[Reading-hall-of-fame] Re: Donna Alvermann and I are sharing this tribute from Jack Cassidy's WHAT's HOT community

[Donna E Alvermann]

Thanks, David. I think we both recognized Stephanie Grote-Garcia's and Evan Ortlieb's tribute to Jack Cassidy as being special in so many ways. First and foremost because they worked with him on "What's Hot in Literacy" and thus were able to situate that work  amongst his many other notable contributions to to the field. They also captured Jack's joy of conferencing, his playful banter, and his devotion to his family.
________________________________
From: P Pearson <ppearson at berkeley.edu>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 9:41 AM
To: reading hall of fame <reading-hall-of-fame at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>
Cc: Donna E Alvermann <dalverma at uga.edu>
Subject: Donna Alvermann and I are sharing this tribute from Jack Cassidy's WHAT's HOT community

[EXTERNAL SENDER - PROCEED CAUTIOUSLY]


Donna and I both asked Stephanie and Evan to share their tribute with the RHF community, so I am co-sharing with Donna!!!


Dear Friends of Jack,


On behalf of his family and friends, we write this announcement today to notify our What's Hot in Literacy community about the passing of Dr. Jack Cassidy on May 22, 2021. As a member of the Reading Hall of Fame, former President of the International Reading Association (youngest of all time), co-founder to the Specialized Literacy Professionals SIG, and co-founder of the Texas Association of Literacy Educators, Jack’s fingerprints can be found everywhere in the field of literacy education.



Most graduate students in literacy were first exposed to Jack Cassidy through his annual What’s Hot in Literacy survey. He partnered with different individuals on the annual survey, often times giving astute graduate students and early career professors the exposure for career enhancement. He didn’t have to do this, but he chose to. It’s a microcosm of his benevolent efforts of providing others opportunities to excel.



Dr Cassidy thrived in social spaces—at conferences, meeting with others, and giving presentations (or putting on a show as we like to call it). He had an infectious presence, and he could command a room effortlessly. His communicative approach married information dissemination with playful banter. If his name was in the program, you could be rest assured it would be the most highly attended event at that time. That’s the Jack we all knew, and the one we loved.



In his later years, he made concerted efforts to shift his focus from academia to his family including his grandchildren. He had confidence that others, such as ourselves, would continue his line of inquiry navigating research that matters; instruction poised to make a difference; and outreach efforts situated in diverse communities of promise. His legacy remains far beyond hot topics in literacy. His mentorship and selfless creation of opportunities for others serves as a foundation for all of us to strive. We struggle writing this message but know he remains with us in spirit and commitment to supporting others through education.


Many have asked for a mailing address for the family. Drew and family can be reached at the following mailing address:


304 Fieldgate Drive

Lancaster, PA 17603


Sincerely,


Stephanie Grote-Garcia and Evan Ortlieb

...



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"There are always flowers for those who want to see them." - Henri Matisse
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P. David Pearson
Evelyn Lois Corey Emeritus Professor of Instructional Science
Graduate School of Education
University of California, Berkeley

email:  ppearson at berkeley.edu<mailto:ppearson at berkeley.edu>
other e-mail:  pdavidpearsondean at gmail.com<mailto:pdavidpearsondean at gmail.com>
website for publications:  www.pdavidpearson.org<http://www.pdavidpearson.org>
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