GEULA ZAMIST

Focusing on child-centered learning, documentation, reflection

A fundamental belief of ours is that every child we encounter has tremendous capacity and creativity. Each human soul is unique, and yet we all have certain elements in common and share a part of God within us. Each individual is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and with the capacity to create something from nothing. This year, teachers have had a unique opportunity to look at the children in this way. We know that as we remove more and more distractions, we can see the essence of the human being. A schoolwide study of CLAY has given us the opportunity to look closely at our students and see how they engage with this very basic element.

As the children poke, pinch, pretend, and ask questions, the teachers have been observing, documenting, and reflecting. It has been inspiring for the whole faculty to be joining together using the same shared material. Each time the teachers present the children with the clay, they share photos and descriptions of the experience with each other on a shared app. In this way, everyone in our school community has a look into what is going on throughout the school.

When we meet together, we discuss what we are seeing and share ideas about how to enhance the experience. Teachers have learned so much from the children and from each other. Our learning is deepened as we work with a pedagogical coach who guides our conversations and draws us back to how this investigation aligns with our school values.

As the teachers join the children on the journey, they are also taking a journey of enhancing their craft as master observers. We have focused our study on child-centered learning, documentation, and reflection, using CLAY as our inspiration and shared material. The reflections always include language of: I think, I wonder, I hope.

We are so honored to have a faculty filled with educators who continue to think and wonder and hope!

Geula Zamist is the director of CAI’s Lerner Early Childhood Center.

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