Dear colleagues -
Working with the archives - and the living stories that have been shared with us - have made us (the archive team and volunteers) aware of the gift to the nation that Ruth Carter and the imaginal education approach to teaching used in the 5th City Preschool came about.
Ruth and another preschool teacher were invited by the team that was putting together Sesame Street to come to New York and share with them the imaginal education curriculum being used in the successful Fifth City Preschool.
Why? Apparently the Preschool had been named one of the top two preschools in the nation. Sargent Shriver had visited the preschool and said that the curriculum made it number 1 - but the facilities required he name it number 2.
We have also heard that there was an article - and picture - in a Time magazine talking about the 5th City preschool - and that is why the Sesame Street planning crew asked Ruth and colleague to come to New York and talk to them.
...and that one bright shining moment pales in the face of the additional 50+ years that she gave caring for and nurturing the teachers and students of the 5th City Preschool.
God bless you, Ruth.
Jean Long
Kemper Building
Chicago