Teacher Visits Reggio Emilia School

Twenty years ago, when I taught nursery school in New York City, a colleague called me, excitedly, to tell me about a trip she had taken to Reggio Emilia, Italy. She had visited what were then the relatively unknown schools for young children. I was enthralled by her stories of deep commitment to children, family, and art. As the years passed, and I read more and more about these schools, my interest grew, although, I was quite certain a trip of that magnitude was not mine for the taking.

 I moved to Vermont in 1995, and soon became the preschool teacher in my small town’s public school. Fifteen years later, a dedicated group of early child educators in this tiny central Vermont school district, met to talk about our own classrooms. We realized that each of us was, in one way, or another, incorporating Reggio styles and the philosophy in our teaching. We made a commitment to further our understanding of the pedagogy by reading and discussing a variety of books on the subject, and, with our supervisory union’s blessing, met once a month to learn, together.

 This year, I have worked hard to make what once seemed an impossible dream, a reality by taking my own trip to Italy to visit and learn, directly, from the schools in Reggio Emilia. This weeklong journey will begin in mid-May, and I plan to return to Vermont with a renewed motivation to support my three- and four-year old students through explorations in art, and drama. I want to make strong connections with the families of my students, and to create a classroom environment that is child-centered, beautiful, and provides a calming space for communication, cooperation, and mutual respect.

 My supervisory union will assist by providing some professional development money, and time, but the full cost of the trip is more than what is available to me. I would so appreciate help in the realization of this dream, and the ability for me to support generations of preschool students through this wonderful learning opportunity.