March 1, 2025
We are now a few months away from the end of this school year, a year that marked the beginning of a new journey, an exciting and deeply transformative journey toward the adoption of the IB PYP (Primary Years Program) framework.
My reflections on this journey
I cannot hide the fact that, at first, becoming familiar with PYP and thoroughly understanding its philosophy stirred a roller coaster of emotions in me. On the one hand, I was fascinated by the novelty, intrigued by the opportunities this change would bring and motivated by the desire to contribute to the growth of our school. On the other, I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of the transformation that awaited us and the responsibility of guiding children on this new educational adventure.
The IB PYP framework takes an inquiry-based approach, putting active and meaningful learning at the center. This model promotes the development of curious, reflective and competent learners, encouraging them to become knowledgeable world citizens with an open mind and an authentic commitment to making the world a better place.
As an educator, I have always believed in the value of the learning process. The idea of developing in children the ability to “learn how to learn” rather than just “what to learn” has always been at the core of my pedagogical practice. PYP only reinforces this perspective, enhancing the hundred languages of childhood and offering tools to explore, experiment and construct knowledge in dynamic and interconnected ways.
Nearing the end of the school year, I pause to reflect on my professional transformations, and my personal growth. Adopting the IB PYP framework has meant challenging myself, questioning established practices, and opening myself to new perspectives on learning and teaching. Every change brings with it challenges, but also opportunities for evolution, and this journey has prompted me to reflect deeply on my role as an educator and my capacity for adaptation, innovation, and resilience.
None of this would have been possible without leadership of my principal Dr. Cascianelli that has believed in me, that encourages me to reach my potential, and that pushes me to no longer stay behind the scenes. Being part of a team that values ideas, supports growth, and fosters a collaborative environment has been critical in this journey. Feeling supported and inspired has allowed me to face challenges with enthusiasm and turn them into opportunities for continuous learning and improvement.
Looking back, I realize how much this journey has enriched not only the way I teach, but also the way I am. Change is never easy, but when it is guided by a clear and shared vision, it becomes an extraordinary opportunity for growth for all.
