December 15, 2022

This week we are sharing an excerpt from another essay by Carlina Rinaldi, the revolutionary thinker and world leader in education, acclaimed for her lectures and research on the educational project of Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy.

This message comes to you in the spirit of what the poet Marilyn Nelson calls "Generous Listening" and we send this brief reflection with gratitude for all those who are participating in our Learning Groups at Sabot—whether by attending our in-person gatherings, reading these bi-weekly reflections, or simply showing up as members within our community each day in a posture of listening, of openness. As we have said before, just as there are a hundred languages to express and communicate what we know, so there are a hundred ways of participating in community. We value all of them.

It is a posture of listening—that is, a posture of deep and singular attention to a story, a theory, a question, a trouble, a triumph—that our finest teacher-researchers assume when engaging with their students. As Nelson writes:

[the] mind fireworks with unasked questions.

Who is this miracle speaking to me? 

And who is this miracle listening? 

What amazingness are we creating?

Out of gray matter a star spark of thought...

Of course there is always, too, the loud and distracted world of which we are also participants and many voices are vying for our listening, but Rinaldi's essay, linked here, speaks to the unique "capacity for reciprocal listening" and the power and "value of learning that is collective, collaborative and democratic." It's a fascinating read. For us at Sabot, this kind of listening is our great hope; it is what drives our pedagogy, our mission, and our vision. It is a pedagogy that depends on relationship.

We are honored by the one we share with you.