Importance of Good Teachers

An important new study is out about the importance of quality teachers in pre-school and kindergarten.

Teaching quality is a key focus for us at Commons. For several years we have been raising the standards when hiring new teachers -- requiring more credentials (i.e. Type 04 certification). Also, we have encouraged existing teachers to return to school, connecting teachers with financial assistance to do so.

Of course, this all requires more resources, as teacher salaries must increase in order to retain teachers with more advanced credentials and skill. Over the past year, average teacher salary has increased at Chicago Commons by 14% as a result of requiring (and compensating) teachers with higher level credentials.

Unleashing creativity

A recent article in Newsweek decried the decline of creativity in America and discussed ideas of how to reverse course.

In general, early education and primary education in the United States has neglected to nurture creativity in children – this is way beyond a lack of art classes. True creativity is developed through experiential learning, a type of learning that not typically offered.

Chicago Commons and other early education pioneers in Chicago are working to reverse this trend by using the Reggio Emilia Approach to early learning. In the 1990s, Commons’ began working with the Reggio Emilia approach. The approach began in Italy in the 1950s in the town of Reggio Emilia while it was rebuilding after World War II. The approach is all about unleashing the natural creativity and knowledge possessed by children.

We are excited that this approach is growing right here in Chicago, there are several community organizations and schools now exploring this approach. And Chicago Commons is co-hosting a major public exhibit on the Reggio Approach in conjunction with Columbia College and City of Chicago. The exhibit runs through November 2010. More information on the exhibit can be found here and here.

Wonder of Learning!

In 1991 Newsweek listed the best schools in the world and among their selections were the pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Over the past several years, a growing number of innovative pre-schools in the United States are adopting this inspiring approach to early education. However, the Reggio Emilia approach remains a “best kept secret” here in the U.S.

Even more of a secret is that Chicago is now one of the few American cities where the Reggio approach is being adapted in high poverty areas. During the 1990s, Chicago Commons, a neighborhood service organization, began using the approach in its pre-schools in high poverty neighborhoods. It was one of the earlier organizations in the United State to do so. Since then others in Chicago have done the same including Christopher House and several public schools.

This year, Chicago Commons, Columbia College and the City of Chicago are proud to co-host a special exhibit presented by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) called The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children. The exhibit is a window onto the activities and creativity of children in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

It is a powerful approach to education, one that fosters research and innovation among teachers, administrators, parents and, most important, the children themselves. As we work to re-invent and improve educational systems in the U.S., we would be wise to look for innovative models like the Reggio approach.

The Wonder of Learning Exhibit runs from June 15^th through November 30^th at the Columbia College Congress Gallery, 33 East Congress. Hours of the exhibit:

Tues, Wed, Fri: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Thurs: 12 noon - 7:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.