Envision love, equity, and community in early childhood education

Join author Rukia Monique Rogers for an intimate and inspiring look at the values, practices, and relationships of the Highlander School in Atlanta, Georgia, rooted in the vision of the beloved community as espoused by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sharing abundant stories and rich photography from the school, the book is both a critique of the history and status quo of how we have confined our thinking and practices and an invitation to reflect on who you are and how you want to reimagine early childhood programs. See the big picture and small details of a program that believes in the full human potential for care, love, and justice, strengthened by deep connections with the earth and each other. We invite you into a journey of profound promise and change.

Full color. 224 pages.

REVIEWS

"In my vision of freedom, I aspire for every child to step through the welcoming doors of Atlanta, Georgia’s Highlander School. The institution, as well as this book, serves as a conduit towards a world rooted in justice, compassion, love, and care. A heartfelt tribute to the transformative power of education, this book breathes life into Dr. King’s dream of a “Beloved Community.” With each beautiful image, engaging story, and thought-provoking reflection question, we draw nearer to our shared humanity. Prepare to hold this book close, cherishing its message just as I have." —Bettina L. Love, author of the NYT bestseller Punished for Dreaming

"This book is filled with beautifully written stories and gorgeous images reflecting children’s eagerness for relationships and natural capacities for compassion and fairness. You will find the book not only inspiring but truly helpful in calling on and growing children’s innate understandings and deep desire for social justice and loving and protecting the natural world. The stories in this book will give you hope for humans. Savor the children’s and educator’s words and actions to propel you to take up this vitally important work in our fractured world." —Deb Curtis, author and early childhood educator

"This book is a declaration of what is possible in ECE programs when we develop practices closely aligned with our values, when we carefully and collaboratively clarify our beliefs about the purpose of education and work with great intention. This book is a beacon for action in these very troubled times, requiring us to envision how to live into our democratic ideals and grow sustainable practices for our planet, or else abandon a livable future for our children. This is a book about the fruits and rewards of hard, hard work, the rethinking of everything and reimagining of new possibilities. Imagine a program that is not child-centered, but kinship-centered with the natural world; not white-centered in its perspectives, but anti-bias and anti-racist-centered in order to truly address issues of equity and power. With the stories of the Highlander School, we see an example Dr. King’s vision of creating beloved communities. We find hope for our longings and are moved to bring them to life." —Margie Carter, author and early childhood educator