Our purpose
To provide support, professional development, opportunities for dialogue, information and resources to individuals and organizations interested in the Reggio philosophy.
As an organization inspired by the Reggio Approach to education, we advocate for education grounded in democratic principles where children have rights of citizenship from birth. We support an image of children as curious, imaginative, resourceful, capable, and intelligent, who construct their understandings from rich educational environments in dialogue with peers and responsive educators. We advocate for schools that provide environments where children are protagonists in their learning and where there are opportunities for children to express their thinking in diverse ways that include the arts.
We believe that although the principles which ground the Reggio philosophy were originally developed in centres for young children, these principles are relevant to learners of all ages.
We are inspired by the work which began in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Reggio Approach is not a method to be replicated but serves as a provocation and challenge to educators around the world. The context in which we work is a Canadian context where community, culture and perspective differ from the Italian context. We respect the frame of reference that each individual and organization brings to our association. This association respects the original philosophy from Reggio Emilia while being mindful of the communities of learning with whom we interact.
As an organization inspired by the Reggio Approach to education, we advocate for education grounded in democratic principles where children have rights of citizenship from birth. We support an image of children as curious, imaginative, resourceful, capable, and intelligent, who construct their understandings from rich educational environments in dialogue with peers and responsive educators. We advocate for schools that provide environments where children are protagonists in their learning and where there are opportunities for children to express their thinking in diverse ways that include the arts.
We believe that although the principles which ground the Reggio philosophy were originally developed in centres for young children, these principles are relevant to learners of all ages.
We are inspired by the work which began in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Reggio Approach is not a method to be replicated but serves as a provocation and challenge to educators around the world. The context in which we work is a Canadian context where community, culture and perspective differ from the Italian context. We respect the frame of reference that each individual and organization brings to our association. This association respects the original philosophy from Reggio Emilia while being mindful of the communities of learning with whom we interact.
2022 - 2023 Board of Directors
President - Pat Tarr Director - Liz Ardell
President Elect - Karlee Zelmer Director- Laurie Androsoff
Treasurer - Alison Humphrys Director -Linda O’Donoghue
Secretary - Rachel Duncan Director- Fabiola Barrios
Communication Liaison - Sayward Wilkinson Blanc Director- Sharlene Irwin
Resource Coordinator - Henna Viertio
President Elect - Karlee Zelmer Director- Laurie Androsoff
Treasurer - Alison Humphrys Director -Linda O’Donoghue
Secretary - Rachel Duncan Director- Fabiola Barrios
Communication Liaison - Sayward Wilkinson Blanc Director- Sharlene Irwin
Resource Coordinator - Henna Viertio
History of the Calgary Reggio Network Association
The Calgary Reggio Network Association grew out of the Reggio Revisited Exhibition held by local teachers inspired by the Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit from Reggio Emilia, Italy. This exhibit was hosted in Calgary in 1997. At that time, an informal network of approximately 30 teachers was formed to engage in opportunities for dialogue and mutual support as they explored the Reggio philosophy. The network continued to grow and began offering professional development opportunities through network meetings and collaborating with other organizations to host summer institutes. When the Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit returned in 2006, it generated great interest within the Calgary community and across Western Canada. In 2007, the Calgary Reggio Network Association (CRNA) formalized its status as a non-profit society. The CRNA currently boasts a diverse membership of over 900 which includes educators, parents, child care providers, artists, social workers and other professionals.
