Havens of Hope: Ideas for Redesigning Education from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Deemed essential in most US states and many countries throughout the world, a substantial number of early childhood centers remained open throughout the worst days of pandemic, economic uncertainty, and protests for racial equity.

Dr. Shira Leibowitz's center, Discovery Village Child Care and Preschool, located in downstate, New York, was one of the first COVID hotspots in the country. Seeking connection and companionship, she and other early childhood educators globally joined together during the worst of times for support and reflection. Havens of Hope shares the stories of resilience, creativity, and growth of schools and educators across the country including Hope Day School (Dallas, TX), Tomorrow's Promise (Huntsville, TX), Beacon Hebrew Alliance Preschool (Beacon, NY), Building Blocks Preschool (Highland, MI), Kaleidoscope Community School (Salem, OR), Muck and Wonder Farm School (Sacramento, CA), White Dove Montessori (Plano, TX), Koala Park Daycare (Tuckahoe, NY), Windsor Hill (Falmouth, ME), Acton Academy (Emerald Hills, CA), Farmingdale School District (Nassau County, NY), Larchmont Charter School (Los Angeles, CA), The Randolf School (Wappingers Falls, NY), Hudson Lab School (Hudson Valley, NY), Open School (Orange County, CA), Temple Beth Shalom (Melrose, MA), and My Reflection Matters Village (virtual co-learning community serving BIPOC family and educators).

Inspiring approaches to early childhood learning of the 20th century--Montessori, Waldorf, and especially Reggio, were born out of crisis. Could this be a founding moment? Might we be witnessing, and even participating in, the birth of new approaches to learning and care, resonating with the needs of our own times?