Since I last posted I have established 3 professional contacts. They agreed to work with me and answer questions, however I have yet to hear back from them after are initial e-mail. So with that being said, I am on to the podcasts.
I went to World Forum Radio and clicked on the most resent podcast which was dated 2/10/11. I am glad that I clicked on it because I was immediately hooked. Susan Lyon, the speaker of this particular podcast, got her start in the education world while working with children with special needs. She told a story of working with a little boy who was trying to read the word "city" and once she told him what it was he said "such a small word for such a big place." This was her "ah-ha" moment, she was able to see the window to children's mind and wanted to learn more about how they see/understand the world. She became interested in the Reggio Emilia approach, as she thought it was progressives. She was so inspired that she started the Innovated Teacher Project (http://www.innovativeteacherproject.org/) in San Francisco. She wanted to see quality work happen in the public sector. The Reggio Emilia Approach was the foundation of pilot project for the San Francisco Unified School District. There was a focus on the Reggio approach as well as professional development and teacher research. Teachers spent time observing and listening to children and documenting their work. It was not just teacher collaboration but community collaboration that made it such a success.
I enjoy finding out new organization that have found success in what they have sought out to do. It is uplifting to see that our thoughts and ideas can happen.
www.innovativeteacherproject.org
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