I admit, I become a tad weary introducing new innovations or frameworks to a school. Our work is serious, our grappling constant, and our goals ambitious. There is nothing “cute” about the interactions with children. The language used at Westland is utterly intentional. There is a current of continuous respect and an ardent attunement to child development. I am also inspired by how adults talk about and interact with children. Westland School dazzles me the mission is rooted in democracy, citizenship, and equity and this commitment to democracy is lived out on multiple levels of school life. In my newness, I still feel like an ethnographer at times. I just finished my second year as Head of School at Westland School, a K-6 progressive school founded in 1949 it is my first headship.
The trip was transformative, both in terms of my takeaways as a parent-partner and as an educator. However, during my time in Italy, I discovered just how much I didn’t know. As an administrator at Westland School I thought I also had a fairly in-depth understanding of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which New School-West adopted decades ago. One might call me a New School-West expert-not necessarily for raising 3,4, and 5 year olds per se, but certainly for my know-how when it comes to the emergency preparation bag, snack time specifics, and the collection process for the end-of-year teacher appreciation gift. I have been a parent at The New School-West Preschool for seven consecutive years. Last spring I was invited by New School-West-as a parent-to travel to Reggio Emilia, Italy, on a Five State Educator’s Tour with the entire faculty and one other parent.
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