Long before Ms. Rachel, Circle Time with Ms. Monica, and Caitie’s Classroom, there was Miss Nancy of Romper Room, a show that first aired live from Baltimore, Maryland in 1953. Co-created and produced by Nancy Claster and her husband, Bert, the show offered free public early childhood education across the country, and eventually all around the world, through a network of teachers, trained as hosts to appear on air via their own local TV stations.

In 2024, I had the honor of looking through the magic mirror and visiting with four Romper Room teachers:

• Florence "Miss Florence" Petheram; Spokane, Washington, on KREM and KHQ, from 1958-1982.

• Margaret “Miss Margaret” Lloyd; Fairbanks, Alaska on KTVF, followed by Seattle/Tacoma, Washington, from 1963-1974.

• Karen “Miss Karen” Robbins; Rochester, New York on WOKR from 1968-1969.

• Molly “Miss Molly” McCloskey Barber; Baltimore, Maryland on WMAR, in 1981, then Secaucus, New Jersey until 1987. Nationally syndicated as Romper Room and Friends, the program aired until 1994.

The combined wisdom of these extraordinary women is exactly what we need to hear in this shared social moment. So sit up straight, use your best DoBee manners, and listen carefully. Maybe one of these Romper Room teachers will look through her Magic Mirror and say your name!