Upcoming Events
CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS: Intentional Words of Kindness with Karen Levenberg
Wednesday, November 4th 3pm-4:30pm
Daily intentions, special words of kindness and empathy, that can be visualized and physicalized, form the foundation of this social/emotional framework developed by Karen Levenberg and Annabelle Baylin. Teachers select special words (intentions) based on observations and values that they want to cultivate in the classroom, establishing a classroom culture with a shared set of moral principles: generosity, integrity, persistence, gratitude. Each word is defined, modeled, discussed during morning meetings, and put into action over a two-week period. Throughout the school year, this set of words creates the container for children to take action to make their world a kinder and fairer place.
In this workshop, Karen and Annabelle will share video footage of their PreK classroom conversations, videos of children speaking about the intentions, and lead the group through their mindfulness practice and intention conversations. They will also share how they incorporate this language and values throughout the school day and reflect with participants on what intentions they might incorporate into their own classrooms. Lastly, they will speak about how they shared this work with families and how they supported parents to also use the language of the intentions at home.
BIO:
Karen Levenberg has been an early childhood educator for over two decades. She coaches for Teaching Beyond the Square and is a teaching artist and coach for Studio-in-a-School. Prior to coaching she was a classroom teacher for many years. She has a particular interest in introducing young children to science and art and observing their discoveries as they construct knowledge through play and exploration within an emergent curriculum. Karen holds a master's degree in early childhood education from Brooklyn College, a master's in public health from Hunter College and a BA in studio art/art history from Oberlin College. Karen lives with her husband in Brooklyn, close to her young adult children.
WELCOME TO MY STUDIO: LOOSE PARTS WITH TODDLERS, LISA ZARETSKY
Tuesday, November 17th 3-4pm
Loose parts are found in everyday environments and interactions. They come to us with potential, diversity, and at times abundance. These everyday items in the hands of our youngest learners unlock great potential. Through playAGAIN, Lisa champions the use of everyday, repurposed materials to inspire children’s creativity, imagination, resourcefulness, and social-emotional well-being. Her approach celebrates children’s natural desire to repeat, revisit, and transform their experiences, while emphasizing that meaningful play is about the process—not the product. Lisa is a lifelong early childhood educator whose work with toddlers and materials will inspire you to reimagine and play again!
BIO:
Lisa Zaretsky is a lifelong early childhood educator, mother of two grown children, and the creator of playAGAIN, a philosophy and program centered on the power of free, unstructured play. After earning her Master’s in Education from Bank Street College of Education and spending many years as a nursery school teacher in New York City, Lisa founded playAGAIN in 2010. In 2018, Lisa created the EVERYDAY PLAY DECK, featuring more than 100 invitations to play with household and repurposed materials. In 2022, she opened The playAGAIN Studio in Stockton, New Jersey, where she continues to create opportunities for children and families to explore the possibilities of open-ended play.
TBS Videochats provide professional development for early childhood educators
LOCATION: Zoom
COST: $40.00 per person
Cancellation Policy: Please be aware that we will not be able to offer you a refund if you cancel within 48 hours of this event. We understand that things happen and the school day can be full of unexpected surprises. If you miss some of your session or you are unable to attend please request a recording within one week of the videochat. Recordings of videochat sessions are offered by request only in respect of the presenter’s work and as requested by their schools. Videochat recordings for 9/15 and 12/15 cannot be given out at all no matter what the circumstance.
Registration for workshops & videochats closes the evening before the event.
VIDEOCHATS (virtual events):
Instructions for joining the videochat will be sent one day before the event from info@teachingbeyondthesquare.org (check your spam folder if you don't see the email in your inbox)
We are located in New York, so all times refer to Eastern Time Zone (ET).
After the event, you will receive a follow-up email with resources, contact info for the presenter, and a link to request a certificate.
Email Yeshnaya@TeachingBeyondtheSquare.org with any questions or issues logging in.
WORKSHOPS (in-person events)
A reminder will be sent one day before the event from info@teachingbeyondthesquare.org (check your spam folder if you don't see the email in your inbox)
We are located at 130 E. 16th St., New York, NY.
Email Yeshanaya@TeachingBeyondtheSquare.org with any questions.
