visionary education community - Reggio Emilia Inspired
Renewal in the spring
In March, my co-teacher with whom I had been working for over two years, left us to start her own preschool. This sent us into the search for a new colleague. I'm pleased that we found Chandra Bocci to work with us. We didn't have to look far. She has been nannying for a family that used to go to our full-day program. The children in this family ended up going to the same charter school as my daughter, so I'd bump into Chandra at the school from time to time. When I saw her there one day in March, I mentioned the opening at our school and was glad to see that she contacted our director, Susie.
Bringing on someone new as a co-teacher has been renewing. I find myself re-assessing my behaviors and responses that seemed to build up over time during the previous co-teacher relationship. I feel new, too, and simultaneously aware of the past. I'm putting things in question that I had let ride for too long. I sense changes already in how I interact with the children and my colleagues, and wonder how much more will change. I also wonder how to create opportunities for this type of renewal over time that don't depend on a change of colleague.
As I build this new relationship with my co-teacher Chandra, I feel an openness to untold possibilities. I hope that this feeling lasts a long time. Every co-teacher is different...and we can change in the moment, over time, or from time to time due to happenings in our lives. How I respond to these differences provides opportunities for reflection-in-action and after the fact. I imagine myself peeling off some of the "old" and opening myself up to the new, both the newness of the colleague and the newness that each and any day brings.
Chandra is also an artist. Her artistic work is viewable at http://www.chandrabocci.net. She's additionally taking online course in early childhood, and it's been great to revisit books and ideas with her. She brings the energy of a student and inspires that energy in our school. Today we sat on the floor in the office and talked about Andy Goldsworthy's work, Ann Pelo's Language of Art and Children, Art, Artists. As a practicing artist, Goldsworthy was an early influence on Chandra, I found out today. Wow, so here is someone who sees Goldsworthy from a different perspective from me. How might this play out as we continue our work with the children?
Bringing on someone new as a co-teacher has been renewing. I find myself re-assessing my behaviors and responses that seemed to build up over time during the previous co-teacher relationship. I feel new, too, and simultaneously aware of the past. I'm putting things in question that I had let ride for too long. I sense changes already in how I interact with the children and my colleagues, and wonder how much more will change. I also wonder how to create opportunities for this type of renewal over time that don't depend on a change of colleague.
As I build this new relationship with my co-teacher Chandra, I feel an openness to untold possibilities. I hope that this feeling lasts a long time. Every co-teacher is different...and we can change in the moment, over time, or from time to time due to happenings in our lives. How I respond to these differences provides opportunities for reflection-in-action and after the fact. I imagine myself peeling off some of the "old" and opening myself up to the new, both the newness of the colleague and the newness that each and any day brings.
Chandra is also an artist. Her artistic work is viewable at http://www.chandrabocci.net. She's additionally taking online course in early childhood, and it's been great to revisit books and ideas with her. She brings the energy of a student and inspires that energy in our school. Today we sat on the floor in the office and talked about Andy Goldsworthy's work, Ann Pelo's Language of Art and Children, Art, Artists. As a practicing artist, Goldsworthy was an early influence on Chandra, I found out today. Wow, so here is someone who sees Goldsworthy from a different perspective from me. How might this play out as we continue our work with the children?
Tags: artists, co-teacher, professional development, relationships
5 Comments
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Comment by Marianne Cane on May 21, 2009 at 10:27pm - Exciting stuff, Jeffrey. How wonderful to see through new eyes.
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Comment by Linda Wilson on May 22, 2009 at 1:20am - It seems evident, but hard to acknowledge sometimes; how much we grow and learn from having new people and perspectives enter our world we think is working so well. As I enter a new venture, a new center being built from the ground up with thoughtful architects and an opportunity to do what I've dreamed of for years...the best thing has been rethinking and reflecting my view of children and the role of the teacher. At 61, I feel like I did those heady college years; staying up all night and passionately talking about things that matter with people who care so deeply. Hooray to the new people and chapters in our lives.
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Comment by Jeffrey White on May 22, 2009 at 8:40pm - It's vital for releasing ourselves from the captivity of the thinking and habits on an individual and social level.
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Comment by Nicole Simpson on May 30, 2009 at 1:07pm - That is exciting! I know Chandra's work and I think she is amazing and talented. You are lucky. Sad to hear that Erin is gone, but I am so excited for her and wish her all the best. See you at the Symposium?
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Comment by Jeffrey White on May 30, 2009 at 1:49pm
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Hi, Nicole,
Nice bumping into you here. I'm excited to see how Erin develops her school too. The transition has been interesting, like any transition. I'm happy to be settling down here with Chandra as my co-teacher after a month of working with a temporary sub. See you in at the symposium.
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