The stone lion you see in the picture above is one of a pair that stands in front of an ancient building in the middle of Reggio-Emilia. It is also the reason I connected with the Reggio Approach nearly 20 years ago. I have mentioned it before, but at my first class session, upon returning to college to finish my teaching certificate [after having four childen], my professor shared with us the movie: To Make a Portrait of a Lion. During the viewing of this film, my goal of becoming a teacher was confirmed. It has been many years, and I must admit I do not think about the lions as often as I used to, and had not thought to go looking for them since I arrived. So, imaging my surprise while walking to the conference this morning, when I turned a corner and there, right in front of me was my old friend! I share this story with you because being here in Reggio-Emilia, seeing and experiencing all that I have in just a few days has been so powerful and validating not just for the work we do at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, but also for why I entered education. The lecture this morning centered on the theme of “Continuity”. After a great deal of sharing and discussion, the representatives of Reggio shared with us their work and attempt to achieve continuity not only in education, by providing all children with a quality education and school experience throughout childhood. The schools here have begun to partner with the Italian government to do just that. The infant and toddler centers are still municipally run, but now there are a few grade schools that are run by the state government, but which incorporate the Principles and collaborate with their preschool mentors. The leaders in Reggio-Emilia see this as not only providing a strong foundation of education in their children, but also as a profound investment in supporting and nurturing social and cultural issues, values and duties. The social capital we provide our children today, they will carry with them for the rest of our lives. As I was listening to the description of the grade school initiative I was struck by how relevant and aligned our practice and current considerations are with our Italian colleagues in the area of elementary education. The most important fact all of us need to remember is that the GRCDC has been operating as a Reggio-inspired primary school for 13 years! No one is doing what we are doing. Every Reggio school is unique, but I truly feel we are exceptional. Yes, there is much to do, but we are on the edge of some really wonderful developments, and what I am seeing, hearing and study this week confirms it.
Monday, February 18, 2013
The stone lion you see in the picture above is one of a pair that stands in front of an ancient building in the middle of Reggio-Emilia. It is also the reason I connected with the Reggio Approach nearly 20 years ago. I have mentioned it before, but at my first class session, upon returning to college to finish my teaching certificate [after having four childen], my professor shared with us the movie: To Make a Portrait of a Lion. During the viewing of this film, my goal of becoming a teacher was confirmed. It has been many years, and I must admit I do not think about the lions as often as I used to, and had not thought to go looking for them since I arrived. So, imaging my surprise while walking to the conference this morning, when I turned a corner and there, right in front of me was my old friend! I share this story with you because being here in Reggio-Emilia, seeing and experiencing all that I have in just a few days has been so powerful and validating not just for the work we do at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, but also for why I entered education. The lecture this morning centered on the theme of “Continuity”. After a great deal of sharing and discussion, the representatives of Reggio shared with us their work and attempt to achieve continuity not only in education, by providing all children with a quality education and school experience throughout childhood. The schools here have begun to partner with the Italian government to do just that. The infant and toddler centers are still municipally run, but now there are a few grade schools that are run by the state government, but which incorporate the Principles and collaborate with their preschool mentors. The leaders in Reggio-Emilia see this as not only providing a strong foundation of education in their children, but also as a profound investment in supporting and nurturing social and cultural issues, values and duties. The social capital we provide our children today, they will carry with them for the rest of our lives. As I was listening to the description of the grade school initiative I was struck by how relevant and aligned our practice and current considerations are with our Italian colleagues in the area of elementary education. The most important fact all of us need to remember is that the GRCDC has been operating as a Reggio-inspired primary school for 13 years! No one is doing what we are doing. Every Reggio school is unique, but I truly feel we are exceptional. Yes, there is much to do, but we are on the edge of some really wonderful developments, and what I am seeing, hearing and study this week confirms it.
No comments:
Post a Comment