of Education, Science and Technology at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. She graduated from Haifa University in 2014 with an M.A. in Development of Education Systems at the Faculty of Education and from Tel-Aviv University in 2001 with an M.Sc. degree in Endurance Physiology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine. Miki is the Head of the Excellence Program at the Wingate Academic College and Pedagogical Coordinator at the Department of Physical Education at Givat Washington Academic College of Education. Her research focuses on teacher leadership and identity in professional learning communities of biology teachers.
Email: Michal.ophir@campus.technion.ac.il
Publications
Theses
Ophir, M. (In progress). Meaningful learning experiences among participants in a professional learning community through the lens of leadership and vision. Ph.D. thesis in science education. Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Supervision: Tsybulsky, D.
Ophir, M. (2022). Meaningful learning experiences among participants in the leading community and their contribution to shaping the perception of the leading role and the vision of the individual community. Exploratory research in science education. Technion, Israel. Supervision: Tsybulsky, D. [In Hebrew]. PPT. PDF.
Refereed papers in professional journals
- Zach, S., & Ophir, M. (2020). Using simulation to develop divergent and reflective thinking in teacher education. Sustainability, 12, 2879. DOI:10.3390/su12072879.
- Zach, S., Zeev, A., Ophir, M., & Eilat-Adar, S. (2021). Physical activity, resilience, emotions, moods, and weight control of older adults during the COVID-19 global crisis. European Review of Aging & Physical Activity, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-021-00258-w.
- Zach, S., Fernandez-Rio, J., Zeev, A., Ophir, M., & Eilat-Adar, S. (2021). Physical activity, resilience, emotions, moods, and weight control, during the COVID-19 global crisis. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research.
Chapters in books
- Avugos, S., Zach, S., Hason, S., & Ophir., M. (2024). Expectations and satisfaction of the most promising student teachers in physical education. In O. Walter., P. Fitzsimmons., J. Kasler & S. Routray (Eds.), Breaking the silos: Exploring the multiple perspectives (pp. 81-96). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-5049-8
Contributed talks and posters
Ophir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. PLC facilitators’ experiences and their contribution to how their role is perceived. The Eighth International Conference on Teacher Education Passion and Professionalism in Teacher Education. Tel Aviv, Israel, June 2023. Oral presentation. PPT. Abstract.
Ophir, M,. & Zach, S. Physical education teachers as homeroom teachers: Professional identity, perceptions, and implementations. AIESEP – Past meet the future. Jyvascyla, Finland, May 2024. Oral Presentation.
Ophir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. Lead for Learning: Designing Pedagogical Goals in a Biology Facilitators’ PLC and Their Contribution to Meaningful Learning Experiences and Leadership Expertise as Practice. ESERA2025 conference. Copenhagen, August 2025. Oral presentation.
Ophir, M. & Tsybulsky, D. The Development of Facilitation Expertise in Professional Learning Community from Leadership Perspective in a Community of Biology Teachers-Facilitators. ICER2025 conference. Acre, September 2025. Oral presentation.
Participation in Organizing Professional Conferences – In Israel
2022 – Organizing the Conference for Biology Teachers’ Professional Learning Communities at the Technion.