Educator's Testimonial, Mr. Paolo

I have been in the education field for almost two decades, and I am still in awe of how my life has been a never-ending process of learning. I moved to an educational institution two years ago where the main curriculum was the Reggio Emilia Inspired Approach (REIA) and nature-based learning. I won’t lie; I felt intimidated because these are curricula I had not practiced in my years of early childhood education. But as I immersed myself and became open to the values they set, I found new meaning and inspiration as an educator and understood the importance of these approaches.

"To make a lovable school, industrious, inventive, liveable, documentable, and communicable, a place of research, learning, recognition, and reflection, where children, teachers, and families feel well, is our point of arrival."
- Loris Malaguzzi

One of the major thrusts of the REA is respecting the child and recognizing that they are the active protagonists of their learning process. Children are capable of leading their learning journey, and we should listen to their voices. Children have amazing abilities to learn, which grow stronger through constant interaction with the people and culture around them. These interactions help shape their knowledge and skills. Knowing this is the foundation of our approach to learning, we honor the many ways children learn and express themselves. Children have unique and rich ways of interacting with the world. They think and express themselves not just through words but also through art, music, movement, play, and more. Instead of seeing experiences separately, children naturally connect what they learn in different areas of their lives. This perspective highlights the richness and complexity of how children understand and engage with the world. With this in mind, we strive to inculcate these beliefs as educators in everything we do. Personally, I have become more reflective, humble, and trusting in children's agency. I have to let go because the child is capable of exponential abilities ready to emerge with our intentional guidance, together with the environment and their curiosities. The environment takes up a big role, as it is what we call the “third teacher." With the rich and outstanding environment we have here, we became mindful—mindful of the choices we make, the materials we use, and their impact on our children and the planet we live on. It is embedded in and practiced how to be sustainable and how to show respect to the environment, the materials we use, and the culture we have.

The beauty of nature education is being able to appreciate and respect what we have. We strive to create nature warriors, children who value the importance of taking care of the planet in our own little ways. The most common belief is that we make the most effective nature warriors by making them first nature lovers. Alam Atelier mindfully lets children experience the magic of nature in and outside the classroom. We hold their hands as they discover how water flows down, or how butterflies come out of cocoons and tadpoles grow into frogs, or how plants grow with their roots firmly down and leaves going up, and how we can play freely under the vastness of the great blue sky.

Being part of an institution that nurtures respect, fosters reflection, investigation, and creativity, and inspires excellence daily has driven my transformative growth. Reflecting on my journey, the word "transformation" stands out. I was initially hesitant about new educational approaches, but I embraced them with a humble heart and an open mind, proving that change is possible. This transformation has reshaped my perspective, enabling me to see through the lens of love and humility. By doing so, I strive to become a better educator, fostering an environment where both I and my students can thrive and grow.