I asked my colleague and good friend Bill Landau, Science teacher and department head extraordinaire, to jot down some of his recollections of that epiphany I had six years ago. I share here the result. "drg" refers to me.
"Not unusual that in our running conversation, drg would appear in the (any) doorway, and deliver some very thoughtful news on what “is†and what “isn’t.†A commonly threaded topic was what text was being used, how it was being used, who was using it, what its strengths and shortfalls were, and what so many had to say about text learning. Did the text become the program, that being the case, was there enough culture embedded in the text and program? Was there enough rich vocabulary? Were there enough allusions to major, classical written works? Occasionally, drg would, say – '(hardy) haaa - maybe I should write the text…maybe I should write my own text (for us).' As occasionally, perhaps more often, 'I WILL write my own text – I can do a better job of it, anyway…'
After trenching and retrenching the expression(s), by summer the project was afloat or, if-you-prefer, on-the-wing. drg returned to his favorite doorways (any) and from that vantage point would indicate how many pages he had accumulated. This went on, as he found an avid listener in me. The energy was spiraling, the accomplishments were by-the-page, and then the work from that written page, experimented with, solidified in the classroom, was on-its-merry-way.
A number or revisions, numerous reports of progress – fore and aft – several iterations (at least) and chapters were taking on lives of their own. They became editions. They became the fuel for a real, tailored, sensible, meaningful program.
I am still privy to and pleased with updates from the good Dr…and….his students."