It was wonderful being able to experience the summer conference with our pedagogista, Sarah Cooper. More than once, we tapped each other on the elbow or shared a smile at something stated or referenced during the lectures. Feeling validation for what we do and the decisions we make is a very valuable part of these experiences. The theme of one talk gave me encouragement in our current discussion of the role of the Studio [altelier] and Studio Coordinator [atelierista] as it exists in our school. As I have stated many times, and as we discover each time we engage with members of the larger Reggio community, the Grand Rapids Child Discovery is very different from most other Reggio-inspired schools in the United States. Many educators, upon meeting us, and learning about our school are intrigued and eager to learn more about who we are and how we manage to run a successful K-5 public Reggio-inspired school. When asked this question I always respond with two words - flexibility and innovation. Our status as a stand-alone district allows us the freedom and flexibility to make changes quickly and efficiently based upon the needs of our community, and the willingness and expertise of our staff to respond creatively to challenges and unique situations are the foundational elements of our success. Listening to the perspective and philosophy of the atelier and atelierista further validated our current goal of re-defining this central aspect of the Approach and learning process of our school.
What we heard at NAREA: "...The atelier is for richer and more complete knowledge....for new cultural visions....creative thinking, teamwork, and research are necessary conditions for cultural and economic development - all require CONTEXT for practice and evolution....the atelier and atelierista role grew out of this belief...that ongoing attention to RESEARCH and INNOVATION....a search for CONSTANT INNOVATION...bring the artistic background."
">>>educational philosophy ...where the aesthetic dimension and the search for beauty have been welcomed are important aspects of our species' life, and consequently into our schools and learning...the adult who constructs environment and supports children's research helps to make it more rich and interesting." We need to think in terms of SENSORY PERCEPTION and AESTHETIC VIBRATION as learning activators....
"Children as protagonists of their own learning..."
"The IMPERTINENT ATELIER..as guarantor of knowledge and learning...CULTURAL EXCITEMENT as generative....works and investigations that move and advance of their own processes..."
"...children always without timidity break down divisions between disciplines...this is analogous to brain function....children build knowledge and learn with whole body and all senses with BEAUTIFUL BIOLOGICAL UNITY....this is MYSTERIOUS, and we need to work NOT TO BETRAY."
What we heard at NAREA: "...The atelier is for richer and more complete knowledge....for new cultural visions....creative thinking, teamwork, and research are necessary conditions for cultural and economic development - all require CONTEXT for practice and evolution....the atelier and atelierista role grew out of this belief...that ongoing attention to RESEARCH and INNOVATION....a search for CONSTANT INNOVATION...bring the artistic background." 
">>>educational philosophy ...where the aesthetic dimension and the search for beauty have been welcomed are important aspects of our species' life, and consequently into our schools and learning...the adult who constructs environment and supports children's research helps to make it more rich and interesting." We need to think in terms of SENSORY PERCEPTION and AESTHETIC VIBRATION as learning activators....
"Children as protagonists of their own learning..." 
"The IMPERTINENT ATELIER..as guarantor of knowledge and learning...CULTURAL EXCITEMENT as generative....works and investigations that move and advance of their own processes..."
"...children always without timidity break down divisions between disciplines...this is analogous to brain function....children build knowledge and learn with whole body and all senses with BEAUTIFUL BIOLOGICAL UNITY....this is MYSTERIOUS, and we need to work NOT TO BETRAY."
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