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Remembering Docia Zavitkovsky's Stories
December 23, 2022
Longing, felt fully, carries us to belonging.
-Tara Brach, Psychologist
-Tara Brach, Psychologist
Docia Zavitkovsky, a true champion of children into her mid-90's, passed away 13 years ago, December 24, 2009. Here is the message shared in ExchangeEveryDay shortly thereafter:
To the very end, Docia cared deeply about children. Karen Fite reported that on the day before she died, 'from her bed, on oxygen, she greeted Nigel 6 (for whom Docia had a very special place in her heart), Sophie 4, and Emilia 3, and played games with Nigel and admired the art work of Sophie and Emilia. They were a gift to her and she to them.'
Docia had a knack for engaging everyone she talked to in a way that made your work feel so very special. She had a profound grasp of what children need and shared these insights not in academic lectures but by telling children's stories. For nearly three decades she shared 'Docia Stories' in Exchange magazine where she used a story about a child to help us better understand how children perceive the world.
...We believe, as Docia did, that sharing stories about children, if done with respect, can help us understand how children's minds work, how they process our 'adult' communication, and how they figure out how the world works. Plus, they remind us that it is okay to laugh with children -- not at children -- and that even though early childhood education is incredibly serious work, it will only work in an enjoyable environment."
Docia wrote over 75 stories for Exchange magazine, which can still be read through Articles on Demand.
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Hope and Pearl, thanks so much for these personal stories. They paint a lovely picture of who Docia was and the lasting impact she made!
Northern Hope Consulting
Fort McMurray, AB, Canada
I had loved Docia stories in Exchange for years before I had the privilege of having dinner with her at my instructor/now-friend, Karen Fite's place. I was renting a suite from Karen and Niki Trumbo while I did my 2 weeks of summer intensives in Seattle, the last summer they were offered at Pacific Oaks NW.
I was struck by her warmth and authenticity and genuine curiosity. She wanted to know what had brought me there from northern Canada, and what successes and challenges the early childhood sector was dealing with in my community/province.
I felt honoured and humbled to be in her presence, as she had been part of my guiding light as I embraced the early childhood world. I think I hung on her every word. One of my favourite quotes of hers had hung on my office bulletin board for years - a place it held until I retired from college teaching a decade later: "Instead of getting children ready for school, what if we got schools ready for children?" Thank you for the inspiration, the stories, the wisdom of children, Docia.
Pompton Plains, NJ, United States
I live on the east coast. I was on a trip to the west coast. I called to see whether I could meet with Docia. No problem. She welcomed me. We had a friendly visit. I felt as though I had known Docia forever. She was that kind of person--welcoming to anyone who wanted to visit with her--especially those in the early childhood education community. I shall always remember that friendly visit.
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