Kindergarten plays a unique role in a child’s life when language, literacy, science and math take on real meaning through play and active learning. It is a year filled with discovery, wonder, creativity and friendship. This year’s focus, Sowing the Seeds of Social Justice, emphasizes the role of teachers as they inspire children to be empathetic members of their community and learn what it means to advocate for fairness.
Betsy Grob is an early childhood specialist who served on the faculty of Bank Street College for over 20 years. She currently advises students in the Graduate Program in Early Childhood Education at City College and at City College’s Center for Worker Education, both in New York City. In addition, Grob facilitates professional development for early childhood educators in the New York metropolitan area as well as in many countries around the world including Sierra Leone, Chile, Romania, Mongolia, and Azerbaijan. She has taught kindergarten, first grade, and early childhood Spanish in New York City and Colorado. Grob is co-author of Teaching Kindergarten: Learner-Centered Classrooms for the 21st Century (Teachers College Press, 2015) and is co-author of The Right to Learn: Preparing Early Childhood Teachers to Work in High-Needs Schools (Bank Street College’s Occasional Paper Series, Number 25, 2010). She holds an MS in and an EdM in education, both from Bank Street College.
Fretta Reitzes has been a classroom teacher, educational therapist, teaching artist, parent educator, and author. During her thirty-five year tenure at the 92nd Street Y, she was the founder and director of the annual Wonderplay Conference, director of the Y’s Goldman Center for Youth & Family, and director of the Parenting Center. Presently, she consults with early childhood teachers, administrators, and school leadership. In 2016, Reitzes developed On-Kindness, a project that provides tools and perspectives about creating a culture of kindness and presents lectures/ workshops at schools, universities and community centers. She is adjunct faculty at City College’s Center for Worker Education in New York City. Reitzes is co-author of Teaching Kindergarten: Learner-Centered Classrooms for the 21st Century (Teachers College Press, 2015); WonderPlay, and WonderPlay Too! (Running Press, 1995 and 2005), and The Right to Learn: Preparing Early Childhood Teachers to Work in High-Needs Schools (Bank Street College’s Occasional Paper Series, Number 25, 2010). She holds an MSEd in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College.
We wish to thank Community Playthings for their support.
