St. Margaret’s Educators Draw National Attention at NAEYC Conference

Dr. Sonia Yoshizawa, Early School assistant director and pedagogista, and Early School teacher Kat Moore presented their work last week at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Annual Conference, the nation’s largest gathering devoted to early learning.

Their session, Nurturing Creativity: Teaching Art and Documenting Learning in the Preschool Classroom, drew about 80 participants showcasing a growing national interest in approaches that place students’ creativity and thinking at the center of classroom practice. The presentation highlighted the curriculum of Mrs. Moore’s classroom as well as the pedagogical principles detailed in Dr. Yoshizawa’s book published by NAEYC.

In a talk that blended research, classroom storytelling, and hands-on exploration, both Mrs. Moore and Dr. Yoshizawa invited participants into a Reggio Emilia–inspired environment, one in which young students are regarded as capable, curious learners who communicate their ideas through many expressive “languages.” The session focused on how purposeful art experiences enrich preschool learning and celebrate each child’s individuality.

The session’s focus on tools for documenting students’ work through notes, photographs, and curated work samples. The tools and examples shared during the discussion included videos of classroom dialogue and demonstrations of how educators can honor children’s ideas while creating deeper partnerships with families.

The presentation marked professional recognition and also a celebration of St. Margaret’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful, child-centered pedagogy. Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Yoshizawa noted that “the presentation was well attended by enthusiastic early childhood educators from across the U.S. and abroad.”