TBS Goes to Washington 2026

TBS returns to Washington, DC for our second educator tour on Monday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 24th. Join Teaching Beyond the Square’s Jennifer Carvajal, Senior Educational Director, and Wendy Gelsanliter, Materials Center Educator and Coordinator, for a fun-filled and informative 2 days! The trip includes 2 school visits, a self-guided tour of Planet Word Museum (“Where Language Comes to Life”), a Fibers and Fabrics workshop, Monday night reflection dinner, overnight stay at The Poppy Georgetown, and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday.

Day 1:
1:00 PM - Meet at Planet Word Museum
2:30 PM - Visit to National Children’s Research Center Preschool 
5:00 PM - Check into The Poppy
6:30 PM - Catered Dinner from Founding Farmers at The Poppy
Discussion and dessert to follow dinner 

Day 2:
8:00 AM breakfast at The Poppy and check-out
9:00 AM-3:00 PM St. John’s Preschool tour and Fibers and Fabric workshop. Breakfast & lunch are included. 

***Limited to 13 educators. $800 includes lodging, fees, and meals. Travel to DC is not included. (Trains and buses leave regularly from NYC to DC.)

Cancellation Policy:
Teaching Beyond the Square cannot provide refunds or replacements for cancellations.
However, if the registrant can find their own replacement to cover their costs, that will be accepted.

Experience Reggio Emilia with TBS

Join Teaching Beyond the Square on our first Study Tour of Reggio Emilia, Italy and beyond! Go back to where the Reggio approach was born to visit inspiring spaces, experience the 100 languages in a hands-on way, and reflect and learn from other educators. This trip includes a visit to the Loris Malaguzzi Center, Remida Reggio Emilia, Remida Bologna, and Documentation Center; a hands-on atelier workshop; a school visit; and several add-on experiences. See our trip itinerary below:

Sunday, April 19th - Evening meet and greet, walk around Reggio Emilia

Monday, April 20th - Loris Malaguzzi Center (Reggio Emilia): Introduction to the values, history, and organization, in depth discussions, questions and answers with a pedagogista

Tuesday, April 21st - Remida Visit (Reggio Emilia): tour of the Creative Recycling Centre, presentation, workshop, presentation of the materials center and discussion

Wednesday, April 22 - School Visit: tour of a school (TBD) that is in collaboration with Remida followed by a discussion

Documentation Center Visit (Reggio Emilia): Caffarri, the research space of the Reggio Children Foundation and headquarters of the doctorate in Reggio Childhood Studies. Here, children and adults can meet researchers, participate in workshops and explorations with Scintillae - play and learning in the digital age, a project born from the collaboration with The LEGO Foundation that investigates the relationship between play and learning in the digital age, and with Remida's creative paths, dedicated to sustainability and the reuse of materials. Researchers of all ages tell each other, answer questions, share research and visions, creating an atmosphere of play and discovery, where the desire for knowledge becomes a path to be built together day after day.
Optional: pizza reflection dinner.

Thursday, April 23 - Officina Natura Maestra (Reggio Emilia): This is a large atelier that welcomes artistic activities and workshops aimed at children and adults who want to get their hands dirty.  It was born from the experience of two atelieristas who share the same passion and vision. We will participate in a Poke Gardens, Carpentry, Ceramics and Wire Workshop.
Optional: Cooking Class, Balsamic Vinegar or Parmigiano Reggiano tour 

Friday, April 24th - Remida Visit (Bologna): Field trip to Remida Bologna for a tour and workshop with transportation included.
Optional: farewell lunch

We will be taking 30 educators on this tour, and we have reserved a block of rooms at the Mecure Hotel in the center of Reggio Emilia. Cost is $2570 for single occupancy (hotel and cost of study tour). If you want to share a room, please reach out to jane@teachingbeyondthesquare for more info. The block of rooms is held until October 11th, and after that date, you will have to find your own accommodations. Meals and airline costs are not included in the price. There is an optional group dinner, farewell lunch, and other local activities that will be an additional cost if you would like to participate. More info TBD.

This trip is materials-focused and is not necessarily designed for an educator who is new to the Reggio approach and seeing Reggio Emilia for the first time.  It was curated for educators and studio teachers who are interested in the unique use of materials in their classrooms.

Cancellation Policy:
Teaching Beyond the Square cannot provide refunds or replacements for cancellations.
However, if the registrant can find their own replacement to cover their costs, that will be accepted.

Questions? Reach out to jane@teachingbeyondthesquare.org

Need More Info?
Virtual Q & A

Oct 8, 2025, 4:00 PM (EST)

Meeting ID: 857 1277 4570
Passcode: 9988114