My name is Eleanora Linder. I have a Masters in Early Childhood Education: Curriculum and Learning from William Paterson University and hold a New Jersey State license to teach Preschool thru 3rd grade. I graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a dual Bachelor's degree in psychology and music. In 1982 I received an AMS Montessori Preschool Diploma. As an early childhood educator, I've been working with children for over 40 years in private and public settings as a private piano and flute instructor, founder/director of a music, poetry and art program for 3-5 year old children called the Musical Tinderbox, lead classroom teacher in private and corporate preschool settings, university professor and educational consultant for early childhood preschools. Holding these positions, I have the privilege of working with children, families, administrations and colleagues alike.
I am an executive board member and held positions as roundtable chair, membership and treasurer for New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia, Inc. (NJEEPRE), a non-profit organization supporting Reggio-inspired schools and institutions of learning.
Connecting children with nature is an important aspect of my work. I feel responsible to grow a community of learners who are kind, helpful, accepting and loyal to one another as well as knowledgeable and respectful of nature and the natural environment of the earth. School is a place where children call each other "friend" and can depend on the adults to care and support their learning and growth with joy and knowledge of what they need to support and encourage their curiosities, interests and passions. I strive to have my curriculum and classroom learning environment reflect these values.
My teaching philosophy and practices are greatly influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early education, the work of Maria Montessori, Bank Street College of Education, and those that look for innovative ways to see the child and teacher as exploring, discovering, inquiring and constructing knowledge together. The great minds in education and psychology such as Piaget, Bruner, Erikson, Gardner and Vygotsky serve as foundations for my philosophy and teaching practice.
I am an executive board member and held positions as roundtable chair, membership and treasurer for New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia, Inc. (NJEEPRE), a non-profit organization supporting Reggio-inspired schools and institutions of learning.
Connecting children with nature is an important aspect of my work. I feel responsible to grow a community of learners who are kind, helpful, accepting and loyal to one another as well as knowledgeable and respectful of nature and the natural environment of the earth. School is a place where children call each other "friend" and can depend on the adults to care and support their learning and growth with joy and knowledge of what they need to support and encourage their curiosities, interests and passions. I strive to have my curriculum and classroom learning environment reflect these values.
My teaching philosophy and practices are greatly influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early education, the work of Maria Montessori, Bank Street College of Education, and those that look for innovative ways to see the child and teacher as exploring, discovering, inquiring and constructing knowledge together. The great minds in education and psychology such as Piaget, Bruner, Erikson, Gardner and Vygotsky serve as foundations for my philosophy and teaching practice.
My passion for the Reggio Emilia Approach moved me to travel with American delegates to tour the preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy in May 2010. I visited the preschools and infant toddler centers of the municipality of the Reggio Emilia Insititizone, dialogued with other early childhood educators from around the world, and attended inspiring lectures at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center. My second visit to Italy in 2015, I spent 6 weeks immersed in the culture living and enjoying Italian families and their children.
My interest in exploring and learning more about the Reggio principles and practice has led me to focus on the image of the child as strong, competent and curious, The Hundred Languages of Children, the teacher as researcher and guide, and the learning environment as "the third teacher."
I am married and have two young adult children who are following their passions in the fields of design technology and bio-medical bio-molecular doctorate studies. I have a sweet and gentle goldendoodle named Palmer.
My interest in exploring and learning more about the Reggio principles and practice has led me to focus on the image of the child as strong, competent and curious, The Hundred Languages of Children, the teacher as researcher and guide, and the learning environment as "the third teacher."
I am married and have two young adult children who are following their passions in the fields of design technology and bio-medical bio-molecular doctorate studies. I have a sweet and gentle goldendoodle named Palmer.
