by I just received the tragic news that another giant of progressive education has passed. Lella Gandini did as much as anyone to popularize and demystify the powerful ideas of the Reggio Emilia Approach, certainly in the English-speaking world. Dr. Gandini served as Reggio Children’s United States Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Emilia approach since 1994 and she was Associate Editor of the journal, Innovations in Early Childhood Education: The International Reggio Exchange.
On a personal note, Dr. Gandini took a great chance on an unconventional event, our Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute, early on in our development. Lella was a guest speaker at our second and fourth institutes in 2009 and 2011.
Her participation was invaluable and instilled confidence that we were on the right track. I’ll never forget when she arrived at CMK, looked over the cavalcade of kooky high and low-tech projects being created, and shot me a knowing glance to say, “I get it.”
Lella addresses CMK 2009 
CMK 2009 Faculty & Guest Speakers 
Lella talks with Brian Silverman, Deborah Meier, and Cynthia Solomon 
Deborah Meier and Lella Gandini delight in each other’s company 
Lella Gandini and Jonathan Kozol 
Cynthia Solomon and Lella Gandini 
Lella enjoys Deborah Meier’s conversation at CMK 2009 
Jeff Richardson moderates Lella’s conversation
I will never forget the quick lunch I shared with Lella, Deborah Meier, and Cynthia Solomon – a Mount Rushmore of progressive education at CMK 2009. As were eating too fast so we could return to our institute duties, Lella, Debbie, and Cynthia found themselves discussing their affection for an unsung hero, David Hawkins. Seymour Papert was also a big fan as he shares in this provocative paper inspired by David Hawkins. The greats know the greats, celebrate their powerful ideas, and stand on the shoulders of greatness. Constructing Modern Knowledge is built on sharing and sustaining such connections.
Lella was the author or co-author of seminal books about the Reggio Emilia Approach, but despite the fact that you could (and should) read and re-read these books for a lifetime, they situate the Reggio Approach in a much deeper context of learning, teaching, and living. Every educator should have these essential books in their personal library.
The Boston Area Reggio Inspired Network shared these reflections on Lella’s contributions. She will be missed. Let’s use her life as inspiration to make the world a better place for kids.
Veteran educator Gary Stager, Ph.D. is the author of Twenty Things to Do with a Computer – Forward 50, co-author of Invent To Learn — Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom, publisher at Constructing Modern Knowledge Press, and the founder of the Constructing Modern Knowledge summer institute. He led professional development in the world’s first 1:1 laptop schools thirty years ago and designed one of the oldest online graduate school programs. Gary is also the curator of The Seymour Papert archives at DailyPapert.com. Learn more about Gary here.