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Education Students Take Spring Break Study Trip

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Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Ten Westminster College early childhood education/special education majors and their advisors spent part of spring break on a study trip to Washington, D.C.

The group visited three preschool models in the area, each of which uses a different approach to early childhood education.

The American University Lab School Child Development Center follows the Creative Curriculum approach.  The majority of the two-and-a-half- to six-year-old students are from families affiliated with the university.

The Aidan Montessori School, with children ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years, is a primary school whose focus is motivating materials and embracing the child’s natural curiosity and self-management.

St. John’s Episcopal Preschool follows the Reggio Emilio approach, which believes that children possess a natural capacity for joy, sense of wonder and motivation to make sense of their world.

In addition to the school visits, the group took in many of the sights of the area, including the Holocaust Museum, the Kennedy Center, Arlington Cemetery, Smithsonian Museums and the White House.

The students were accompanied by Westminster education faculty Mrs. Diana Reed, lecturer, and Dr. Charlene Klassen Endrizzi, professor.

Contact Reed at 724-946-3207 or email reedd@westminster.edu for additional information.

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Student Information:

Butler, PA

Kelsey Reott, a junior early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Amy F. Reott and a graduate of Slippery Rock Area High School.

McDonald, PA

Melissa Egan, a junior early childhood/special education major, is a daughter William and Diane Egan and a graduate of South Fayette High School.

New Castle, PA

Amber Laitinen, a sophomore early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Gary and Renee Laitinen and a graduate of New Castle High School.

Pittsburgh, PA

Rachel Hedges, a sophomore early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Erick and Diane Hedges and a graduate of Carlynton High School.

Sarver, PA

Chloe Knappenberger, a sophomore early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Timothy and Lisa Knappenberger and a graduate of Knoch High School.

Sharpsville, PA

Renee Cantrell, a junior early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Ronnie and Regina Cantrell and a graduate of Sharpsville High School.

West Pittsburg, PA

Kayla Magusiak, a sophomore early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Robert and Cheri Walker and a graduate of New Castle High School.

Lisbon, OH

Kayla Hiscox, a junior early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Twing and Beth Hiscox and a graduate of David Anderson High School.

New Middleton, OH

Kristin Evans, a sophomore early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of Donald and Kaira Evans and a graduate of Springfield Local High School.

Poland, OH

Kathryn Becherer, a junior early childhood/special education major, is a daughter of William and Deborah Becherer, Jr. and a graduate of Poland Seminary High School.