Open Doors: Sabot Institute Hosts Sold-Out Experience for Educators

From New York to Florida, from Missouri to Maryland, educators visit Sabot to see Reggio in practice and our mission in action

The Reggio Emilia-inspired theme for Sabot's October 2023 Open Doors event—Representation: The Role of Documentation in Developing Critical Thinking—inspired like-minded teacher-researchers from across the country to travel to Richmond, Virginia, to see our campus, tour our classrooms, engage in workshops and conversation, and explore topics of mutual interest. Because there simply is no Reggio-inspired teacher's manual, Sabot honors its unique responsibility to honor what we have learned from others, to communicate what we have come to know from our own experiences, and to engage in collaborative conversations with colleagues to grow this approach to education. Experiences like Sabot Open Doors and the Sabot Symposium (to take place in April 2024) are ways a larger community can learn about this revolutionary pedagogy; Sabot's own teacher-researchers and atelieristas have a chance to showcase their work and it is an equally valuable opportunity to learn from those educators who believe, as we do, that we are always working toward a better world through education.

Anna Golden leads participants in an observational drawing exercise, explaining that drawing to learn enhances understanding. At Sabot, we believe that in order to make thinking and learning visible, children need to feel comfortable drawing. They come to know that noticing and careful attention are important skills. They come to know that every drawing, no matter how flawed, is valuable.

Remarks from our visitors...


"I am thinking about how counter-cultural this approach is in the American educational landscape."


"Such amazing inspiration and ideas. I want to stay here!" 


"I was inspired by the conversations between students...they respect each other's ideas and listen intentionally to what others have to say."


"How affirming it is that educators have the courage to keep improving children's environments and experiences."


"I think that the synergy of this community and its environment is leading to meaningful and life lasting learning."


"I saw learning everywhere, intentional and unintentional."


"It was so enriching to see the Reggio world in action."

The Sabot Symposium will be held April 26 & 27, 2024. The Symposium is an opportunity for educators and education enthusiasts to listen and engage in the work of Reggio-inspired teaching and learning. Join our mailing list or visit our website to learn more.


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