Marina Rodriguez
Site Co-Director and Mentor Coach All Our Kin New Haven, CT
Expert
IL Practice
Movement Building
Public Policy
Research
- Status
- Ongoing
- Makeup
- Field-building Collaborative
- Organization
- Trust for Learning
- Contact
- Chrisanne Gayl, Senior Director of Policy and Programs, Trust for Learning, [email protected]
The Ideal Learning Roundtable (ILR) is a group of developmental early childhood education experts who work collectively toward equitable expansion of ideal learning for underserved young children, families, and communities.
Context and Need
Since its founding in 2015, leaders in high-quality early education have come together as part of the ILR to build relationships, share ideas, and expand access to quality early learning opportunities for all children. Members include representatives from All Our Kin, AVANCE, Bank Street, Children’s Equity Project, Educare, EL Education, Family Spirit, Friends Center for Children, HighScope, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Tools of the Mind, and Waldorf. The group meets regularly to engage in collaborative initiatives, joint advocacy, and public partnerships. The group also aims to enrich the field of early education, learn from each other’s perspectives, support efforts to incorporate more tangible equity and antiracist practice, inform research, and support storytelling and media efforts.
Goals and Impact
Over time, the ILR has strengthened the ideal learning movement through its thought leadership and collective influence. The group developed the principles of ideal learning environments, which outline core concepts that form the foundation of quality early childhood education. More recently, the ILR has produced new policy-focused resources including Pathways for Early Educator Development and Nurturing all Children in Nature. The group also engages collectively in national policy conversations to improve early learning environments for children, families, and communities across publicly-funded settings.
“I have been inspired/challenged to really think about how we can work together to advocate and increase access to ILR opportunities for children from under-served communities in the public space; this is my heart’s desire. I value so much the opportunity to speak in a collective voice, it is not about promoting one approach; it is about promoting and defending the right every child has to early childhood education and a childhood that respects and values their unique capabilities and potential. So grateful for this opportunity to serve. learn, grow, advocate and help effect change for children, teachers and families!” – ILR Participant
