A school needs to be a place for all children, not based on the idea that they’re all the same, but that they’re all different.

- Loris Malaguzzi, Founder of the Reggio Emilia approach

The History

The Reggio Emilia approach began in the 1940s when a community located in the town of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, along with schoolteacher Loris Malaguzzi, began building a preschool for their children. Following the destruction of their area during World War II, the community came together to build their schools with the desire to raise a new generation of citizens committed to justice and equality. And it was a true community effort. A local farmer donated land for the structure, and townspeople – men and women – donated their time and labor to build the school using materials from the ruins of their village. This idea of coming together as a community for the sake of the children is at the very core of the Reggio Emilia approach today.

… these same people, without a  penny to their names, with no technical offices, building permits, site directors, inspectors from the Ministry of Education or the Party, could actually build a school with their own strength, brick by brick …

- Loris Malaguzzi

The Fundamentals

Schools that follow the Reggio Emilia philosophy of education build their programs on the following principles:

• An emergent eurriculum that builds upon the interests of children
• In-depth projects that are long term and built upon the concepts, ideas, and interests of the group
• Representation in multiple forms (print, art, construction, drama, music, puppetry, and shadow play) as tools for development
• Collaboration among home, school and community
• Teacher as learner, researcher, resource and guide
• Documentation of children’s work into portfolios
• An environment that plays a crucial role as the third teacher

A key tenet of the Reggio Emilia approach is that art helps children express their thoughts. Reggio classrooms are packed with a profusion of innovative materials for the children to work with, such as pebbles, dried orange peel, driftwood, tangles of wire and tin cans. “The environment as the third teacher” is a favorite Reggio phrase.

- excerpt from The Garlanded Classroom in The New York Times

The Reggio Emilia Approach in San Diego

If you are searching for a preschool program in the San Diego area that follows the Reggio Emilia approach, you might quickly become overwhelmed by the plethora of preschools that San Diego offers; Greatschools.net lists 667 programs! The San Diego Reggio Roundtable, a group of early childhood educators and parents who promote the Reggio philosophy, comes to the rescue with the following alphabetical list of schools and centers that appear on their website.

Aspirations School of Learning
6286 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92009
(760) 603-9173
http://www.aspiringchild.com/

College Park Preschool
5075 B Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92115
(619) 582-2520
http://www.collegeparkpreschool.org/

Cuyamaca College Child Development Center
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92019
(619) 660-4660
http://www.cuyamaca.edu/cdc/

Grossmont College Child Development Center
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA  92020
(619) 644-7000
http://www.grossmont.edu/childdevelopment/center.asp

Hanna Fenichel Center
336 N Acacia Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075-1108
(858) 755-0860
http://www.hannafenichel.com/

La Jolla United Methodist Church Nursery School
6063 La Jolla Blvd
La Jolla, CA 92037-6799
(858) 454-1418
http://www.ljumcns.com/

The Little School
9614 Pebble Beach Drive
Santee, CA 92071
(619) 449-7162
http://www.onelittleschool.com/

Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church Preschool
17010 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92128
(858) 487-0824
http://www.rbcpcpreschool.net/

Southwestern College Child Development Center
900 Otay Lakes Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 216-6695
http://www.swccd.edu/4thLevel/index.asp?L3=298

Do you know of additional preschool programs in the San Diego area that either follow or are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood? If you do, please share in the comments section below!

Learn more

An Argument for Preschool
from Newsweek

A School Must Rest on the Idea that All Children are Different
from Newsweek

The Garlanded Classroom
from The New York Times

Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf
from An Educated Choice

Reggio Emilia Approach
from Wikipedia

The Reggio Approach and Creative Learning Environments
from Understanding the Reggio Approach via www.alcassociates.co.uk

San Diego Reggio Roundtable

Photos from Aspirations School of Learning website at www.aspiringchild.com.

• 

  The Montessori School of San Diego

  Montessori schools are based upon the work of Italian educator Dr. Maria Montessori in 1907. The underlying philosophy of these schools is that children are individual learners and teachers are facilitators or guides. Students work at their own pace in classrooms that are organized around hands-on, self-directed, developmentally tailored projects and toys. Classrooms are often multi-age and can span two- or three-year age ranges. Montessori programs strive to develop self-motivated, curious, and self-disciplined children.

• Reggio Emilia programs are based upon the preschools developed by Loris Malaguzzi and the people of Reggio Emilia, Italy in the 1940s. Their emergent curriculum reflects the interests of their students and learning is a collaboration between teachers and students. Teachers document their students’ learning and play through pictures and words. Reggio Emilia programs emphasize creativity and artistic pursuits, and they consider the educational environment as the “third teacher,” playing a crucial role in the education of their students.

• Waldorf schools, also called Steiner schools, were founded in 1919 by Austrian educator Rudolf Steiner. Their pedagogy is based upon Steiner’s educational philosophy  and teachings, which follow a developmental model of education, and on anthroposophy, a sprititual philosophy founded by Steiner. Waldorf schools emphasize creative learning with the goal of developing the child whole child – academically, emotionally and physically. School days follow a dependable routine within a home-like atmosphere with play materials made of natural substances. Television and computers are strongly discouraged for younger children. Teachers often remain with a group of students for several years, creating a strong bond between teacher and child.

For a more in-depth look at these three approaches, Carolyn Pope Edwards at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln has written an article for Early Childhood Research and Practice titled, “Three Approaches from Europe: Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia.”

Thanks to Private School News by Robert Kennedy on About.com for the pointer to this article.

When going through the process of selecting a private school, you’re looking for the stated benefits of the schools in which you are interested. You’ve gone over websites with a fine-toothed comb, you’ve received materials in the mail, and you’ve even taken time off of work to attend Open Houses and other get-to-know-you type of events. And based upon what you’ve seen and heard so far, the schools all seem perfect. But what source – or sources – will give credibility to what you’re seeing and hearing? What’s the school REALLY like?

One way to find out what current and former families think about a school is to just ask them. Perhaps you know someone – a neighbor, friend, co-worker – who has had a child attend the school that you’re interested in. Ask them what they thought about the school overall and what they thought specifically about the program and people. You can also ask admission directors for references from current parents who you can call to find out more about the school.

If you’re reading this blog, however, my guess is that you are looking for online sources for information and reviews on private schools. While there are fewer San Diego-specific school review web sites than you might find in cities such as New York City or San Francisco, below is a list of sites with up-to-date information that you can use.

• Great Schools
  http://www.greatschools.net/
• Nickelodeon Parents Connect
  http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/category/san-diego-ca-usa/resources/schools
• Private School Review
  http://www.privateschoolreview.com/
• The Savvy Source
  http://www.savvysource.com/
• Trulia
  http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/San_Diego-California/schools/
• Yelp
  http://www.yelp.com/

Additional online resources that have more specific information include:

• The Baby Bond, Favorite Schools of Attachment & Natural Parenting Families
  http://thebabybond.com/San%20Diego%20Private%20Schools.html
• San Diego Magazine, Great Schools, July 2006
  http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/media/San-Diego-Magazine/July-2006/Great-Schools/

Do you have any additional web sites that you use to find out information on San Diego private schools? If so, please list them in the comments. I’d love to hear about them!

Update: Another resource you might try is EducationBug.

How do schools decide who to admit in the first place?
Many factors go into determining whether or not a child will be offered admission to a school. Additionally, many factors go into creating an entering class of students. A school’s highest priority is to admit students who have the greatest chance at success in their educational environment and who will contribute the most to their school’s community. They also take into account the make-up of the class and will want to strike a balance between criteria that might include gender, birth date, geographic location, and more. Ultimately, the decision to admit – or not admit – a student takes into account individual characteristics as well as potential group dynamics.

Is being placed on a waitlist just a polite way for a school to deny admission?
If a school feels strongly that a child will not succeed in their environment, most admissions directors will not offer admission to the student. However, if the admissions director believes that the child could be successful but wasn’t admitted for another reason, perhaps a group factor as described above, the child could very well be placed on a waitlist. Then, if a space becomes available at some point in the future, a student from the waitlist will be offered admission.

If the school believes that my child could fit in well at their school, why was my child placed on the waitlist rather than someone else?
Many factors go into admitting students to private schools. For example, let’s say that two students – a boy and a girl – are both seen as potentially successful students at a given school, but the entering class has an overabundance of girls. If all other factors are equal, the school is more likely to admit the boy to better balance the class.

Is there anything I can do to improve my child’s chances of getting off of the waitlist and into the school?
If you receive a letter telling you that your child has been placed on a waitlist, you can call the school’s admissions office to affirm your commitment to enroll if your child is ultimately admitted. You may also ask how many children are currently on the waitlist and the likelihood that your child is in a position to move off of the list. If a spot does open up, the school will be more likely to offer admission to a family that is a “sure thing” over a family who might not commit. Be mindful, however, that there is a fine line between letting the school know that you remain interested and stalking the admissions office. One phone call should be sufficient.

What if my child doesn’t make it off of the waitlist but the school is still our first choice? Is there anything we can do to improve our chances in the future?
If you know for certain that your child will not be attending a school for the upcoming year, either because you did not make it off of the waitlist or you received a rejection letter, you really have nothing to lose by contacting the admissions officer and politely asking for feedback. Some admissions officers will even go as far as offering advice on how you might improve your child’s chances for admission in the future. For example, if the admissions officer thought there were issues of academic deficiencies, perhaps your child can spend the upcoming year building up the skills that are required to be successful at the school.

Learn more

Find out what parents outside of San Diego have to say about their experiences with waitlists on the following blogs and discussion forums:

AdmissionsQuest: Waitlisted at a Private School?
http://www.admissionsquest.com/~Resources/ShowArticle.cfm/ArticleID/90/ArticleTypeID/5/Topic/waitlisted-at-a-private-school

NYC Private Schools Blog: Waitlists for Private Schools; You’re Not Alone
http://nycprivateschoolsblog.com/education/waitlists-for-private-schools-youre-not-alone/03/03/2009/

Private School Review: Waitlisted? What next?
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/articles/66

The SF K Files: Private school wait lists
http://thesfkfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/hot-topic-private-school-wait-lists.html

It’s the journey and not the destination, I keep reminding myself.  This statement rang true for a group of my parents recently when we enjoyed a discussion about the benefits of a junior kindergarten program versus a kindergarten program for their children. In consideration of this, many thoughts come to mind and as always, I let parents know upfront that ultimately, I cannot make that decision for them. They must consider many factors when deciding which program best meets their child’s needs socially, emotionally and cognitively.  For some parents this is a tough decision.

Junior kindergarten and kindergarten aside, looking at early childhood settings can seem to be a daunting task. As parents, you begin your search early, often when you are expecting your first child. You spend hours touring schools, asking what you hope are all the right questions, looking at classroom after classroom, considering curriculum, backgrounds of the staff, schedules, etc. I think you know the drill.

But as parents you should be doing this. Investing in your child’s first educational experience is a big responsibility and requires thought, consideration and commitment, and this investment should also include thoughts on tuition, student-to-teacher ratios, and of course, location.

Here is a list of questions you might reflect on as you are searching for the right spot for your child:

• Is there an evidence of calm when you enter the school?
• Do staff and administration seem genuinely happy to be there?
• Are they attentive to your needs as a potential parent?
• Was your tour informative and thorough? Were your questions appropriately answered?
• Does the environment – both office area and classrooms – appear clean and well maintained?
• Are teachers joyfully engaged and focused on their children?
• Does there appear to be a rhythm and nice hum to the classroom while children are working? Do children appear happy, confident, and comfortable?
• What does the classroom environment look like? Is it warm and inviting? Is the environment set up to encourage collaboration among students? Would it create curiosity in your child? Could you envision your child there?
• Does the approach being used at the school and the development of curriculum jive with your thoughts of what young children should be exposed to? Does the general feel of the school and the approach used touch your heart, make sense to you and, is it a good fit for your child?
• Are the staff well cared for, provided with opportunities for professional growth, enjoy a positive mutually respectful working relationship with their director and administration, well educated and trained, genuinely happy to be there?
• Are parents welcomed and encouraged to be a member of the school community, to participate in classrooms, to visit for lunch, to talk with teachers or administration regarding concerns?
• Are academic areas developmentally appropriate for children? Is it equal parts challenging and intellectually stimulating, and is it just plain fun?

This phase of a child’s life is fleeting and it is the point at which you begin to look more deeply at how to help create a solid foundation for life-long learning. For many children these days, this includes an experience in an early childhood center. Like most foundations, whether it be a home or a relationship, you want to make certain that its foundation is solid and surrounded by love, security, opportunities to grow and change, and that your child (in this instance) is encouraged and able to help develop and construct his/her own knowledge. In essence, children learn by doing and should enjoy doing so.

Enjoy the experience, educate yourself in the process, and listen to your heart. In keeping all of the above in mind, you will know when you find the right school for your child for a number of reasons, but mostly because it will just feel right to you.

How do you evaluate preschools and gauge the quality of the programs? A good place to start is by searching for schools that meet standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Look for programs that follow these four guidelines.

1. Preschools should focus on children.
   • What type of opportunities does the school provide for children to interact with other children and adults so that they can build healthy relationships?
   • How does the curriculum include a variety of activities that are developmentally appropriate the children’s ages and needs?
2. Preschools should have qualified staff.
   • What degrees and training do the faculty and staff have?
   • How long have the teachers and staff been with the program?
   • What is the child-to-teacher ratio for each class or age group?
3. Preschools should build relationships with families.
   • How are information and concerns communicated between staff and families?
   • What are the school’s policies for families visiting their child during the school day?
4. Preschools should be well-run.
   • Is the program licensed by the state?
   • Is the program accredited – for example, by NAEYC?
   • How does the school ensure that the facilities are age-appropriate and maintained?
   • What are their policies and practices to help keep children safe from preventable illness and injury?

The school has created a rich and well-rounded academic program that helps children develop a love for learning and prepares them for future success. In addition, the school is deeply committed to helping students grow as individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it.

The Community

While these traits are in line with what one might expect from any excellent private school, one factor that sets Gillispie apart is its extremely strong community. The school has created a nurturing environment that feels welcoming and even intimate, which is helped by the fact that they keep class sizes – and corresponding student:teacher ratios – small. Faculty quickly get to know children’s strengths and challenges so that they can teach in a way that encourages children to continually grow and learn. This feeling of community is a huge draw for families who are concerned about overcrowding and a “one size fits all” mentality found in many public schools today.

I have been fortunate to spend time at The Gillispie School getting to know their program and their people. From the moment I step through the front doors of the school, I am impressed by the friendly, calm, and professional atmosphere that I encounter. And when meeting Alison Fleming, the head of school, and Steve Bunyak, assistant head of school, their warm smiles and kind words are guaranteed to make anyone feel comfortable.

The Campus

The campus is impressive in features and structure if not in acreage. Since the school is located in the heart of La Jolla Village, they do not have the benefit of acres of grassy playing fields. However, they have made extremely good use of the land that they do have with two playgrounds, a gymnasium (with a rock-climbing wall!), a science lab, a library and a fine arts center as well as well-equipped and modern classrooms. They recently revamped their early childhood outdoor area and it includes a wall mural painted by a teacher. A major benefit of their location is that students are walking distance from area facilities and resources within the community.

The Future

While the school honors its past, it definitely teaches to the future. The technology program at The Gillispie School is state-of-the-art with a one-to-one laptop program for every teacher and students in third through sixth grades, and a laptop cart for younger grades. The school is a Lighthouse School partner with Apple Computers, and they won a Leading Edge Award from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) for technology.

Because The Gillispie School provides education only through sixth grade, many families wonder what the next step will be for their children. According to the school’s website,

We believe that learning is a journey. Our early childhood and elementary programs are designed to guide our students’ academic, creative, and social growth. We strive to develop resiliency in our students so that they are prepared for whatever paths they may choose.

The school seems to be quite successful in achieving this goal. Students who graduate from The Gillispie School are prepared to succeed at the area’s most competitive private and public middle schools.

If your family is looking for a rich and rewarding academic environment that is balanced by a nurturing school community, I encourage you to visit The Gillispie School. Your children will thank you.

Learn more

Website
http://www.gillispie.org

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=the+gillispie+school&init=quick#/pages/La-Jolla/The-Gillispie-School/243119163463

Contact
The Gillispie School
7380 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA, 92037
Phone: (858) 459-3773

We work in an environment of academic excellence to help students develop as caring, compassionate, ethical individuals, aware of their responsibilities to local and global society. To accomplish our mission, we seek students who are able and ready to perform in a college preparatory environment, and to take on the leadership roles necessary to build a better society.

A Video Introduction to The Grauer School

A Visit to The Grauer School

I had the good fortune to visit The Grauer School recently. While I had heard of the school, and I know several families with children who attend Grauer, this was my first visit to the campus. Elizabeth Braymen, director of admissions, gave me a tour and shared the vision and philosophy of the school. Her passion for the school extends beyond her role as an administrator since she is also the parent of a Grauer student.

The campus is located just north of the San Diego city limits in Encinitas, not far from the ocean, and encompasses five acres. The buildings provide 20,000 square feet of indoor space and are a combination of newer structures and portable buildings, with an eye toward replacing the portables at some point in the future. The main building contains a great hall where they hold community meetings and events. Anchoring this structure is a beautiful stone fireplace, hailed as the largest stone fireplace in San Diego. In the classrooms, teachers have designed comfortable spaces that are conducive to learning and discussion.

The class sizes vary based upon grade level and subject, but the school is committed to remaining a small school with a maximum capacity of 150 students. One benefit of their small size is that they can take advantage of opportunities that might prove too cumbersome for larger organizations. For example, I met teachers and high-schoolers who had just returned from the World Religions Conference in Australia, a perfect tie-in to their study of world religions.

The breadth of academic, arts and extracurricular offerings at The Grauer School might seem a bit surprising given their small size, but it goes hand-in-hand with their commitment to develop well-rounded students. They design their curriculum to prepare students for college, and as such the curriculum complies with the University of California course requirements for admission into the California State system. In addition, the California State Frameworks are integrated into their courses and the school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

Music at The Grauer School

Technology use was apparent all around campus. In addition to computer labs, students may also bring their own laptops to school. There was a mix of Macs and Windows machines, and a range from higher-end laptops to netbooks.

The atmosphere on campus is definitely one of a close-knit community where everyone knows everyone else, from teachers to students to parents. As we toured, Elizabeth had a warm welcome or word of encouragement for everyone we encountered. After completing my tour I met Stuart Grauer, the director and founder of The Grauer School. His commitment to and passion for education is evident everywhere you turn on campus.

Of course many parents are concerned – and rightly so – with the bottom line. How will attending The Grauer School help their child? I will say that I was impressed with the school’s commitment to admit students who are, in fact, a good fit for the environment rather than filling seats with any and all who apply. They truly look for students who will thrive and succeed at the school.

As students near graduation, Grauer works with them and their families to identify college choices that will be good matches and that will value their strengths. The system seems to work because 100% of all 2008 graduates were admitted to colleges of their choice, and the students gained acceptances from 82% of all colleges to which they applied. Apparently the colleges value the education that The Grauer School is providing. The average college scholarship offer made to seniors at The Grauer School this year was an impressive $30,000.

If you are looking for a middle or high school for your child that has an intimate learning atmosphere, emphasizes academics and college prep, and develops individuals who are concerned about their world and their place in it, I encourage you to visit The Grauer School and learn more about what they offer. Their website has a lot of great information including videos that provide a glimpse of what life is like at the school, and they are very active on Facebook and Twitter.

Learn More

Open House
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:30am to 2:00pm
Tours leaving every 20 minutes

Website
http://www.grauerschool.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Encinitas-CA/The-Grauer-School/103908979661

Twitter
http://twitter.com/GrauerSchool

Contact
The Grauer School
1500 El Camino Real, Encinitas, CA 92024
(760) 944-6777
(760) 944-6784 fax
info@grauerschool.com

In simplest terms, Waldorf schools (also called Steiner schools) were founded in 1919 by Austrian educator Rudolf Steiner. The underlying philosophy at a Waldorf school is the development of the whole child. The schools emphasize creative learning with the goal of developing the child academically, emotionally and physically. School days follow a dependable routine within a home-like atmosphere with play materials made of natural substances. Television and computers are strongly discouraged for younger children. Teachers often remain with a group of students for several years, creating a strong bond between teacher and child.

There are many resources available to help you better understand Waldorf education. We’ve compiled some of those resources below and provide you with a list of Waldorf schools in San Diego, relevant books, and a few current websites. Remember that this is only a sampling of the information that is out there, but it should get you started.

SAN DIEGO AREA WALDORF SCHOOLS

• Sanderling Waldorf School
  1578 El Camino Real
  Encinitis, CA 92024
  Phone: 760-635-3747
  Fax: 760-635-1037
  Website: www.sanderlingschool.orgEmail: info@sanderlingschool.org

• Waldorf School of San Diego
  3547 Altadena Avenue
  San Diego, CA 92105
  Phone: 619-280-8016
  Fax: 619-280-8071
  Website: www.waldorfschoolofsandiego.org
  Email: office@waldorfsandiego.org

BOOKS

	Introduction to Steiner Education: The Waldorf School by Francis Edmunds Rudolf Steiner’s educational system—long established and respected on the European continent—is gradually spreading around the world. Its radical principles, based on a view of the human being as composed of body, soul, and spirit, allows for a truly holistic and balanced education that nourishes the whole child. The author explains, in a clear and lively style, many aspects of Steiner’s educational theories, especially the three stages of child development and how the Waldorf curriculum provides a healthy understanding, nurturing, and support for these phases. This is an excellent introduction to the theory and practice of Steiner/Waldorf education, whether for teachers or anyone who would like to know more about Steiner’s ideas. It is especially useful for parents who are looking for a holistic education for their children.
	School As a Journey: The Eight-Year Odyssey of a Waldorf Teacher and His Class by Torin M. Finser School As a Journey is a lively, colorful, and absorbing account of a class teacher’s journey with his class, from first grade through the eighth in a Waldorf school. Told in a straightforward humorous style, it is an excellent introduction to the inside of a Waldorf classroom. This book is written especially for parents and educators as well as anyone new to Waldorf education. It is filled with eductional tips and resources and will prove invaluable to those already teaching. It is extensively documented, for those who wish to go more deeply, including references to the works of Rudolf Steiner and others in Waldorf education.
	Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out by Jack Petrash Written by a teacher with more than 25 years of experience, this book offers a jargon-free view of Waldorf schools with their philosophy of the importance of a three-dimensional education. Through learning experiences that involve all of the senses, children use a variety of intelligences to develop thought, feeling, and intentional, purposeful activity. Whether you’re a Waldorf parent or teacher, or you just want to learn more about these innovative educational concepts, this book contains important ideas on learning that you can apply today.
	Waldorf Education: A Family Guide by Pamela J. Fenner Waldorf Education finds itself catapulted from its humble beginnings 80 years ago into the midst of the central educational and social issues of this decade. What draws parents and educators toward Waldorf Education today? This book offers a first look for parents and educators into the history, philosophy, curriculum, and traditions of this unique education. This comprehensive book is a collection of articles describing the world of Waldorf Education – the fastest growing independent school movement in the world.
	What Is A Waldorf Kindergarten? by Sharifa Oppenheimer The authors describe from experience the numerous aspects of the “Steiner school” approach to early childhood education. Readers will learn what lies behind the Waldorf kindergarten methods and the practical ways in which it is applied by teachers in the classroom. Throughout the book, the reader is guided by the sure and compassionate hand of longtime kindergarten teacher Sharifa Oppenheimer as she introduces the authors and each topic.

WEBSITES

• The Online Waldorf Library
  www.waldorflibrary.org
  This site has been created to provide useful information to English-speaking Waldorf teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and anyone interested in Waldorf education.

• Research Institute for Waldorf Education
  www.waldorfresearchinstitute.org
  The Research Institute for Waldorf Education is an initiative working on behalf of the Waldorf movement in order to deepen and enhance the quality of Waldorf education, to engage in serious and sustained dialogue with the wider educational-cultural community and to support research that would serve educators in all types of schools in their work with children and adolescents.

• Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America
  www.waldorfearlychildhood.orgTheir mission is to protect and nurture the healthy development of the young child. They provide resources for early childhood educators and parents interested in Waldorf early childhood education.

• Why Waldorf Works
  www.whywaldorfworks.org
  Why Waldorf Works is a comprehensive site about Waldorf Education sponsored by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).

Mare has built a memorable twenty-year career as an early childhood educator, spending ten years at The Children’s School in La Jolla and currently serving as the director of Aspirations School of Learning, an infant through kindergarten school in Carlsbad, CA. She has achieved many career milestones and accolades that include becoming a mentor teacher with the state of California, achieving clear credential certification, earning a specialization in the Reggio Emilia approach, being selected as a study group member to visit schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and currently serving as a member of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance. One of Mare’s greatest joys as a teacher has been participating in the development of an art program for preschoolers, The Great Artists.

Mare completed her education in early childhood at Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California, earning both an undergraduate degree as well as a Master of Arts degree in human development with a specialization in leadership in education. Her leadership at Aspirations is based upon her desire to create a special place where children and their families can grow, bond, learn and aspire together, and where children are nurtured, intellectually stimulated and encouraged to use their imagination. As they say in Reggio, “Nothing but joy.”

For Mare Williams, creating a footprint worth remembering has always been her ardent philosophy for life. Finding joy and passion in her work, both personally and professionally, has helped to create the foundation with which she has followed her dreams. We at An Educated Choice look forward to learning from Mare as she shares her expertise in early childhood education. Watch for Mare’s posts beginning in January 2010.