Welcoming Stephanie Rino as Director of Curriculum and Studying
At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, curriculum shouldn’t be one thing that lives on paper alone. It lives within the questions kids ask, the supplies they return to time and again, the moments of connection between academics and households, and the quiet pleasure educators really feel after they see studying unfold in surprising methods.
That’s the reason we’re so excited to share a significant subsequent step in our journey: the creation of a brand new house workplace management function, Director of Curriculum and Studying, and the appointment of Stephanie Rino to this place.
This function displays a deep dedication to who we’re—and who we have gotten—as a studying group.
A Position Rooted in Goal and Ardour
For Stephanie, this new chapter is deeply private.
“As a longtime Reggio Emilia-inspired educator, I’m thrilled to tackle a job that permits me to dive deeper into curriculum and studying. This actually looks like a ardour challenge, and I’m honored to be doing this work.”
The Director of Curriculum and Studying function was created with intention. As Little Sunshine’s Playhouse continues to develop nationally, this place ensures that our academic philosophy, values, and expectations stay sturdy, constant, and thoughtfully supported throughout each faculty, whereas nonetheless honoring the individuality of every group we serve.
In her function, Stephanie will lead the imaginative and prescient, improvement, and implementation of our proprietary Reggio Emilia–impressed curriculum, Creatively Shine®, guiding the way it evolves and the way it involves life in lecture rooms every single day.
Bringing Reggio Emilia to Life, Collectively
Reggio Emilia shouldn’t be a guidelines or a script. It’s a philosophy constructed on relationships, reflection, and responsiveness. Stephanie’s work will deal with strengthening a transparent pedagogical framework that helps project-based studying, play- and nature-inspired experiences, and developmentally acceptable observe throughout all age teams.
Simply as importantly, her strategy facilities on collaboration.
“Constructing group and connection inside every faculty—and all through the corporate—is such a stupendous side of this philosophy. I stay up for collaborating and studying from our superb faculty groups.”
This function shouldn’t be about prescribing one “proper” solution to train. It’s about supporting educators with shared language, considerate instruments, and significant steering, so academics really feel assured adapting curriculum to the kids in entrance of them.
Supporting Educators at Each Stage
A core focus of Stephanie’s work shall be grownup studying. She is going to lead the redesign of onboarding {and professional} improvement techniques, making certain they’re intentional, accessible, and grounded in how adults be taught greatest.
This contains:
- Strengthening onboarding and coaching experiences
- Making a centralized digital studying portal
- Growing management and instructor trainings for all levels of development
- Supporting instructor coaching weeks for brand new faculty openings
She may even oversee the event of month-to-month default lesson plans for every age group, offering consistency whereas empowering educators to personalize studying experiences in their very own lecture rooms.
And maybe most meaningfully, Stephanie is captivated with lifting up the work already occurring in our colleges.
“One in all my targets is to focus on and rejoice the unbelievable work occurring in our colleges to encourage others. There’s a lot innovation, creativity, and care happening every single day, and I’m excited to assist convey that work to the forefront.”
A Chief Who Is aware of Our Colleges
Stephanie brings greater than 25 years of expertise in early childhood schooling, having served as a classroom instructor, coach, program administrator, founding director, skilled studying facilitator, and nonprofit advocate.
Most not too long ago, she served as Program Director at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse of Colorado Springs at Briargate, the place she led with thoughtfulness, energy, and a deep dedication to Reggio Emilia–impressed observe. In 2025, she was honored with the Loris Malaguzzi Efficiency Award, recognizing distinctive management and dedication to early childhood schooling.
Her educational background contains an Affiliate’s Diploma in Early Childhood Training, a Bachelor’s Diploma in Little one and Household Research, and accomplished coursework towards a Grasp of Arts in Instructing.
Trying Forward
As we proceed to develop, this function represents an funding in what issues most: kids, educators, and the standard of studying experiences that form early childhood.
Stephanie shares that pleasure for what’s to come back:
“I stay up for the chances that lie forward as we proceed to develop and collaborate in our firm’s imaginative and prescient.”
We’re honored to have Stephanie guiding this vital work and can’t wait to see how her management helps educators, strengthens curriculum, and helps kids throughout our colleges proceed to shine.
See what Little Sunshine’s is all about!
