On Sunday, when the sun went away, the children stood underneath Miss Tizzy’s window. They sang all the moon songs she had taught them. Miss Tizzy was having a peaceful dream. She heard the children singing, and she loved it. (excerpt taken from the children’s book titled: Miss Tizzy)
Today, our beloved Miss Marva Baxter is at peace, and without a doubt, she is hearing children singing—and she loves it.
We mourn the loss of Ms. Marva Baxter, who served in the profession for over 50 years. Most of her career was spent as an early childhood preschool teacher with South Central Service Coop’s ABC Preschool program.
Ms. Baxter often shared that she could not imagine doing anything other than teaching young children:
“I love it. This is what I like to do. I like working with children. I like the people I work with. It is relaxing. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t. I just want to do what I am supposed to do.”
Ms. Baxter graduated from La Fayette High School, which, at the time, was a segregated school. She once shared that she was well known for her basketball scoring records. She went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, which was then Arkansas AM&N. She proudly shared that she was also a leading scorer in intramural basketball.
Ms. Baxter often talked about her experience as a young student teacher. This experience took her away from home, where she stayed with a host family. Her host happened to teach at the same school where Ms. Baxter was at the time completing her student teaching. She shared having to take the Greyhound bus home whenever possible, often trying to visit home every weekend.
In spite of her love of basketball and once considering becoming a basketball coach, Ms. Baxter found her calling as an early childhood educator.
Throughout her 50 years plus in education, Ms. Baxter witnessed many changes. Yet she often reminded her colleagues that education is still the same because children are still children. She understood the importance of letting children be children. Even with all of the changes, Ms. Baxter held dear to child development, and her beautiful collection of children’s records which she loved sharing with the children in her care.
Whenever asked what advice she would give to new teachers entering the profession, Ms. Baxter would always: “Enjoy what you are doing, be patient, and make sure this is what you want to do.”
Ms. Baxter’s favorite children’s book was Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray. And, so fitting as she often spoke lovingly of her nieces, nephews, and the many generations of former preschoolers who remained so dear to her heart. Encompassing the core and intersection of care and education of young children, Ms. Baxter’s life represented the calling, commitment, the heart and all things true of the early care and education profession.
Ms. Baxter, forever our Miss Tizzy.