[Reading-hall-of-fame] actions at IRA
P. David Pearson
ppearson at berkeley.edu
Wed Feb 11 15:42:53 GMT 2009
Whatever prompted this, whatever might have happened, whatever the
Board's purpose, whoever holds the high moral ground—the idea of
honoring Alan's service seems just right. I just don't think it can
be IRA. Hence my suggestion about an independent effort. And Jay is
exactly right that John Manning, also a fellow RHF member, should be
centrally involved.
David
On Feb 11, 2009, at 7:15 AM, Jay Samuels wrote:
I like Pearson’s suggestion that we honor and celebrate Alan’s many
years of service to our profession when the convention is held in
Minneapolis, the city in which Alan got his degree. I also think that
John Manning, who was Alan’s doctoral Advisor should be there. Alan
and John Manning have kept close ties these many years. Jay Samuels
From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
] On Behalf Of P. David Pearson
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:34 PM
To: Jay Samuels
Cc: reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
Subject: Re: [Reading-hall-of-fame] actions at IRA
RHF colleagues,
I cannot pretend to fathom all of the reasons why this seemingly
arbitrary act might have occurred. I can only hope that members of
the IRA board and executive committee, including those who are members
of the RHF, will find a way to take the cover off these highly
secretive deliberations.
Knowing Alan as well as I do (he was my TA when he was in grad school
at Minnesota) and knowing his ethical and moral standards as I do, I'd
have to have a lot of evidence to convince me that he did something so
professionally, morally, or ethically irresponsible that it merits
this sort of dismissal. Alas, I can't pretend to know what I don't
know. So these secretive deliberations, no doubt promoted by legal
counsel with a vested interest in continuing the intrigue, prevent us
all from drawing our own independent inferences about the situation.
But I do know this. Alan is our colleague. Alan has given much of
his professional career to IRA. Alan has overseen its rise to an
unprecedented position in the community of professional organizations.
If nothing else, we need to mark, and to celebrate, his contributions
to the field and to the organization. To that end, I plan to be a part
of an IRA-independent event in Minneapolis to celebrate his
contributions to the field. I'll have more to say on that when I have
a sense of what is possible where and when. I hope that you will join
me in funding just such an event, in part to let the board of
directors of IRA know that we think that regardless of what Alan might
have done (still a mystery), he deserves our respect and
acknowledgment for his contributions. I also would like them to know,
and yes this includes my friends on the board and in the Hall of Fame,
that what they did was unconscionable, depriving, as their actions
did, Alan of the right to go out on his own terms. I am sure hundreds
of IRA stalwarts will join us in just such a counter-organizational
celebration. It is important, indeed essential, that not one dime of
IRA money be spent on such an event. And I hope that no Board Member
would dare to attend.
I also hope that other things will happen. For example, it would be
important for someone, particularly state level folks, to introduce
resolutions of censure directed at the Board and the Executive
Committee at the Delegates Assembly in Minneapolis--not so much for
the particularly decision, but for the secretive processes they used
in making it--and for hiding behind the cloak of lawyerly privilege.
Also, I don't know what Board procedures permit, but I also hope that
if members can address the board in their meeting in Phoenix, some of
you will address the Board and demand an open and transparent
explanation of the decision making process and rationale.
Finally, I hope that someone is directing some attention to the
psychological and professional well-being of the staff at IRA. This
must be a blow for them.
Normally, I would say that i am sorry that RHF members who are also
members of the Board and Executive Committee have had to suffer my
wrath, but I cannot muster such an apology. This is just too
outrageous--in process and substance.
With uncompromising ire.
David
On Feb 10, 2009, at 8:12 AM, Jay Samuels wrote:
I just sent an email about the situation Hoffman described and am quite
angry about the insensitivity of what has happened. Why am I angry?
Alan
had announced that he would retire in two years. I have no idea how
many
years he has served IRA, but I know it was many years. Given that
Alan was
about to retire, to do this to him in this way shows a complete lack of
sensitivity. If this action came from the Board of Directors I think
they
deserve criticism for their behavior. Jay samuels
-----Original Message-----
From: reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
[mailto:reading-hall-of-fame-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf
Of
jim hoffman
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 7:14 AM
To: reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk
Subject: [Reading-hall-of-fame] actions at IRA
I write to you as colleagues and friends of IRA. I write in a state
of sadness, anger and confusion. It has been reported to me, through
several "unofficial" sources that Alan Farstrup has been fired as
Executive Director of IRA. I have no details and attempts to get
confirmation of this action have been met with silence. I cannot
think of anyone who has given more to IRA than Alan and the thought
of his dismissal in anticipation of his retirement is
incomprehensible. . . . wrong, unfair, and on and on. I cannot
imagine the range of emotions Alan and his family are going through
right now. I am hoping that we, as members of the Hall of Fame, can
start an open conversation about what is going on and the ways in
which we can support Alan and IRA through difficult times. We are
headed into a conference in just two weeks, with members of the
organization not informed of this action. My inclination, honestly,
is to protest this action by not attending the conference -- but I'm
not sure what such an action taken by me or by many would
accomplish. Can anyone shed light on the events that have unfolded
and continue to unfold? What can we do individually or collectively
to address the situation?
jim
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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
P. David Pearson
Professor and Dean
Graduate School of Education
1501 Tolman Hall #1670
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley CA 94720-1670
GSE Office: 510 643-6644
LHS Office: 510 642-7753
5519 Research Office: 510 643-5004
fax 510 643-8904
speakerphone 510 643-6739
email: ppearson at berkeley.edu
other e-mail: pdavidpearsondean at gmail.com
website: www.scienceandliteracy.org
photos: http://gse.berkeley.edu/faculty/pdpearson/pictures/pdpportraits.html
*******************
Home: 851 Euclid Ave
Berkeley, CA 94708 -1305
Home #: 510 526 6986
Cell: 510 543 6508
****************************************
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
P. David Pearson
Professor and Dean
Graduate School of Education
1501 Tolman Hall #1670
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley CA 94720-1670
GSE Office: 510 643-6644
LHS Office: 510 642-7753
5519 Research Office: 510 643-5004
fax 510 643-8904
speakerphone 510 643-6739
email: ppearson at berkeley.edu
other e-mail: pdavidpearsondean at gmail.com
website: www.scienceandliteracy.org
photos: http://gse.berkeley.edu/faculty/pdpearson/pictures/pdpportraits.html
*******************
Home: 851 Euclid Ave
Berkeley, CA 94708 -1305
Home #: 510 526 6986
Cell: 510 543 6508
****************************************
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