Reggio Emilia Expert Dr. Naama Zoran Invigorates BT PreSchool Teachers

World-renowned developmental psychologist and education consultant Dr. Naama Zoran met with Beth Tfiloh PreSchool faculty to share her best practices for the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy that underpins BT PreSchool’s emergent curriculum.

The emergent curriculum generates long-term topical exploration by igniting the students’ curiosity in the world around them and giving them a lifelong love of learning. Dr. Zoran, who founded the Early Childhood Department at Israel’s Ministry of Education, inspired the BT PreSchool teachers to further elevate the quality of each classroom experience.

Dr. Zoran framed the Reggio Emilia approach through a Jewish lens, deepening our PreSchool teachers’ understanding of the philosophy while encouraging teachers to foster students’ independence. “Dr. Zoran showed our teachers how to shift their mindset, to see children as competent learners and thinkers, as individual people,” explained PreSchool Director, Mrs. Melissa Lebowitz.

“Our teachers are lifelong learners,” emphasizes BT Director of Education Mrs. Zipora Schorr. “Their enthusiasm and excitement for new ideas will translate to a PreSchool with enthusiastic and excited children, ready to learn and discover.”

Morah Ingrid Strand, 3’s teacher, was amazed by Dr. Zoran’s ideas. “I am really looking forward to working with her more throughout the year so she can help me take my thoughts and ideas to the next level,” she says. Four’s teacher Morah Stephanie Ziman was equally inspired: “Dr. Zoran is a firm believer that we, as teachers, should accept and treat our children as individuals. She recognizes that the classroom environment is where the teacher and children learn together through exploration and discovery.”

Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Dr. Howard Gardner explains the long-term benefits of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy in this CNN news report: