Who We Are

Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network

Supporting the professional growth and development of educators interested in expanding their knowledge of the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education. BARIN is recognized by the federal government as a 501c3, not-for-profit organization.

Mission Statement

The Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network (BARIN) supports the professional growth and development of educators interested in expanding their knowledge of the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education.

Rich and varied learning experiences are developed to enhance the participants understanding of the fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Establishing collaborative relationships between teachers from different schools is essential to our work. BARIN exists to foster a strong community of educators who are passionate about their work in Reggio inspired programs.

Board Members 

Megina Baker
Program Developer, Department of Early Childhood, Boston Public Schools

Suchira Channoi
Curriculum & Instructional Support Specialist, Worcester Head Start

Stephanie Cox Suarez, Co-Chair
Professor Emerita, BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and Founder of the Documentation Studio

Katy Donovan
Executive Director, Campus Child Care, Inc.

Vicky de la Garza
Atelierista, The Advent School

Angela Ferrario
Founder, International Study Tours

 

 

 

Amber Lowe, Co-Chair
Chief of Staff & Coordinator of Reggio-Inspired Programs, The Advent School

Yvonne Liu-Constant
Practitioner Specialist at Project Zero and Founder of Mathful Play

Caitlin Malloy
Director, Newtowne School

Hilary Odoy, Secretary
Early Childhood Education Consultant

Kelly Pellagrini
Co-Founder & Co-Director, Charlestown Nursery School 

 

Natacha Shillingford
Dean of Student Success & Belonging, The Advent School

Joanne Szamreta
Professor Emerita, Lesley University

Carlene Sherbourne
Education Manager, Worcester Head Start

Susan Twombly, Treasurer                          Instructor, Lesley University

Maggie Van Camp, BARIN Coordinator

 

What is the Reggio Emilia Approach?

Who is Loris
Malaguzzi?

 

The Reggio Emilia approach, founded by Loris Malaguzzi, is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy and approach to early childhood education has developed and and continues to evolve within a system of municipal infant-toddler centers and preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

The late Loris Malaguzzi, leader, philosopher and innovator in education, guided and directed the energies of parents and teachers who began the schools in the 1940’s.

The Reggio Emilia Approach is built upon a solid foundation of connected philosophical principles and extensive experience.

Educators in the Reggio schools believe that children have the right and the ability to express their thinking, theories, ideas, learning and emotions in many ways. 

Therefore, Reggio educators provide children with a diversity of experiences, so that children encounter many avenues for thinking, revising, constructing, negotiating, developing and symbolically expressing their thoughts and feelings.