Liz Rice

 This interview with Liz Rice was conducted on January 26th, 2024 in Hudson, New York, as part of OHSS’s interview corps.

In this interview, Liz discusses her decades of work as an early childhood educator, particularly her experience running a longstanding affordable Waldorf-style daycare in Hudson. Liz speaks about her educational philosophy as well as the day-to-day practicalities of running an unlicensed daycare. Liz also talks about the financial strain of raising her own three children as a single parent, building local community connections through the daycare, working with her friends, allowing plastic toys, and getting to spend work days around her own kids.

Liz comes from a multigenerational family of early childhood educators. She describes her own background in Waldorf schools and her mother’s work as a pioneering Waldorf teacher, as well as the cultural shift she experienced when she attended New York University for college. Liz talks about her choice to have her own children, and to transition them from Waldorf school to public school in Hudson.

At the time of this interview, Liz was working as a photographer for an auction business. She talks about teaching herself to take photographs through YouTube tutorials and the experience of learning new things every day. She also reflects generally on “stuff” and accumulation. Finally, Liz talks in depth about the ways that Hudson has changed during the nearly 20 years she’s lived in town. She describes a vibrant music scene she used to enjoy and a sense of cohesion and care in the community that she says has changed.

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