Marietta McCarty

Marietta McCarty is currently Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville, Virginia. She has brought philosophy to children in rural, suburban, and city schools in the central Virginia area for over eighteen years, as well as schools around the U.S: Chicago; Redlands, CA; Marblehead, MA; Charlotte, NC; Baltimore and Rockville, MD…. "Her Philosophy in the Third Grade" program is nationally acclaimed and she lectures and gives demonstrations around the country as well as in Charlottesville on this one-of-a-kind program. While originally focusing on third graders, she philosophizes in kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms and happily participates in high school philosophy circles as well. Previous children's philosophy programs include her Summer Program for Inner City Children staffed by her college philosophy students, and her work with the Peabody School for Gifted Children in Charlottesville.

Mel, the philosopher dog. By far, the children's favorite philosopher.

She has published many articles in scholarly journals and books; two of her articles appeared in The Journal, a national magazine published by the American Association of Community Colleges, detailing the wisdom of child-philosophers and their service activities in the community. In her chapter titled "Love Yourself Enough," included in the Jossey-Bass book Promoting Community Renewal Through Civic Literacy and Service Learning, she reflects upon her role as coordinator of Service Learning for the PVCC campus and its entire service region. McCarty's pioneering efforts in Service Learning keep her active as a national consultant for both two- and four-year colleges. For fifteen years she has been an adjunct professor at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, teaching both group tutorials and independent learning contracts. For fourteen summers, she was the director of the Blue Ridge Tennis Camp outside Charlottesville for children and adults, welcoming campers from many countries and throughout the US.

A Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude graduate in philosophy from Hollins College, she was inducted into the Hollins Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. She received her Masters degree in Philosophy from the University of Virginia. She was born and enjoyed her ongoing childhood in Richmond, Virginia.

Marietta's conviction that child philosophers will grow up to work lovingly for peace served as inspiration for Little Big Minds. Her college classrooms ring with laughter and enthusiasm. You can find her digging in the memorial garden on campus with her students or chatting with them in her office about their dreams, favorite movies, musical tastes, or the beach and baseball...

Marietta, pictured with her mother June, in the memorial garden at Piedmont Virginia Community College. This garden was planted in memory of Marietta's grandmother, Hilda Smith, and student-gardeners affectionately refer to this special gathering place as “Plum's Garden.”