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Remembering Betty Jones
December 2, 2022
Adults do learn through play; and where they are learning, children are likely to be learning, too.
-Betty Jones, Educator and Mentor, 1930-2022
-Betty Jones, Educator and Mentor, 1930-2022
With both sadness and celebration, we bid farewell to Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Jones, who passed away at 92. How she tickled our thoughts with her brilliant mind, playful heart and generous spirit! Read on for thoughts shared by a few of her colleagues, below, and revel in her wit and wisdom by visiting the Betty Jones Archive at Pacific Oaks or browsing the many articles she wrote for Exchange over 40+ years.
Oh no!
This bright light went out.
A wonderful, inspiring, strong, committed and joyful guide has moved on.
Sadness.
Then, acceptance of the human condition and our impermanence,
with profound gratitude for all Betty Jones has given.
—Gerry Slater
When Bonnie and I launched Exchange magazine, four decades ago, Betty Jones was the first person we interviewed. We asked her a question about how to train staff. She talked nonstop for 20 minutes, and I wrote the article exactly in the words she used - no editing required. She was so creative and inspirational. Having her as a professor must have been magical.
—Bonnie and Roger Neugebauer
Betty had a profound impact on how our field thinks about play, curriculum, and adult learning. Betty Jones knew that adults also need to play to learn. Her interactive approach to adult learning become essential to my own teaching. She loved to provoke, to ask good questions, and to simply watch children at play.
—John Nimmo
I’m indebted to Betty for so much... Along with children and environments, Betty’s work included an examination of core knowledge needed by those of us who work with the adults who work with young children. Adult/adult interactions need to be understood and nurtured if we want to positively impact the young children we serve.
—Ed Greene
No one else has promoted as deep an understanding of play as Betty did -- elevating play for all of us as the cornerstone of early childhood education. Rest in play my friend!
—Pam Boulton
Betty would shy away from all the acclaim coming her way, probably choosing instead to invite you on a walk, during which you’d likely end up on your belly following an unusual insect… Her formulation to “create structures for openness” has become a foundation for so much of my thinking, my work, and general approach to living in these challenging times. I mourn her leaving us, but can’t say I’ll miss her, because Betty will always be with me.
—Margie Carter
Once a mentor, always a mentor – to my understanding and respect for young children; to my choices of life.
— Wei Li-Chen
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Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsRed Wing , Minnesota , United States
Betty understood children and how to teach them. She understood teachers and how to guide them . What gift to all. She did it in a way that kept you learning long after she left the area.
What an honor it is to have known her .She is a true pilar for Early Childhood. She has had a lasting affect on so many teachers and so many children.
Thank you Betty Jones
Red Wing, MN, United States
Betty understood both children and adults. She knew how to teach in a way that you would continue to learn more and understand more! Even now, years after being around her, I’ll think “Oh that was what Betty was talking about!” .. and the learning and love continues. Thank you Betty . What an honor to have known you. So many children and teachers have benefited. You are missed.
Eugene, OR, United States
Sharon Cronin shared the following: Elizabeth "Betty" Jones is an ECE pillar within the United States, especially California and Washington. With a steadfast commitment to centering play in the lives of young children, she mentored teachers, supported emerging leaders, wrote curricula and articles, and presented at conferences. Betty Jones leaned into the work of addressing racism in school settings with the faculty teams at Pacific Oaks College and their Social and Political Context class. She modeled self-reflection and readily examined her family's white previlege. She worked through many decades and across many generations. Journey on, colega.
—Sharon Cronin
Eugene, OR, United States
I missed including this lovely note from Deb Curtis: "Betty Jones, more than anyone, impacted the way I see children and their amazing ways. Her playful curiosity and brilliant mind lit up a room and forever changed all she touched. I am deeply grateful to her for the joy I continue to find everyday in my work."
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