On Wednesday, August 30, early childhood educators from across the community came to the Aidekman Jewish Community Campus in Whippany to “shop” for school supplies in a tractor trailer in the parking lot!
The event, organized by our Jewish Educational Initiative in partnership with Teaching Beyond the Square, invited early childhood educators to participate in a shopping spree where they could gather thoughtful recycled materials to take back to their classrooms to spark creativity, ignite imagination, and promote collaboration.
“These materials can be incorporated in dramatic play, in their cozy corner, to play with blocks, to create art. Whatever the children want to do with it,” said Emily Fox, Federation’s director of Jewish Educational Initiatives. “It’s a new progressive type of learning, and our early childhood educators are right on top of it. We wish them the best year ahead, and we’re so excited to be learning with them.”
To coincide with the shopping experience, educators were invited to attend a Loose Parts 101, a Zoom workshop where Teaching Beyond the Square professionals shared tips and best practices for using found and recycled objects in creative ways.
“We’re also here to celebrate our amazing educators,” said Marcia Grosswald, chair of the Jewish Educational Initiative committee. “This is such a festive event. Not only do teachers get to enjoy picking out all these great materials, they can meet other teachers, relax, and enjoy a little pampering with fancy coffee, Kona Ice, and other special treats!”
To see more photos, click here.
Professional development opportunities like this are made possible by the generosity of the Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ and your support of the UJA Annual Campaign.