Italics – Teachers from Miami Jewish schools visit Italy to learn more about innovative program

By Adrianne Richardson*

Teachers and administrators from Temple Beth Sholom Innovative School in Miami Beach, Temple Judea in Coral Gables, the Michael-Ann Russell JCC in North Miami Beach and the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education recently visited Reggio, Italy.

There, they met with Jewish professionals from the United States, Europe and Israel for a weeklong learning experience featuring hands-on lessons to better understand the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy that’s used in their classrooms.

The Reggio Emilia approach, which is used in preschool and primary curriculum, emphasizes hands-on discovery with a focus on social collaboration and family participation. It encourages students to use their language skills and senses to learn.

“Our Reggio colleagues believe that schools are places where theory and practice are connected and where body and mind are connected to nourish the learning processes,” said Margie Zeskind, head of school at Temple Beth Sholom.

*The article was published in Miami Herald on May 31, 2019.