Our History

In the spring of 2014, several educators from Marygrove College formed Connecting Through the Arts & Education, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to bring diverse families together around an interest in child-centered, inquiry-based education. By fall of the same year, we opened Scuola Creativa in Ferndale, Michigan, a one-room preschool for children ages three to five. In 2018, Scuola relocated to Royal Oak, Michigan, adding a classroom for infants and toddlers.

In 2023, Scuola Creativa expanded into two sites: The Nest for children aged two and under and The Meadow for children aged three to five. Each site includes two classrooms, an atelier (art studio) and an outdoor play space.

Core Values

  • We view children as competent, curious and full of potential, with ideas worth investigating through our curriculum.
  • We think of teachers as researchers, documenters, and lifelong learners.
  • We consider the classroom environment as the “third teacher,” thoughtfully designed to facilitate learning.
  • Our curriculum is inquiry-based, process-oriented and driven by the children’s and teachers’ interests.
  • We believe time outdoors, in all kinds of weather, provides valuable learning opportunities.
  • We value cooperation and collaboration among staff, families, and children.
  • We are committed to treating all children, families, and staff with respect and recognizing their rights.
  • We believe that diversity, in every sense of the word, enhances our learning environment.
  • We consider Anti-Bias Education and self-reflection critical for our individual and collective growth.
  • We value continuity of care from home to school, spanning from toddlerhood through the preschool years.

Philosophy

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education, Scuola Creativa partners with children, families, and the community to provide an inquiry-based education for young learners. Scuola Creativa upholds an image of the child as a powerful, competent, capable, and integral member of the community. We envision each family as unique, deserving of respect, and the center of the child’s life. We acknowledge children’s ability to reflect upon and contribute to their own learning through their many languages of expression and communication. Our vision is to base decisions on the principles of Reggio Emilia, incorporating current research on learning and development.

Meet Our Educators

Our teachers and staff are what make Scuola Creativa so special.

Anthony – The Meadow

Anthony (he/him)
Role: Lead Teacher – Dragonflies
Alma mater(s): Marygrove College
Research interests: community, language, Woodward
Something I love about Scuola: I love the passion the teachers possess for learning and teaching.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Charro; Azteca podcast; A Podcast with a Growth Mindset!
One thing you might not know about me: I used to be on a wrestling team and I broke my right arm at practice one day! There is now a large scar that kids always seem to notice! I’m sure I’ve told the “how I broke my arm” story thousands of times and am prepared to tell it many more times.

Tela – The Meadow

Tela (she/her)
Role: Teacher – Dragonflies
Something I love about Scuola: I love how involved the parents are here at Scuola
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: I am watching the original “Charmed” series
One thing you might not know about me: A fun fact about me is that I love to cook and I make press-on nails in my free time

Julian – The Meadow

Julian (he/him)
Role: Assistant Teacher – Dragonflies and Monarchs; Aftercare Assistant
Alma mater(s): Grand Valley State University
Research interests: Music exploration (bluegrass, funk, classic rock), nature (bugs, plants), colors and emotion
Something I love about Scuola: How welcoming it feels here
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Rewatching episodes of Impractical Jokers
One thing you might not know about me: I have four older brothers and their initials are all JMN.

Larissa – The Meadow

Larissa (she/her)
Role: Lead teacher – Monarchs
Alma mater(s): U of M Dearborn
Research interests: Drawing for understanding, exploration of children’s rights in the classroom, connection to our local community, anti-basis work, general theory development, creating space for community play
Something I love about Scuola: The Scuola community of teachers, families and children has become like a family to me and taught me more about who I am as a person than I ever knew was possible. 
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: In my down time I love watching all sorts of Youtube videos about creative journaling. Some of my favorite channels are James Luke Burke Creative, Little Raven Ink and By Bun
One thing you might not know about me: Sometimes when I’m driving at night I quiz myself to see if I can figure out what model of car is driving just by looking at the shape of its headlights. I also love rock tumbling.

Katie – The Nest

Katie (she/they)
Role: Lead Teacher – Chickadees; Assistant Director
Alma mater(s): Kalamazoo College (BA in English), University of Colorado (Masters in Early Childhood Education)
Research interests: mealtime culture, atelier (art studio) practice, family partnerships, accessibility, anti-racist culture building, queer theory
Something I love about Scuola: This place is unlike anywhere else I’ve worked. We’re building a school culture that challenges everyone to think differently about what young children are capable of doing. The staff members are deep thinkers, who love to engage in conversations that challenge dominant discourses and think critically about their work. It offers a beautiful alternative to traditional early childhood settings, and it has become a very special community.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Reading: writing by Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Carson McCullers, Ali Smith, Hanif Abdurraqib, Eula Biss; Watching: old Simpsons episodes; Listening to: Bill Callahan, Dengue Fever
One thing you might not know about me: I drove a motorcycle through Northern Thailand (many years ago!)

Joel – The Nest

Joel (he/him, they/them) 
Role: Teacher – Chickadees
Alma mater(s): Ohio State University (BFA in Dance); University of Maryland Baltimore (MSW)
Research interests: Movement development; dance and expression; socio-emotional development; connection with nature
Something I love about Scuola: The children, staff and family community is collectively nurtured towards all that we can do – doing our best – for the children. Scuola offers a lovely and rich daily experience – everyone is always learning and growing lots together.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Instagram posts on child development and childcare
One thing you might not know about me: I can start a fire without a match and have slept in a debris hut that I made in winter!

Dianne – The Nest

Dianne (she/her)
Role: Assistant Teacher – Chickadees
Alma mater(s): Wayne State University, Oakland University
Something I love about Scuola: The feeling of being welcome
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Historical fiction novels
One thing you might not know about me: I swim laps and do water aerobics when the weather cooperates.

lee – The Nest

lee (they/them) 
Role: Assistant Teacher – Chickadees
Alma mater(s): Western Michigan University
Research interests: sensory systems, language and communication, ecology, embodiment
Something I love about Scuola: The care work. The seeds.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: “Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals” by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
One thing you might not know about me: I’m a twin.

Riley – The Nest

Riley (he/him)
Role: Lead Teacher – Robins
Alma mater(s): U of M Dearborn
Research interests: social-emotional development, music
Something I love about Scuola: The families and staff are the most wonderful I’ve ever worked with in my seven years of teaching!
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: “The Fateful Triangle” by Noam Chomsky; “The Rise of Endymion” by Dan Simmons

Mackenzie – The Nest

Mackenzie (she/her) 
Role:Teacher – Robins
Research interests: Nature and the world around us; how it works with us
Something I love about Scuola: The community
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: currently watching Master Chef

Jenn – The Nest

Jenn (she/her)
Role: Assistant Teacher – Robins
Alma mater(s): University of Michigan (undergrad); University of Illinois Chicago for OT school
Research interests: Collaborative and Proactive Solutions Model; relationship between anxiety and sensory processing 
Something I love about Scuola: The thoughtfulness and observation skills of the staff
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Caroline Polachek, TILT Parenting podcast
One thing you might not know about me: I ran a concert venue in the basement of my dorm in college.

Pauline – The Nest

Pauline
Role: Assistant Teacher – Robins
Alma mater(s):  University of Caen Normandie, France; Oakland Community College
Research interests: I have always loved cooking and baking. French and Italian cuisine are my favorites but I am also learning some Asian recipes. In connection to cooking, I like to grow my own aromatic herbs and vegetables. I really care about the environment and nature. I try to be as eco-friendly as I can. I like hiking and traveling around the world whenever I get the opportunity.
Something I love about Scuola: What I like about Scuola is the sense of community, the relationship between the children, the teachers and the parents based on communicating with others and social collaboration. I also like the freedom given to the children to let their creativity grow through exploration and discovery.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now:  I really loved reading the “My Brilliant Friend” tetralogy by Elena Ferrante. The last movie I saw in the theater was “Oppenheimer.” I like to listen to music, different kinds…Some artists I like: jain, Asaf Aridan. Beirut, Michael Kiwanuka, Kings of Leon and many others
One thing you might not know about me :I speak French and Italian. I was born and raised in Rouen, city of Normandy, France. I lived in Turin, Italy for a year.

Bryan

Bryan (he/him)
Role: Chef
Alma mater(s): Henry Ford College
Research interests: Graphic design and sociology
Something I love about Scuola: The welcoming and inviting environment
One thing you might not know about me: I lived in Mexico until I was 9 years old, then moved to Detroit in 2009.

Zora

Zora (she/her)
Role: Assistant Teacher – Monarchs (The Meadow)
Alma mater(s): Currently a student at Wayne State University
Research interests: Art-making and long-term projects with children
Something I love about Scuola: One thing I love about Scuola is how we value and respect the children as capable people, with unique voices and perspectives.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Currently re-reading “The Hunger Games” series in preparation for the new movie.
One thing you might not know about me: One thing you might not know about me is that I’ve also worked with lower elementary-age children as well as infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Spincer

Spincer (he/him)
Role: Substitute teacher at Nest and Meadow
Alma mater(s): Oakland University (Broadcast Journalism)
Research interests: Dance and expression
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: At the moment I’m watching “Grey’s Anatomy”

Steffanie Bowles – Director

Steffanie (she/her)
Role: Founder, Executive Director, Atelierista
Alma mater(s): Transylvania University (BA); Georgia Southern University (MEd, EdS); Savannah College of Art and Design (MFA); University of Georgia (PhD)
Research interests: Reggio-inspired curriculum design
Something I love about Scuola: Scuola is a real, live learning laboratory where we can explore and develop Reggio-inspired practices in an American setting.
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Detective shows on Britbox; Lasciate Che Vi Parli di Foglie (Let Me Tell You About Leaves); Kate Nash

Jamie Solomon – Director

Jamie (she/her)
Role: Director
Alma mater(s): University of Michigan (BA in Psychology); San Francisco State University (MA in Early Childhood Education)
Research interests: Gender development in young children and the role teachers play; Anti-bias Education and decolonizing our teaching practices & learning spaces; Children’s need for big-body play and risk-taking; Children’s sensory needs and the connection to success in school settings
Something I love about Scuola: The community! The families and teachers who are attracted to Scuola tend to be very thoughtful and creative people who are looking for an alternative experience to most other school settings. I love that the children here spend time engaging with materials and one another in a deep and meaningful way. The approach to teaching and learning is forward-thinking and dynamic.  
What I’m reading/watching/listening to right now: Listening: Classy, Truth Be Told (podcasts); Music: Allison Russell, The Internet, Japanese Breakfast; Reading: Memoirs by female authors 
One thing you might not know about me: My husband and I like to plan trips to places people generally recommend skipping over. Before having kids, we enjoyed outdoor rock climbing around the world.

Want to join the team?

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