The Ontario Reggio Association is the only organization in Ontario that is in dialogue with Reggio Children. We invite everyone to come together to engage in critical reflection on pedagogical documentation and collaborate to create contexts and pedagogy that foreground relationships, where children, educators and families create vibrant democracies by welcoming the expression of diverse views and ideas through “the hundred languages”.

 

Meet our Board Members

Board members have been nominated and elected, representing a wide cross section of educators, from early childhood to elementary and post-secondary education, and a broad geographic spectrum of Ontario. Board members will serve a 2 – 3 year term.
Karyn Callaghan

Karyn Callaghan, President

Allison Barrow R.ECE

Allison Barrow, Treasurer

Kathy Cope

Kathy Cope

Michelle Taylor-Leonhardi

Michelle Taylor-Leonhardi

Rosalba Bortolotti

Rosalba Bortolotti

Rachel Hughes

Rachel Hughes

History

The ORA was conceived as a wide-reaching organization in Ontario that brings together those interested in studying and working with the inspiration of the Reggio Emilia approach. This organization has grown out of the partnership among The Bishop Strachan School, York University, the Toronto District School Board, and Seneca College which brought the exhibit “The Hundred Languages of Children” to Toronto from October 2006 to March 2007. Lella Gandini and Amelia Gambetti supported us by speaking at both the opening and closing conferences of The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit. A follow up conference Feb. 6-8, 2008 that brought Carlina Rinaldi to Toronto provided ongoing momentum for those interested in continuing their relationship with this work. The exhibit of original documentation from the Infant and Toddler Centres and Preschools of Reggio Emilia and the presence in Toronto of educators from Reggio Emilia at professional development sessions (2004-2008) has provoked an interest in further investigation of this unique approach. Enthusiasm spread much further than the original partnership. At that point, the executive steering committee that brought the exhibit began to work on forming an ongoing organization as a useful and supportive structure for individuals working in settings across the province. The organization was developed to provide occasions for joining others who wish to continue their exploration and engagement with the Reggio Emilia approach. The ongoing initiatives of the organization include annual or semi-annual conferences for Reggio educators, professional development Saturday sessions in which small groups share documentation and discussion, website access and information, networking for members, and announcement for various events through the website.