Registration for workshops & videochats closes 2 hours before the event.

"The Beauty of Brown" IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
with Jahidah Diaab
at 130 E. 16th St. NY, NY
Monday, March 3rd, 5:00-6:30 PM (ET)

Brown is an often overlooked, underused color. Unfortunately, in the classroom, it is underrated, unexplored and many times completely ignored. The lonely brown crayon that is left in the box. The color not sung in the rainbow.  What if we could inspire, engage and provoke children with the Beauty of Brown without addressing race, culture or identity? Is there a way we can awaken children to the beauty of brown? Learn to appreciate all the possibilities of dirt and mud, and experiment with the language surrounding the color brown. Inspire a different perspective in young minds when they see this color in their classrooms, whether it is a doll, a marker, a piece of paper, and, yes, even that lonely brown crayon that always gets chosen last. Brown is more than ‘yucky;’ it’s fun! Join Jahidah Diaab and be inspired by The Beauty of Brown in your classroom.

BIO: Jahidah Diaab is the Curriculum Specialist at Barrow Street Nursery School in NYC. Jahidah has worked with young children for 20 years, ranging from autistic to gifted. She began her first introduction to children at the Herbert G. Birch School. She then went on to teach the arts at Hunter Elementary School for the Gifted, The Dalton School, and Ethical Culture Fieldston School. She joined the team of teachers at Beginnings Nursery School where she began her role as a classroom teacher. Jahidah joined  The Blue School during its developing stages supporting the admissions process, then becoming a lead 2’s teacher in the Pre- Primary Program which was a parent- child half day program. She has spent 10 years as a Head 2’s teacher at Chelsea Day School.  She has also spent time at Brooklyn College as the Creative Arts Curriculum Director. Her role at the center was to make the children’s learning visible through videography and documentation.  Simultaneously, she enjoyed working as an Adjunct Instructor, teaching aspiring students the value of play in early childhood development.  Jahidah Diaab has a B.A. in fine arts and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education—Birth through Second Grade. She enjoys writing, producing plays and short films in her spare time. She is raising two wonderful loving boys and enjoys all things that revolve around nature.  She has had the opportunity to present on several educational platforms, most recently The Little Sprouts Conference  'Using Nature to Teach D.E.I.J Work' as well as The P.O.C.C Conference where she presented in person The Beauty of Brown.

"Materials Project: Rubber/Silicone" VIDEOCHAT
with Heather Jackson
Wednesday, March 26th, 3:00-4:00 PM (ET)

How do we transform rubber and silicone into a familiar material for young children? Join Heather Jackson, Executive Director of The Sunflower School in Ontario Canada, as she shares how various age-groups, from infants to pre-schoolers, learned how to use rubber/silicone (unique but accessible materials) to explore and discover in the early childhood classroom. There will be handouts, resources, and time for questions.

BIO: Heather Jackson, RECE is the Executive Director of The Sunflower School She received her ECE from Humber College and has over 30 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Her passion is early childhood education with a difference.  She has worked for the City of Scarborough in their workplace childcare center: Squirrels Nest/Orchard Grove Parent Cooperative in Scarborough/ Metro Toronto Children’s Services and then for the past ten years she was the Executive Director of Milton Community Resource Centre.  She has also been part of seven childcare centers opening in Ontario over the past 20 years.

"Materials Project: Metal" VIDEOCHAT
with Heather Jackson
Wednesday, May 7th, 3:00-4:00 PM (ET)

How can a non- traditional material in early childhood become a friendly, malleable resource for our classrooms? Join Heather Jackson, Executive Director of The Sunflower School in Ontario Canada, as she shares how various age-groups, from infants to pre-schoolers, uncovered the reflective, sticky, and unique features of metal. There will be handouts, resources, and time for questions.

BIO: Heather Jackson, RECE is the Executive Director of The Sunflower School She received her ECE from Humber College and has over 30 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Her passion is early childhood education with a difference.  She has worked for the City of Scarborough in their workplace childcare center: Squirrels Nest/Orchard Grove Parent Cooperative in Scarborough/ Metro Toronto Children’s Services and then for the past ten years she was the Executive Director of Milton Community Resource Centre.  She has also been part of seven childcare centers opening in Ontario over the past 20 years.

If you previously attended a videochat and need a certificate of participation,
you can request one here.