The neutrality of the classroom elements contrasted with the student work adorning the walls are the images I still have in my head from my visit today at Whitney Young Early Childhood Center. My visit to Young reminds me of seeing a great movie or finishing an amazing book. Once I’ve finished, the images, the words, and the feelings continue to fill my head all day. I knew Young focuses on the arts, but I had no idea what it all encompassed. The art teacher plays a huge role at the school in addition to the classroom teachers and assistants. The children spend half days focusing on the arts with the art teacher as well as the classroom teacher and the ideas generated are continued in the regular classroom. I learned that the Reggio philosophy is used at this school and found additional information about it here.
I spent lunch with the school’s passionate teachers who spoke enthusiastically about what they do and about what makes their school so unique and so great. These teachers obviously enjoy what they do and speak very highly about the collaboration that takes place with everyone in the building. They seem to be keenly aware of the politics taking over our education system, but they continue to incorporate their philosophy with the data-driven methods that are infiltrating our schools. I was happy to hear that these children still have at least 30 minutes of play each day. The spaciousness of the building allows for this as well as ample work space for students to learn and explore.
In addition to the spaciousness and the inviting atmosphere, I was amazed at the pictures and artwork on the walls. No “commercial” items are used in the school – no Garfield posters, no Scholastic posters – but what one sees is absolutely amazing and unique….everything is made by the staff or the students. It was incredible to see. Each person - be it a student or staff member - seems to have his or her own masterpiece exhibited. What a gem we have in our community…I witnessed a great staff combined with a philosophy everyone believes in to make an impact on what is most important – our children.
I spent lunch with the school’s passionate teachers who spoke enthusiastically about what they do and about what makes their school so unique and so great. These teachers obviously enjoy what they do and speak very highly about the collaboration that takes place with everyone in the building. They seem to be keenly aware of the politics taking over our education system, but they continue to incorporate their philosophy with the data-driven methods that are infiltrating our schools. I was happy to hear that these children still have at least 30 minutes of play each day. The spaciousness of the building allows for this as well as ample work space for students to learn and explore.
In addition to the spaciousness and the inviting atmosphere, I was amazed at the pictures and artwork on the walls. No “commercial” items are used in the school – no Garfield posters, no Scholastic posters – but what one sees is absolutely amazing and unique….everything is made by the staff or the students. It was incredible to see. Each person - be it a student or staff member - seems to have his or her own masterpiece exhibited. What a gem we have in our community…I witnessed a great staff combined with a philosophy everyone believes in to make an impact on what is most important – our children.