Learning Opportunities
✼ Grow Together Gatherings ✼
opportunities to collaborate with educators to share, learn, and advocate for important topics across schools and communities
If you would like to be added to our mailing list to hear about future events, please complete this google form.
Our Mission
As early childhood educators, we know the importance play holds in the lives of young children. We see it as essential for social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development, as well as community and relationship-building. We also know play is a pathway for children to begin to grapple with questions of equity and justice.
We want to gather like-minded grownups to reimagine how we can support play in our homes, schools, and communities and ensure access to play for all children, regardless of race, neurodiversity, or socioeconomic status.
Join our think tank leadership team to brainstorm, gain and share resources, and name action steps!
Gathering Dates
Upcoming Gatherings
February 26, 2025 (virtual)
May 7, 2025 (virtual)
Past Gatherings
November 2024 in Boston, MA - NCTE Annual Convention (in-person) Members of the Play Gathering leadership team will present on elevating play across the curriculum and outdoor learning at the NCTE annual convention on Saturday 11/23 and Sunday 11/24!
October 23, 2024 (virtual) - Our leadership team will facilitate the discussion and sharing of ideas connected to multiple play-based learning topics including social-emotional learning and ways to advocate for play in schools and beyond. Please come to share and learn!
August 14, 2024 (virtual)
July 16-18th - Growing Together Summer Summit (virtual)
March 13th and May 1st, 2024 (virtual)
November 18, 2023 in Columbus, OH - NCTE Annual Convention (in-person) Members of the Play Gathering leadership presented on play and its affordances at the NCTE annual convention!
Summer 2023 Gatherings - July 12th and August 9th 7:30pmET (virtual) Summer gatherings were focused on readings, discussion, & ideas for individual and collective next steps.
April 26, 2023 - Our first gathering! (virtual)
If you would like to be added to our mailing list to hear about future events, please complete this google form.
Thank you!
Meet the Early Childhood Think Tank Co-Leaders!
AIDA
Aida Sanchez-Lobashov is an early childhood educator and teacher leader in New York City. Aida is passionate about integrating play, literacy and social emotional education with culturally responsive and sustaining education practices. Aida works in her school as a data specialist, special education teacher, equity leader and supports her school with family engagement. She has presented both locally and nationally, including the NCTE annual conference.
ALISON
Alison Porcelli is a district-wide staff developer in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District in Westchester County, NY. She is the co-author of 2 books published by Heinemann on the role of play in learning: Purposeful Play and A Quick Guide to Boosting English Language Acquisition through Choice Time. Alison is a former building administrator, staff developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and early childhood teacher. She and her family reside in Bedford, NY.
RACHEL
Rachel Rothman-Perkins is an education consultant supporting schools, leading workshops, and facilitating collaborative think tanks for educators to grow their teaching passion and practice together. Her commitment to providing energizing and empowering learning opportunities for early childhood educators focused on culturally and developmentally responsive practices led her to form We Grow Together, LLC. Rachel is a former staff developer at the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, school-based literacy coach, and classroom teacher.
Fanny Naula, Jackie Kovatch, Lindsay Mann, Liz Franchi, Shan White, and Tea Forsythe
We look forward to connecting with you!