This month, Kisha Reid interviews Deb Curtis, the co-author of many resourceful early childhood books, including "The Visionary Director", "Art of Awareness", and "Children's Lively Minds". Her forty years of experience working with young children informs her work with adult early educators and directors. Together we discuss The Art of really seeing children and the practice of helping them see each other.

#reallyseeingchildren, #observation, #DebCurtis, #docuementation, #teacherrole #socialsupport #seeingeachother, #intentional, #SEL

Jane Elgin joins Kisha Reid as they discuss play in public schools. Jane tells stories and gives practical advice about infusing play into your practice, even in a public elementary school. 

In this episode, Kisha is joined by Carol Garboden-Murray, a long-time early educator and the author of Illuminating Care: The Pedagogy and Practice of Care in Early Childhood. They share a lively discussion about the importance of keeping the CARE in child CARE.

Kisha Reid is in conversation with Nicolette Sowder about the wonderful story behind her journey to creating "Wilder Child" and "Wild Schooling". They discuss how her observations of her child's needs for movement and connection along with her need to reconnect with the land inspired her to create these nature-based communities she so passionately calls Village-led. 

Alissa Mwenelupembe has worked in early childhood education for the past twenty years. She began her career as a classroom educator working with toddlers and over time transitioned into center leadership roles. Alissa holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her doctorate.  Her dissertation focuses on the experiences of Black women navigating the career ladder in the early childhood profession.

Alissa Mwenelupembe has worked in early childhood education for the past twenty years. She began her career as a classroom educator working with toddlers and over time transitioned into center leadership roles. Alissa holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working on her doctorate.  Her dissertation focuses on the experiences of Black women navigating the career ladder in the early childhood profession.

Leigh Ann Yuen is the Co-founder, director, and lead teacher at Garden Gate Child Development Center on Martha’s Vineyard, providing children with opportunities to be seen and heard through creative exploration and expression for more than 25 years. She has been teaching and advocating for children during this time.  She and Kisha are going talk about her experiences in workshops and retreats for educators wishing to deepen their practice.

Kisha Reid is joined by Becky Gamache, an education coordinator for Duluth Public Schools. Becky has been an early childhood educator for the past 25-years and is a fierce advocate for play-based learning and play equity. She and her team have recently been focused on implementing play-based practices and increased outdoor experiences for Head Start and the universal preschool programs in her school district.

She is an advocate for developmentally appropriate experiences for young children and believes that children learn best through hands on experiences and are motivated through their own interests and ideas. She and Kisha are going to discuss Becky's participation in an initiative to make natural playscapes accessible to economically disadvantaged children.

 Renee is known for her work as an early childhood educator. She has over 50 years of experience, having taught both in Italy and the United States.  She and Kisha talk about her work around "Choice Time" and supporting  NYC public school teachers as they design play conducive classrooms for school-aged children. 

His mission is to help adults truly See, Guide and Trust children. He is pushing the needle a little closer toward world peace. He goes by, “Mr.Chazz” and he even has a song to prove it.  He has been a teacher of teachers and parents for a decade. He has worked with many schools, thousands of teachers and thousands of children as an Educational Specialist.  He earned his Master’s in Executive Leadership at American University. His specialty is self-regulation, and he has found inspiring ways to teach his techniques to teachers and parents. Join us to learn more.