Our stories are who we are, as individuals and as a community. Life is better with stories. One could wonder, is there even life without them?
Stories from the Field has evolved into a colorful thread of sharing inspirational stories of reflective practice in our Jewish Early Childhood Education settings.
In 2020, following the cancellation of many in-person professional development experiences, we had a need for Jewish holiday reflection, so Judi Morosohk and Veronica Maravankin thoughtfully cultivated opportunities for educators to share stories from the field in the Paradigm Project webinar series, Rhythms of the Jewish Year. Judi and Veronica agree with philosopher John Dewey, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.” The reflective process brings participants to new, deeper understandings in their own journey.
Throughout North America, brave Paradigm Project shifters have presented their stories in person at conferences and pop ups. As participants hear other educators’ experiences and profound journeys, they have an opportunity to build connections between another’s journey and their own. Stories from the Field bring us together across great distances, inviting us to listen and collaborate, regardless of our titles.
In preparation for The Paradigm Project 2023 Annual Conference, Veronica Maravankin, Eli Eshel, and Lisa Plotkin continued coaching educators from around the country to present their Stories from the Field in person. This spectacular series of presentations and the ensuing inspiration sparked a conversation between Anna Hartman and Jenna Turner, “Wouldn’t it be cool if educators could have an even greater impact by sharing their stories?” The conversation shifted to, “How might we amplify this positive impact and increase accessibility?” A video tool that could be used for professional development was born! Thanks to our working partner, Tiny Windows LLC, the vision became reality.
Stories from the Field are intended to highlight the process and power of reflection. Each story is unique to the presenter’s personal experience. Through collegial, reflective coaching, we dig deep to uncover a positive shift in their practice, often a wondrous a-ha moment. The Jewish lenses live through this experience and help to shed light on the beautiful depth of our daily work and joy.
We are thrilled to launch the next iteration of this ongoing process - The Stories from the Field Video Collection! We invite you to watch these short 10-minute vignettes to hear from educators across the country, and be inspired by their reflective journeys!
It is our hope to grow this platform; we invite educators in any role to contact us to share their ideas, inquiries, and stories. Even a twinkle of an idea from, yes, YOU! could end up as an inspiring Story from the Field, and we can help. Email Eli & Lisa at [email protected] with your thoughts or to hint at a colleague’s story for us to contact them.
Stories from the Field has evolved into a colorful thread of sharing inspirational stories of reflective practice in our Jewish Early Childhood Education settings.
In 2020, following the cancellation of many in-person professional development experiences, we had a need for Jewish holiday reflection, so Judi Morosohk and Veronica Maravankin thoughtfully cultivated opportunities for educators to share stories from the field in the Paradigm Project webinar series, Rhythms of the Jewish Year. Judi and Veronica agree with philosopher John Dewey, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.” The reflective process brings participants to new, deeper understandings in their own journey.
Throughout North America, brave Paradigm Project shifters have presented their stories in person at conferences and pop ups. As participants hear other educators’ experiences and profound journeys, they have an opportunity to build connections between another’s journey and their own. Stories from the Field bring us together across great distances, inviting us to listen and collaborate, regardless of our titles.
In preparation for The Paradigm Project 2023 Annual Conference, Veronica Maravankin, Eli Eshel, and Lisa Plotkin continued coaching educators from around the country to present their Stories from the Field in person. This spectacular series of presentations and the ensuing inspiration sparked a conversation between Anna Hartman and Jenna Turner, “Wouldn’t it be cool if educators could have an even greater impact by sharing their stories?” The conversation shifted to, “How might we amplify this positive impact and increase accessibility?” A video tool that could be used for professional development was born! Thanks to our working partner, Tiny Windows LLC, the vision became reality.
Stories from the Field are intended to highlight the process and power of reflection. Each story is unique to the presenter’s personal experience. Through collegial, reflective coaching, we dig deep to uncover a positive shift in their practice, often a wondrous a-ha moment. The Jewish lenses live through this experience and help to shed light on the beautiful depth of our daily work and joy.
We are thrilled to launch the next iteration of this ongoing process - The Stories from the Field Video Collection! We invite you to watch these short 10-minute vignettes to hear from educators across the country, and be inspired by their reflective journeys!
It is our hope to grow this platform; we invite educators in any role to contact us to share their ideas, inquiries, and stories. Even a twinkle of an idea from, yes, YOU! could end up as an inspiring Story from the Field, and we can help. Email Eli & Lisa at [email protected] with your thoughts or to hint at a colleague’s story for us to contact them.
Eli Eshel, Classroom Educator
Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Learning a Language, 2023
Loris Malaguzzi said, “The child has a hundred languages.” Listen to Eli’s reflection of learning through different languages and intentionally bringing her reflective process into the classroom.
Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Learning a Language, 2023
Loris Malaguzzi said, “The child has a hundred languages.” Listen to Eli’s reflection of learning through different languages and intentionally bringing her reflective process into the classroom.
Anne Schwartz, Kindergarten Teacher
CBI Forest School
Charlottesville, Virginia
One Single Photo, 2023
Carla Rinaldi said, “Documentation is not about what we do but what we are searching for.” Hear how Anne chooses what to document and share with families through a powerful, intentional, and inspiring tool.
CBI Forest School
Charlottesville, Virginia
One Single Photo, 2023
Carla Rinaldi said, “Documentation is not about what we do but what we are searching for.” Hear how Anne chooses what to document and share with families through a powerful, intentional, and inspiring tool.
Mindy Oswalt, Lead Teacher
Temple Beth Hillel ECE
Los Angeles, California
My Journey to ECE, 2024
According to Martha Stewart, “If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.” Hear about Mindy’s inspiring journey and her passion for lifelong learning.
Temple Beth Hillel ECE
Los Angeles, California
My Journey to ECE, 2024
According to Martha Stewart, “If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.” Hear about Mindy’s inspiring journey and her passion for lifelong learning.
