Recently, members of the Woodbridge School leadership and teaching team traveled to Boulder, Colorado, for an immersive professional learning experience at Boulder Journey School (BJS), an internationally recognized leader in innovative early childhood education inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. For more than 25 years, BJS has been studying and evolving practices that place children’s curiosity, relationships, creativity, and research at the center of learning.
This incredible opportunity was made possible through a generous Cummings Foundation grant, awarded specifically to provide Woodbridge educators with high-quality professional development that aligns with our philosophy and commitment to providing the best possible learning experiences for children. We are deeply grateful for this investment in our teachers and school community.
Over two days, our team toured classrooms and learning environments, observed children and educators engaged in meaningful investigations, and participated in rich discussions with Boulder Journey School faculty. We explored how thoughtfully designed environments, materials, relationships, and documentation can support children’s thinking and make learning visible. BJS’s contextual curriculum emphasizes that learning develops through experiences, relationships, family, culture, and community rather than through a predetermined path, a perspective that closely resonates with our work at Woodbridge School.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the visit was the opportunity to learn alongside educators who view both children and adults as researchers and lifelong learners. Boulder Journey School is known for fostering a culture of inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and innovation, and we left inspired by the way they continually study, refine, and strengthen their practice.
As a school committed to continuous growth, we believe that when teachers learn, children benefit. We returned with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and renewed inspiration that will help strengthen our work as we continue creating engaging, meaningful, learning experiences for our children and families.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Cummings Foundation for making this transformative experience possible and to the faculty at Boulder Journey School for so generously sharing their knowledge, experiences, and passion for education. We look forward to bringing this learning back to Woodbridge School in Andover, MA and continuing the journey together.
