Reader Reply

School Administrator, November 2019


When I opened the August issue of School Administrator and saw the photo of Gary Marx, I experienced a great feeling of joy and hoped Gary’s e-mail address might be included. As someone who worked closely with him many years ago, I very much wanted to reach out to him.

I was saddened to learn of his recent passing in reading “Gary Marx: An Influential Force on AASA and Its Editor” by Jay P. Goldman. During my 35 years as a professor of educational leadership at the University of Buffalo and as a member of AASA, I became FRIENDS WITH GARY and invited him on several occasions to Buffalo to speak to members of the Western New York School Boards Association in my role as the executive director. Gary also accepted my invitations to address the Western New York Superintendents Study Group. He and I always made it a point to get together at the AASA national conference.

Gary was a very TALENTED PROFESSIONAL and a fine person with a magnificent speaking voice. Thanks for your wonderful tribute to him.

ROBERT W. HELLER
AASA LIFE MEMBER,
FORT MILL, S.C.


Tribute to Gary Marx
Commendations for your tribute to Gary Marx, who represented AASA so well over 20 years with his skillful pen and other communication skills. The personal tribute by Jay P. Goldman certainly captures Gary’s outstanding performance during his time with the association dealing with educational matters at the national and international levels.

MILTON LEE PRITCHARD SNYDER
RETIRED AASA DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
SEATTLE, WASH.



Nic Clements’ column
Reading Nic Clement’s column “My Itchy Case for Authentic Learning” (March 2019), reminded me of important issues for all who care about the education of our children.

Recounting his time with his grandkids, Clement makes a compelling case for fostering learning environments outside of the classroom where students are meaningfully engaged and genuinely curious. Whether we call it project-based, student-driven or hands-on learning, our responsibility as educators is to help our students love learning.

It also reminds us of the important role adults outside of school play in our students’ lives and learning.

As we welcomed students back to school this fall, let us all take more than a moment to engage them in conversation around all they learned during the summer — and honor those in their lives who made that learning possible.

SUSAN ENFIELD
SUPERINTENDENT,
HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT 401,
BURIEN, WASH.

 
 
Letters should be addressed to: Editor, School Administrator, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail: magazine@aasa.org