This has been an incredible year, and I can honestly say that it has been life-changing in many ways. I have had some extreme circumstances in my personal life that prevented me from updating the blog as regularly as I had hoped, but I am back to provide details on the past few months at school. It’s been such a wonderful experience at ASB, and it’s hard to imagine that it will be coming to an end soon!
The parent community at ASB has been welcoming and engaged, which we have had the pleasure to experience not only at drop-off and pick-up times, but also at conferences and at our learning mornings. Parent-teacher conferences were wonderful opportunities to have conversations about the children’s journeys as learners over the course of the year. Our final conference of the year was student-led, in which the children designed a plan for their hour at school with their family and then taught them about several engagements they had experienced during the year, such as cooking, sewing, creative movement, writing, painting, etc. We have also enjoyed learning mornings together, in which the entire PreKindergarten community comes together to share learning experiences as a group. The children choose guided play experiences, as is our normal routine, and families engage in these activities with the children. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about the “how” and “why” of play-based learning, as well as what their child’s day in our program. It allows us to strengthen our connections with families and children as we spend time learning, playing, and laughing together. It has been a joy to work with the families through all of these opportunities and I can hardly believe that these close connections have formed in less than a year.
Through the year, I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible people at ASB. Not only are my colleagues wonderful educators (and human beings), but everyone at the school is supportive, welcoming, and friendly. I have felt very valued here, despite my short tenure. Collaboration is at the heart of almost everything we do, and I have so enjoyed being able to work with my Pre-K team, my PLC groups, vertical teams, specialists, and support. I have learned so much from everyone I have had the chance to connect with and I hope that I have been able to contribute with my own knowledge and creativity as well.
My students have been on an incredible adventure this year as they have grown, explored, played, and learned so much about the world around them! It is astonishing to reflect back upon each child’s growth, and upon the growth of our group as a community. This class has an unprecedented amount of personality, a great sense of humour, and they are resilient and flexible learners. They have adapted to change over the course of the year as we wished Ms. Nina the best of luck in her transition to a new classroom and welcomed Ms. Neeta as our new assistant teacher. Both the children and their families have been so welcoming and excited about the prospect of Samantha and myself embarking on this learning adventure, despite the nature of our program being a two-year Pre-Kindergarten class in which children arrive for Pre-K3 and remain through Pre-K4. The children’s positive nature and enthusiasm for learning, life, and adventure has made each day in the classroom so enjoyable. I feel lucky to have been their teacher this year and I am so happy that Samantha will get to meet them upon her return.
One of the children’s engagements this year that grew as my ‘passion project,’ so to speak, was an inquiry into the idea of expression. As we began to think about how to support the inquiry, ‘How We Express Ourselves,’ an exploration of the Reggio Emilia concept of the Hundred Languages of Children, Nina and me discussed an idea that has been floating in the back of my mind for several years. The time, place, and atmosphere at ASB was perfect to launch the ‘White Room,’ later known as the ‘Rainbow Room;’ an Atelier for Expressions. We began by covering half of our atelier (creative arts space) with white fabric from floor to ceiling. We then invited the children into the space to co-construct the room, using whatever method of expression they desired. Rather than presenting a provocation (paint, markers, beading, etc.), we hoped to derive from the children what their ideas about expression might be. Over the course of eight months, the room was transformed using paint, light, bubbles, string, wire, beads, sculpture, body paint, and more. This became a testament to the power of children’s ideas when given trust and time from adults, and I was fortunate enough to share the experience at the Early Years Conference at Saigon South International School in April.
Outside of school, I have had wonderful experiences in India. I truly love this country and the compassion and kindness I experience daily here. I have been able to travel during time off from school and I have enjoyed visiting Kerala, Mathura, and Shimla. I’m looking forward to returning next year to explore the beauty of this country further!
Taking in the beauty of Agra; photos do no justice!
I spent a month volunteering at Wildlife S.O.S. in Mathura, a sanctuary for abused animals including some amazing elephants rescued from tourism and temples here in India! Please be sure to inform yourself about animal welfare when planning your trips, and consider visiting and helping out at a place like Wildlife S.O.S. or any of the other great sanctuaries working to save and protect animals!
The sanctuary also is home to many sloth bears, rescued from the truly sad dancing bear trade.
A relaxing view at Varkala, Kerala
As I am looking forward to the last days of school, I have nothing but gratitude for this experience. It has shaped my life, both professionally and personally, in ways I never could have imagined. I am excited to return to Cairo and share the things I have seen and done here, and to maintain my connections with the friends and colleagues I have connected with here in Mumbai. It’s almost time to get packing!
I will miss my charming, gorgeous neighborhood!
