History
In 1985, a small number of teachers, following the proposal of Anna Stefanakou, came together and created the “Teachers’ Initiative Group”. The goals of this group were for teachers to exchange ideas, discuss any problems arised in the classroum and present amongst themselves, helpful teaching techniques that they used. In some of those meetings key note speakers, specialized in certain fields, were invited and answered questions regarding educational issues.
As time passed, Anna Stefanakou thought that if the discussed issues in the “Teachers’ Initiative Group” were communicated to other teachers, all over Greece, it might help them become more efficient in their work. That was when “Anoixto Sxoleio” (Open School) was created.
“Anoixto Sxoleio” was an educational periodical that was published every three months. In each issue at least one project was analytically presented, so that the readers would have a practical guideline, if they wanted to replicate the project in their classroom.
Through time “Anoixto Sxoleio” organized a number of seminars on education with key note speakers form Greece and abroad.
In 2008, 23 years later, Anna Stefanakou decided to retire but her vision remained alive. A new generation of professionals - teachers, psychologists, psychotherapists etc -took over “Anoixto Sxoleio” .
Anoixto Sxoleios' goals and the means used for their achievement, had to be reevaluated. In a time of globalization, of technological evolution, of an argent need for ecological sensitization, a lot of things had to change…. and they did.
In September 2008 the new Governing Body of Anoixto Sxoleio decided to create a place, where experiential workshops and seminars will organized and realized. Participants - children, adolescents and adults - will have the chance to come in touch with their emotions and to work towards building their self confidence and assertiveness. They will also explore new problem solving techniques, work cooperatively and start developing skills necessary for their personal and professional development.
...that how the “Center of Experiential & Cooperative Learning: Open School” (CECL: Open School) was created.
It was also decided that in a time were environmental sensitization is very important and the access to the web is relatively easy, there is no need to spend so much paper for a printed edition of “Anoixto Sxoleio”. That is why 2010 will be the last year of the printed edition of the periodical. From 2011 readers will be able to find in our site educational articles and analytical projects