The Reggio Emilia Preschool (www.GanReggio.com) at DJEC in Fort Lauderdale is proud to announce that Dr. Marla Reis has become their Educational and Environmental Consultant for their new preschool scheduled for its Grand Opening on September 1, 2015.
At the heart of the Reggio Emilia philosophy is the belief that children are full of curiosity and creativity; they are not empty memory banks waiting to be filled with facts, figures and dates. Reggio-inspired curriculum is flexible and emerges from children’s ideas, thoughts, and observations. Dr. Marla Reis, a Licensed Psychologist and green living consultant, was brought on to assist in designing the Reggio environment, as well as to assist in creating the curriculum based on the Reggio philosophy. “Once I saw the materials and understood the Reggio philosophy, I felt completely aligned with the model! I am so honored to have been invited to take part in this cutting-edge education, and I’m excited for the children who will be taking part in this preschool experience!”
Dr. Marla Reis is a licensed psychologist and has been practicing in South Florida for the past 20 years. She has assumed a variety of life roles such as therapist, green living consultant, parenting expert, doula, and entrepreneur. Dr. Marla has raised her family in an organic and natural lifestyle and has experience with attachment parenting, conscious discipline, and collaborative learning.Dr. Marla has been passionately involved in the way children are educated – both her own and others – as her children attended Montessori schools (no Reggio schools back then!) during their preschool and elementary school years. She also served as co-President of the School Advisory Forum (SAF) at Virginia Shuman Young Montessori Magnet School, during which she worked closely with the Principal to implement programs and address parent/community concerns.
In her private psychology practice, Dr. Marla specializes in family and couples therapy and has extensive training and experience in issues related to parenting. She also works with individuals to help them obtain greater communication and harmony in relationships, thereby increasing connection in relationship.
While a graduate student, Dr. Marla received an Assistantship at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital during which she worked with teenage mothers through a grant program designed to provide medical and social rehabilitation to those mothers and their cocaine-exposed infants. She was responsible for carrying out research protocol, administering and scoring assessment tools, report-writing, and documentation. As a doctoral student, Dr. Marla served as Co-Administrator and Supervisor at the University of Miami’s Mental Health Clinic.
Dr. Marla completed a one-year Internship training at Nova Southeastern University where she worked in the university’s mental health clinic and received specialized training, with a focus on working with Serious Emotional Disorders in Children (PSED – Pediatric Serious Emotional Disorders).
In addition to her professional training, Dr. Marla conceptualized, designed, and operated an award-winning organic cafe. She also served as Vice President of Brand Experience for various local businesses, in which she worked alongside the CEOs/Founders to develop and implement business concepts, conduct market research, create branding, and perform all social media and online marketing.
She received both her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida and is a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida (License #PY 8176).
