Daphne Kalmar was a school teacher for over twenty years. She taught in California, Massachusetts and then in a small school in Vermont. She was one of those teachers. One of the exciting and inspiring ones you never forget…one of the teachers who sees every kid.
Daphne is now a children’s book author and she’s just published her first book, A Stitch in Time. We sat in her kitchen by an open window. It had that late summer sound to it, the sound I associate with the beginning of school in Vermont. We talked about her new book, but mostly we talked about what it’s like to fall in love with a new batch of kids every September, and then let them go.
Credits
Additional music by Brian Clark and Mike Donofrio
My good friend, VCFA classmate, and children’s author, Daphne Kalmar, shows her full and beautiful humanity and her gift for storytelling and teaching–not only on the page but here in this stunning podcast recording. Listen, share, read, repeat… and get ready for a true gift. Thank you, Erica, for capturing her so perfectly. If only the world could live by Daphne’s one and only classroom rule… Bravo!
Very enjoyable interview. Proud to say I was a teaching colleague of Daphne’s in one of the Vermont schools. Loved her book, A Stitch in Time. She so captured the essence of the small town and her references to local places, people and things. The local color made it a very endearing read for me. Looking forward to her next book.
Beautiful! This episode of Rumble Strip highlights what are, in my opinion, Erica’s greatest gifts: she understands that her neighbors have wonderful tales to tell, knows how to seed a conversation with just the right questions, is wise enough to sit back like a good neighbor listening to the answers, and then, as the people she’s sitting with get immersed in the stories they’re weaving, is generous enough to quietly wave the rest of into the kitchen or onto the porch so that we, too, can enjoy the vivid stories that are emerging. Thank you, Erica!
What a thought provoking interview! Having read “A Stitch in Time” I can really see how the author’s work as a teacher and her deep understanding of children infused her writing. Both the interview and the book have such an authentic voice–no pretense, plenty of humor, and lots of real life wisdom. I loved–and couldn’t help smiling with the way you started off: “There are parts of teaching that are excruciatingly boring…” Thanks!
Daphne is just fabulous! Every teacher should listen to this remarkable interview. I wish all who teach kids could have her insight and attention..the world would be a happier,more well adjusted place. Thank you for doing this interview!
I really enjoyed this episode. Daphne’s tactful accommodation of a little boy’s need to chase lizards is the perfect example of the flexibility and wisdom of a great teacher. I shared it on FB with my many teacher friends.
A wonderful podcast, and Daphne is clearly a teacher after my own heart, Having taught Primary children for twenty three years in England, Hong Kong and Shanghai I can relate to so many things that she says. Now retired in France I still have to look out of my window whenever I hear the chattering of the children as a class goes by on the way to their weekly library visit. I really miss being in the classroom experiencing all that Daphne talks about. Thank you so much for the memories.
Beyond good. This was the teacher I never had or might have liked school and done better. We are born with the mystery and magic of the universe and then find out teachers and parents just want you to behave and be like all the others…
VCFA’s Writing for Children and Young Adults program is so proud to have had Daphne in our program. Beautiful, interview, Daphne!
Excelente book. Super proud of Daphne. Kids take the book to school or everywhere they go, so they can show it to other and say, look my grandma made this book. Love it.