Play in the Advent Atelier!

Join us for an evening educator workshop in Advent's Atelier! While we play with materials, including clay, we will discuss how the 100 lanaguges of children can be uplifted in all classrooms spaces. Advent's Atelierista will highlight emergent and long-term project work along with strategies for supporting playful exploration and discovery in all contexts. Watch this video for a sneak peek into Advent's Atelier and follow @advent_atelier to learn more!

Event Schedule:

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Arrival

Time to mingle with fellow educators and explore provocations in spaces. Drinks & light snacks will be served.

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Presentation & Hand-On Experience

Attendees will engage in two 30 min sessions:

• Atelier Presentation - We will take a closer look at what happens in the Atelier and consider how this playful exploration and learning can happen in any context. Examples of emergent, long-term student projects will be shared.
• Clay Exploration - We will watch a video of children exploring with clay while we get our hands dirty! We will share ideas of how the “language” of clay can be brought into our work with children.

7:30 - 8:00 p.m. - Optional Tour of Classrooms

Attendees have the option to stay longer to tour additional classroom spaces at The Advent School.

Registration is per person and limited to 30 attendees. Tickets are $15 (plus Eventbrite fees). We do not want financial hardship to be a barrier to participation. Please email [email protected] to learn more about scholarships.

Presenter Bios:

Vicky de la Garza B.A, M.A, M.Ed

Vicky is a bilingual educator proficient in both English and Spanish. She is currently the Atelierista at The Advent School, a Reggio-inspired elementary school in Boston. Her atelier embraces a play-based methodology that seamlessly integrates Art, Science, and Spanish. In this dynamic learning environment, the "100 languages of children" are celebrated and children are encouraged to take the lead and make their choices, express their voices, and assume full ownership of their learning journeys. Vicky has cultivated an ever-evolving environment full of emergent projects that mirror the inquiries, observations, and interests of the students. Her passion lies in collaboration and works closely with the children, co-constructing knowledge alongside them and collaborates with classroom teachers to establish connections between the emergent projects taking place in both the atelier and their classroom settings. Vicky has also worked as a Kindergarten teacher, Spanish teacher, and directed a home-based child care program. Vicky is a former adjunct professor at Umass Boston Department of Education and is always excited to offer workshops for teachers in both English and Spanish. Vicky's journey into the Reggio Emilia Approach began in 2014 when she joined The Advent School, and participated in a study group tour to Reggio Emilia in 2022. Vicky holds a B.A. in Educational Psychology from Labastida in Mexico, a M.Ed. in Quality of Education from UDLA, Mexico, and a second M.Ed. in Critical and Creative Thinking from UMASS Boston. She also serves as a board member of the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network.

Amber Lowe B.Ed, M.Ed

Amber has spent 15+ years teaching preschoolers and Kindergarteners and working in school administration in Reggio-Inspired settings in Canada and the U.S. She has a B.Ed in Elementary Education from McGill University and an M.Ed in Cultural & Policy Studies from Queen’s University. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Amber moved to Boston in 2007 and has worked at The Advent School, a Reggio-Inspired progressive elementary school with a social justice mission, for twelve years. During her teaching career, Amber created and oversaw a design and engineering summer program and coordinated Reggio-inspired educator programs. She transitioned into school administration in 2018 and is currently the Chief of Staff and Coordinator of Reggio-Inspired Programs at The Advent School. Amber’s journey into the Reggio Emilia Approach began in 2007 working in a Reggio-inspired preschool context. She visited Reggio Emilia in 2009 as part of a study group tour with Lesley University. Amber is also the co-chair of the Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network – a non-profit organization that works to support the professional growth and development of educators interested in expanding their knowledge of the Reggio Emilia Approach. She enjoys sharing and learning with fellow teachers, consulting as a pedagogical coach, and leading workshops on topics ranging from the Basic Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach, Emergent Curriculum & the Cycle of Co-Construction, and Social Justice Teaching Through Reggio-Inspired Practices.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

15 Brimmer St, 15 Brimmer Street, Boston, United States