Professional Development

Reggio Emilia Study Tour:

As a tour leader, together with another REANZ trustee, we took eleven New Zealand and three Australian teachers to Reggio Emilia for a week long study tour in April 2012

My personal teaching philosophy was affirmed and challenged by this experience especially in my role as professional leader on the tour as well as at Browns Bay Preschool.

Creating spaces of wonder, of intellectual engagement and an environment where children try out and develop new skills, are encouraged too question, explore and make assumptions which then need to be verified, and the importance of relationships between all stake holders, confirmed my belief in our philosophy at Browns Bay Preschool.

My biggest challenge from this study tour is how can I support teachers in their quest to engage in in-depth investigations/project (progettazionne) with the children, how to document this journey and share the journey with families so that the children’s learning becomes visible.

My vision is to make it possible for all our teachers to have the opportunity to visit Reggio Emilia and participate in this professional development, in the next few years.

Therese April 2012

Panel Pressentation:

I had the honor of presenting a panel to a group of teachers with Therese, this presentation was held with the help of REANZ.

Therese and I presented on the research project done by Roselyn, Therese and Myself in the Cubs room on the changing of our morning meeting time routine, we talked about the importance of slowing down and not simply hearing the children, but really listening to them.

This research is ongoing in the Cubs room and I hope to continue to present on the work we have been doing. We received very positive feedback from the teachers who attended the presentation, with several teachers thanking us on presenting on this age group (2- 3 1/2).

Meghan Visser