The history of Kibbutzim College of Education dates back to 1939, when the kibbutz movement founded a college for training preschool and school teachers based on the pedagogical views of the kibbutz movement and the approach of Professor Mendelssohn's Zoological Institute. The first director of the College was Mordechai Segal who developed the concept of "whole education", involving the strong relationship between the education system and the community and the central role of nature – flora and fauna – in the learning process. Even though the academization of teacher training has shifted its focus away from nature studies and whole education, in favor of professional emphases, these are still a part of the identity of the Kibbutzim College of Education.