YOUR WEEKLY DIGEST • VOLUME 1, ISSUE 22 • JUNE 1, 2026
Dear Reader – June 2026
BY NANCY ROSENOW
"We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated." –Maya Angelou
Dear Reader,
Maya Angelou’s wise words above seem appropriate for a time when many things in our world can feel quite heavy. As I pondered what I could write in this month’s column to try to ease a bit of the defeated feelings I’m hearing about from many, I thought of this quote, "Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs," often attributed to the historian Thomas Fuller. Perhaps we who read Exchange Community Voices aren’t "friends" in the traditional sense, but I do hope we all feel some kind of kinship in knowing that the work we do is more vital than ever in today’s world. And I hope that sharing the joys and challenges of our work this way makes our burdens a bit lighter and our happy times a bit sweeter.
In the June 1, 2026 Stories Across Generations column, we’ve included a link to a video by Holly Elissa Bruno. It’s called "Insights from a Trauma Survivor." We know from research that the early childhood field has a higher percentage of people who experienced trauma as children than in other professions. But regardless of our personal childhood experiences, I think it’s safe to say that all of us are experiencing some collective trauma right now as we deal with images of war, harsh policies that hurt our profession, stressed families, and economic hardship. I urge you to listen to Holly Elissa’s thoughts and consider ways to be kinder and gentler to yourself right now.
Reflect: What action steps will you take this month to both support yourself and also make a positive difference in the world?
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When a Book is More Than a Book
BY NICKY BYRES
I am the daughter of a librarian and at almost every gift-giving occasion there would be the telltale wrapped gift from her—always a book—and not just any book—a book so specific, so tailored to the recipient, that once the gleeful cheers subsided, she always chimed, "There is a perfect book for every occasion." And I have found that to be true all my life.
As the pedagogical leader in our multi-site child care organization I am forever seeking resources that will help us be better at what we do—the work we do with young children and their families and the work we leaders do in growing our educators too!
Several years ago, I sat reading a newly arrived book called From Teaching to Thinking, authored by Ann Pelo and Margie Carter. I immediately harkened back to my mom’s word—THIS, this was the book for this moment, this stage of our organizational development—the perfect book for this very occasion.
Reflect: In what ways might your organization use shared book studies, such as the author describes, for community building, reflection and growth?
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Voices from the Caribbean: A Tribute to Lilian Katz, Early Childhood Pioneer and Inspiration to Us All
BY CAROL LOGIE
A Note from the Early Childhood Wisdom Initiative (ECWI) Leadership Team: From now on, in this column and future ones, we will always offer a written story, as well as a video story. In this column, before or after you’ve read Carol Logie’s lovely tribute to Lilian Katz, be sure to watch the video story from Holly Elissa Bruno, "Insights from a Trauma Survivor."
I first met Professor Lilian Katz at an early childhood conference in Barbados in 2004. Our professional interaction and friendship grew over the years as Professor Katz added many more visits to the Caribbean. Her visits to Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago were inspirational and thought-provoking. This short reflection is of a woman who inspired thousands while attending, sharing, and mentoring educators at Caribbean Early Childhood conferences and workshops.
Lilian changed lives through her sound teacher development model (1972), and her extensive thought-provoking and insightful research. Lilian inspired teaching professionals worldwide with her Four (4) Stage Model of Teacher Development: Survival; Consolidation; Renewal; and Maturity (1972).
Additionally, her detailed analysis of child development remains applicable within present perceptions guiding teacher expectations and their role as relevant educators. Lilian guided us through formulating new early childhood curriculum theories that continue to be relevant to our work within early childhood classrooms. She believed that silly, dumbing down information given to children was a disservice.
Reflect:Has the work of Lilian Katz affected your professional practice? What would you like to learn more about her work?
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Exchange Community Voices is brought to you by our Exchange Staff with Nancy Rosenow as Editor-in-Chief. Our collaboration with Exchange Strategic Partners supports early childhood professionals worldwide.
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