Marthe Spizman is an EC educator in Chicago IL. She has been working in education for seven years and grew up in Highland Park, IL. Marthe went to Columbia College where she studied early childhood education. After two years of student teaching and traveling to Reggio Emilia to learn more about the approach, she began her career. In her free time, Marthe loves to cook (and eat), make art, and laugh with friends, family, and her two lazy kitty cats! Lindsey Elliott (Marthe’s Co-Host!), is also an EC educator in Chicago, IL, and has been teaching for the past 12 years. She grew up in Oconomowoc, WI, and studied at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. After moving to Chicago, she decided to pursue a career in teaching, earning a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from DePaul University. Lindsey traveled to Italy in March 2017 to study the Reggio Emilia Approach and that experience sparked her love of professional development as a continual inspiration for teachers. Lindsey's greatest joy is her two children, Isla and Leo. Follow The Reflective Teacher on Instagram and share your findings with us!

Vicky Kairy is a Program Consultant at Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP), where she provides professional development for mentors and new teachers. Vicky has been involved in Jewish education for 20 years, most recently as Lower School General Studies and Judaic Studies Assistant Principal at Barkai Yeshivah in Brooklyn. Vicky also mentored beginning teachers in early childhood programs and elementary schools with JNTP; coached middle school teachers as a Judaic Studies Educational Coach; led an induction program supporting new teachers and mentors, and taught General and Judaic studies in grades K-8 for 15 years. She holds a BA from Brooklyn College and studied education at Touro College Graduate School of Education and Special Education. Vicky can be reached at [email protected].

!!!!TEACHER PEP-TALK TIME!!!! We’re so lucky to have BrookeLynne back for another episode! BrookeLynne continues to use her experience as a former classroom teacher with early childhood students to inform and assist her clients as a parent coach. BrookeLynne is passionate about social-emotional learning and knows the importance of building trust and forming connections with children and parents alike. We are always so inspired after our conversations with her and we hope you are too! If you’re looking for a more tailored one-on-one session with BrookeLynne, please check out our resources below to book an appointment with her. BrookeLynne is also active on social media and shares many tips and tricks for anyone who works with or has children; do not forget to follow her! -- Links to her info in the show notes!

In this episode, Lindsey and Marthe chat about maker spaces in the classroom and how you can start your own!

Leah Hiller is a pediatric occupational therapist (OT), an educational consultant, and a former Jewish day school teacher. She provides teachers and parents like you with the strategies, support, and evidence-based resources to help children thrive at home, school, and play. In addition to providing individualized OT services in her private practice, she offers workshops for parents and educators and teaches graduate courses in special education. Leah lives in Los Angeles with her family, and her OT therapy studio is located in a natural setting - her very own backyard!

Anna is the Director of The Paradigm Project and one of its founders. She also works with JUF as the Director of Early Childhood Excellence and is an avid advocate for EC educators. Anna recognizes the rapid growth that children and families go through in the early years of life and she sets forth to support families and their children through a great community of ever-growing, learning, and reflective teachers. We’ve been lucky enough to benefit from Anna’s amazing professional development and we are so honored to learn from her in this new capacity; policy and advocacy in EC!

Melissa began her career in education as a social studies teacher in Texas. She attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and currently resides in the Twin Cities where she works for Amaze Works updating the Persona Doll curriculum. Amaze works offers so many programs to incorporate more inclusivity into every classroom. They are in a relationship with your school and will meet you where you are and listen to your future goals/dreams for more inclusive classrooms.  Melissa’s passionate about incorporating more DEIJ work into classrooms all over the country. As a new parent, she’s always asking herself, “what kind of classroom do I want my kids to be a part of?”; a vital question for us all! New dolls are out soon. Please check out Amaze Works to see all they have to offer! To find out more about Persona Dolls and the AMAZEworks education programs, visit the AMAZEworks website, https://www.amazeworks.org/ follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amazeworks, and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amazeworks1996/?hl=en

Ann Gadzikowski is a long-time educator, a consultant for EC organizations, and author of many books including Young Architects at Play: STEM Activities for Young Children and most recently, Creating a Beautiful Mess: Ten Essential Play Experiences for a Joyous Childhood. She is the author of curriculum books, teaching guides, classroom readers, and numerous publications for parents of young children. Ann’s work with children embraces both the arts and the sciences, which is clearly her passion. Her current role is the Director of Early Learning at Encyclopædia Britannica. Ann’s rich experience with children and teachers alike makes her classroom suggestions and expertise relatable and so good! To find out more about Ann and her work, visit her website at http://anngadzikowski.com/ You can also learn more by following her on these platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agadzikowski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-gadzikowski-263501132/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnGadz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anngadz/ Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/anngadz/

Our interview with Heather Jackson was inspiring and eye-opening, to say the least! She brings a new way of thinking about project-based, Reggio -inspired learning that is refreshing and accessible for all educators that are interested. Heather is an Early childhood educator in Orangeville, Ontario Canada. She has been an early childhood educator for 40 years.  Heather owns and operates the Sunflower School in Orangeville Ontario for the past 11 years.  The Sunflower School provides early childhood education to  300 children and employs over 40 early childhood educators.  She has worked as a Director in the non-profit sector of education for over 30 years.  Being with the families, children and her educators is Heather’s passion and drives her work.  Her work involves mentoring many educators across this province in the Reggio-inspired practice including my own Sunflower Educators.  The Sunflower School is managed by an all-female team which includes Heather’s two daughters and sister.   She finds it amazing to work with my family as our work is honest and driven. Heather also provides training on project work in the Reggio inspired Practice, loose parts, documentation, 100 languages of children, and how to build a project with young children. She is also the proud grandmother to three amazing girls who are fierce and confident.  Follow Heather and The Sunflower School on Instagram @thesunflower_studio, @thesunflowerschool  If you’d like to learn more about her schools, go to www.thesunflowerschool.ca  and/or contact her at [email protected]

Daniel Hodgins is an early childhood consultant, international presenter, and author of a popular two popular released books titled: Boys: Changing the Classroom, Not the Child and GET OVER IT, Relearning Guidance Practices. His new book, What the Hell, Where Did You Get That Idea? is being completed. As a consultant, he has a unique grasp of children and family issues learned from over 36 years of experience working as a teacher, director, educator, and parent in both private and public sectors. Much of his work involved children at risk; special needs populations and families with diverse challenges. In addition to his work as a consultant, Daniel has worked as a Director of Child Development Center; Parent-Child Cooperative Nursery School Teacher; Teacher in Elementary School and retired as Coordinator of Early Childhood Education at Mott Community College, in Flint, Michigan. He has given keynotes, seminars, and presentations in over 48 states, Canada, Europe, and Japan.