In what seems to be a long time ago, 2004, I took a trip to Italy, not to visit family, but to see the world renowned schools of Reggio Emilia. I joined an American Study Tour, Crossing Boundaries, knowing that my work as an Early Childhood Educator would be changed forever. Little did I know that the two weeks I spent immersed in this pedagogy would define me both as a woman and as a teacher. I began my career in 1981 and have taught young children in several settings becoming a supervisor in 1989 and then eventually going on to be an owner of three schools. I have always felt a tremendous affinity for children. For lack of words I will simply say that they are remarkable. What I came to realize and knew to some extent, as I began to study the Reggio Approach in 2000, is that we must commit as teachers to share the journey of learning and most importantly the walk of life with our students. To that end, upon my return from my trip, a major upheaval began in the school where I was...
