In Praise of Living Our Truth

04/05/2021

In Praise of Living Our Truth

When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.
Hélder Câmara

Dear Exchange Community,

Cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson died in January this year.

She was the daughter of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson and the author of powerful books such as Composing a Life. I was fortunate to get to know her when I attended a delightful seminar she led, which had been arranged by my good friend, the late Ellen Hall, founder of the stellar early childhood program, Boulder Journey School. My favorite part of the experience was the after-hours conversations at Ellen’s house once the seminar had wrapped each day.

Mary Catherine’s books had been a great help to me during a daunting time in my life, and I remember feeling a bit star struck during our first conversation. But she would have none of it. Being with her for a week gave me new understanding of the phrase "authentic self." She was unapologetically who she was and expected those around her to be equally proud of their own uniqueness.

She urged me to redouble my efforts to support a strong early childhood workforce, one that would encourage and celebrate children’s authenticity.

It’s what I hope Exchange resources do: help early educators celebrate the importance of their own authentic work. One of the resources I’m especially proud of is the Reimagining Our Work (ROW) series that lifts up the unique voices of innovative educators. Ann Pelo and Margie Carter’s amazing book, From Teaching to Thinking, grounds the series in such wisdom. It’s a testimony to living our truth.

I am certain Mary Catherine would approve.

With admiration for the unique gifts you each bring to our field,

Nancy Rosenow
Exchange Publisher
on behalf of the entire Exchange team

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