Featuring:
Valentina Violi, pedagogista
Valentina graduated with a degree in psychology in 2000. She worked as a psychologist from 2003 to 2010, including positions at the University Hospital of Modena in various pediatric wards and as a freelance psychologist. Since 2008, she has worked as a pedagogista, serving as a pedagogical coordinator for Coopselios, the municipality of Reggio Emilia, and Cooperativa Sociale Solidarietà 90. From 2016 to the present, she has been a pedagogista for the Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers – Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, coordinating early childhood educational services and projects for children with special rights.
Lorenza Bianchi, teacher
Lorenza graduated from the Istituto Magistrale of Parma in 1992. She began her career as a teacher and a Catholic religion specialist in state schools in Parma, where she worked for 5 school years. In 2001, after passing a qualifying exam that allowed her to teach in both primary schools and preschools, she began her experience at the municipal preschools of Reggio Emilia, first with a part-time job in the extended-time classrooms, then as a permanent teacher. After working for some years first at the Diana preschool, she moved to the 8 Marzo preschool, where she still works. Since 2011, she has been a teacher in a mixed-age group.
Lorenza collaborates with Reggio Children, participating in study groups for teachers and educators, contributing to the dissemination and deepening of the Reggio Emilia pedagogical approach. In her free time, Lorenza enjoys amateur theater and singing. Her talents are put to good use as a volunteer narrator for the annual "Reggio Narra" event, showcasing her strong cultural and emotional ties to Reggio Emilia, even though she lives in Parma.
Mirella Ruozzi, atelierista
Mirella completed her art school diploma course, in ceramics, at the Gaetano Chierici Art School in Reggio Emilia in 1972, and the professional exam to qualify as a teacher of arts education in middle schools in 1973. From 1975 to 2016, Mirella was an atelierista with the Preschools and Infant-toddler Centers – Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. She was the atelierista of the Ada Gobetti Municipal Infant-toddler Center, and the Ernesto Balducci Municipal Preschool. Mirella has collaborated with Reggio Emilia municipal infant-toddler centers: Genoeffa Cervi, Peter Pan, Luigi Bellelli, Gianni Rodari, and Pablo Picasso.
In 2001, Mirella began curating projects on research, professional development, and more in-depth investigation at the Gianni Rodari Theatre Workshop through the Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers – Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. She has collaborated on and curated several educational and professional learning projects for the Istituzione. She collaborates with Reggio Children on exhibitions, ateliers, publishing projects, and professional development courses by participating in seminars and workshops in Italy and overseas.
Location:
Conference:
Zoom Livestream
Exhibit:
N/A
Downloadable Links:
Have questions?
Note:
To save on conference fees, become a paid NAREA member.
By becoming a member at the rate of $40 (retired), $45 (school associate), or $100 (participant), registrants receive $100 conference discount and additional benefits throughout the membership year. Please review our membership benefits & pricing page for more information.
Memberships follow the calendar year (January through December). Renewal for the 2026 membership year begins October 1, 2025.
Schedule
Please note: The conference will be held on October 9 and 10, with a third session taking place a week later, on October 17.
The program varies from conference to conference. Typical features might include: presentations and reflections by noted representatives from Reggio Emilia and/or North America, live chat features, opportunity for questions and answers, and follow up opportunities.
October 9, 2025 session will begin at 9:00 am and conclude around 12:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time).
October 10, 2025 session will begin at 9:00 am and conclude around 12:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time).
October 17, 2025 session will begin at 9:00 am and conclude around 12:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time).
Final details will be sent to participants in a logistics email 2-3 days prior to the conference.
Cost Info
Lodging
There is no lodging information associated with this virtual conference.
About the City
Please join us from the comfort of your own city. No travel is necessary for this conference, and we look forward to virtually convening on Zoom’s platform.
For More Information
NAREA Office | narea@reggioalliance.org | 770.552.0179
Registration will close by October 6, 2025.
If you are using a purchase order to complete registration, please complete the attached registration form for members or non-members and return to: narea@reggioalliance.org