My background is in Human Development and Family Studies. In the early part of my career I focused on early childhood education. My first “real job” was at Day Bridge Learning Center here in Fort Collins. It was a brand new center, so I had the opportunity to design my classroom environment from scratch. It taught me the importance of environment in an early childhood classroom and encouraged the later study of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which places a high value on early childhood settings and looks at the ‘environment as the third teacher.’

For me, this Reggio principle is about offering open ended materials/loose parts, arranging them to be inviting, and to provoke children’s curiosity and natural wonder. It is also about providing beautiful spaces both inside and outside. Remembering that children learn through their senses and the natural world gives us a great opportunity to learn in and about nature using all our senses. Lately, I have been studying the idea of Protected Spaces, a concept created by Robin Christie of New Zealand. Protected spaces are any space children can play without interruption. They allow for self-regulation, they are calm spaces, and they let children put time and effort into their play.

More principles from the Reggio approach that have shaped my own teaching are: 1) looking at children through the lens of ‘capable and competent’ and setting up an environment where they can be Empowered (i.e., make stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights). One of these rights is to have ample time to play and socialize with their friends. 2) Parents as Partners – building positive relationships with the child’s first teacher, their parents! 3) Viewing educators, including myself, as a ‘teacher as researcher,’ which involves observing, documenting, questioning,  and experimenting.

There was a shift of focus that happened while I was working at Colorado State University’s (CSU) Early Childhood Center (ECC). Working with both preschoolers and college students, I started concentrating on adult learners, both educators and parents. What I learned was that adults have individual goals, both short term and long term, that I can support. They want specific information about early childhood development, their role in being with children, and how they can develop deep relationships with their child or group of children. Listening to my adult students became most important because I would build on what they already knew and what they wanted to know more about. I could also listen for what was missing, what knowledge I could add to increase their mental capacity. I am also relationship oriented and focus on building positive relationships, having fun and joy while learning about child development.    

Clear, Ground, and Hold Space is a concept from Lightyear Leadership, founded by Susan Conrad, that I use to be my best and authentic self. I believe that we need to work on ourselves to be the best parent, teacher, and leader that we can be. When I clear space, I make sure that I am in the now, present time (children are the great teachers of being in the now) and that I have clear commitments. I’m not coming into a space with unresolved issues. I also ground myself - some ways that I personally do this are by meditating or doing a simple mindfulness exercise of feeling my feet on the ground and also being connected up to something greater than myself that creates possibilities. To hold space for me is to create the best possible outcome in a space, to believe in the best of others, and honor their abilities. Hold space for them to be successful and also hold space for me to be successful and my best self.