Remembering Marie M. Clay
I
teach every child differently because of Marie Clay. I think I even
stand and sit differently with them – more open, more respectful,
more aware that the next thing that child says might be what helps
me to understand the essential part I am missing. Or might assure
me that I am on the right track. Marie Clay taught teachers the
reciprocity of being with children. That they teach us while we are
teaching them. That if we listen to them as Marie taught, they
change us, while we give them possibility.
Once
you come to understand this significance - that you don't know all you
can about a child – you learn a new humility, and there is a
groundedness that can come into your teaching. Marie Clay taught me
to see a child's dignity, and to learn how to teach, each day fresh,
to that dignity.
For
years now I've referred to Marie Clay as a Zen master. And I think
practitioners in Zen lineage would recognize Marie as one of their
own. Teach and learn with an open heart. Never think you know the
answer. Question, and question again. Recognize suffering in the
world, and commit yourself endlessly to reducing that suffering.
Understand that joy, compassion, love, and equanimity are immeasurable
and are part of our daily life.
Though
I haven't taught in Reading Recovery for nine years, Marie Clay's
presence has remained with me every day as I teach. I have spoken
often to colleagues (and to school board members), about that
presence. What I learned from her encouraged me to reflect, to notice
who this child I am with right now is, and to have the highest
standards for them and for myself.
I will
miss her presence in our world.
Susan
O'Leary
Author of Five Kids: Stories of Children Learning to Read
and co-author of
You
Can Make a Difference: A Teachers Guide to Political Action
--------------------------------
The highlight of my training year as a Reading Recovery teacher
leader was the opportunity to meet Dr. Marie Clay at the 2006
National Reading Recovery Conference. Her wealth of knowledge and
understanding about how children learn has changed the educational
pathways for many children who would have been otherwise left
behind. Marie was truly a godsend and the legacy of her profound
impact will live on forever.
Gaynell Jamison
Monticello School District
Monticello, Arkansas
--------------------------------
I first met Marie at TWU in the late 1970s. I was fascinated when
I heard her speak the first time and knew instantly that I wanted to
learn more about young readers and how to help them as they became
more and more literate. She opened doors in my life that led to
Reading Recovery training in Ohio, opportunities to train and work
with other teachers, and skills that I am still using as I tutor
during my retirement years. She truly enriched my life and my
career.
Geraldine Haggard
Plano, Texas
--------------------------------
To me, Marie Clay was a passionate person. I heard her Keynote
Address at the 2005 Southeastern Reading Recovery and Early Literacy
Conference in Savannah, Georgia. She touched my life forever because
here she was bigger than life and yet I felt as if I was one on one
with her hearing the voice that has guided every teaching decision I
make with my Reading Recovery students.
Jan Milkovich
Prince William County Schools
Woodbridge, Virginia
--------------------------------
The insights and teachings of Marie Clay have wrought so many
changes in the lives of young struggling Australian readers. Her
passing leaves a gap that will be very difficult to fill.
Tiffany Calvert
Northern Region, Queensland, Australia
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
--------------------------------
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Dame Marie Clay’s passing. We
have been extremely fortunate to have worked directly with Dame
Marie when she visited Bermuda in January 2005. She’s truly an
inspirational woman and we are deeply indebted to her for the
knowledge and awareness she has brought to literacy education. She
is directly responsible for transforming our vision, pedagogy and
instructional practices that ensure literacy success for students.
We are better professionals for it. On behalf of the Bermuda
Ministry of Education and Reading Recovery Teachers, our condolences
are extended to her family and friends world-wide. We will increase
our efforts to see to it that all children in need of early literacy
intervention will get it through the Reading Recovery programme.”
Darnell Wynn, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, Bermuda
Darnell Wynn
Bermuda
Hamilton
--------------------------------
I remember the first time I was exposed to the theories behind
Reading Recovery in Graduate school. From that moment on, I knew I
wanted to attend training to be a Reading Recovery teacher. All of
the teaching procedures make total sense and make me wonder why we
don't try a lot of them in the regular classrooms.
Jessica Farmer
Lawrence County
Walnut Ridge, AR
--------------------------------
My thoughts and prayers are for the family of Dr. Clay. She has
touched so many lives with her loving hard work for children. She
will continue to touch many more children in the future because of
her contributions to education. Thank you family, for sharing her
with so many people across the world.
Amy Sams
Pineville Elementary School
Pineville, Kentucky
--------------------------------
I was so saddened by Marie Clay's death. Her brilliant mind and
commitment to children shone so brightly in a world where
intelligence and integrity often seem to be in short supply. May her
legacy live on in our rededication to the truly essential work of
Reading Recovery.
Nora Licht
Kingston City Schools
Kingston, NY
--------------------------------
Thank you for nudging me to continue to grow in my understanding of
how reading works and insisting I allow my students to teach me how
along the way!
Mady Gura
Addison Elementary District #4
Addison, IL
--------------------------------
The stellar impact and influence of Dr. Marie Clay on the lives of
millions of struggling readers is inmeasurable. Her life's work have
and will continue to resonate throughout the educational community
and beyond. On a personal note, Thank you Dr. Clay, for helping us
know "how" to teach struggling readers as well as "what" to teach
them.
Emogene Polk
Longview Independent School District
Longview, Texas
--------------------------------
In graduate school, at Georgia State, our professor asked my friend
and I to speak to the class about Reading Recovery. She told
everyone that Marie Clay had done more for children's literacy than
all educational scholars combined! I was so fortunate to hear Dr.
Clay speak on several occasions. To me it was like hearing Thomas
Edison talk about how he invented the lightbulb! When I graduated,
my daughter Allison, wrote a letter to Marie Clay asking how to get
me an autographed book and telling her how I admired and learned so
much from her. Marie took the time to send back the hand written
note which I am holding now... she included several beautiful signed
book plates and these precious words. Your mother and I "share a
common cause". I believe that was Marie Clay's secret ...she knew if
she shared her wealth of knowledge... children all over the world
would learn to read!
Betty Bruce
Gwinnett County Schools
Duluth, Georgia
--------------------------------
Dr. Marie Clay shared her gift of Reading Recovery Teaching with
us. Through the use of this gift I have been able to witness many
joyous times and the obvious delight of children when they realise
that they can read. My teaching career has been enriched and I have
been provided with many celebratory moments as a teacher due to the
fact that I have had the opportunity to participate in providing
Reading Recovery lessons.
Gwen Jessep
Acacia Ridge
Brisbane, Queensland
--------------------------------
I now realize that I expected Marie Clay to be as immortal as the
legacy of her transformative impact on the realm of literacy. I
grieve as I would for an old friend, for as a Reading Recovery/Descubriendo
la Lectura teacher, her work is my constant companion and I think of
her every day.
Rose Curreri
SFUSD
--------------------------------
My thoughts and prayers go out for Ms. Clay's family during this
time of grief. Ms. Clay made such an important impact on reading all
around the world. As I work with my Reading Recovery students I will
continue to reflect on her great work.
Jim Sidebottom
Nelson
Bardstown, Kentucky
--------------------------------
Marie Clay was a gift to the entire world. When we received her
gift in the form of being trained it enabled us to carry on her gift
forever. She will live on forever in the education of young
children. I am truly thankful that I received the gift. I shall pass
it on with love, care and hope for the future of education.
Tisa Whitley
--------------------------------
I was trained as a Literacy Coordinator at OSU. I was thrilled to
see the room in a Columbus school where Marie Clay first
demonstrated Reading Recovery. I'm so glad that we were able to
share in her vision of working with children and for what she taught
us about what children can do with expert teaching. Thank you, Marie
Clay.
Helen Lloyd
Literacy Coordinator
Central Greene
Waynesburg PA
--------------------------------
I first met Marie in 1986 when she was promoting Reading Recovery
in the U.S. I invited her to speak to a master's class at Wright
State and to my surprise, she accepted. At the end of her comments
she invited questions. I asked her if a program could really take a
child from the lowest performance in reading to an average of the
class. I will never forget her smile as she answered, "It sounds
like a preposterous claim, doesn't it. But I think we have the data
to back it up.”
Steve Hansell
professor emeritus,
Wright State University
--------------------------------
All that I have learned through the Reading Recovery program has
changed my life and teaching the way I knew it. Her program gave me
the greatest gift a teacher can receive...a new approach and a new
framework for helping my children to succeed in reading. From the
first class where I began my training to become a Reading Recovery
teacher, to today, I am different teacher of reading. Thank God for
her gift and thank God that she shared it with so many teachers like
me!
Amy
--------------------------------
At the National Reading Recovery Conference in 2000, I was very
moved by being introduced to Dante, one of the first children in
North America to benefit from Reading Recovery. I still get
goosebumps when I think about how powerful that moment was for
thousands of teachers to hear a college graduate thank his Reading
Recovery teacher for helping him learn to read. Since then there
have been so many more stories like Dante's, and we owe all these
successes to a very wise, yet humble woman, Marie Clay. Before I
received the training, I was told by another Reading Recovery
teacher that she had never understood how children learned to read
until she was trained. I finally learned why children have such a
difficult time learning - because of all the confusions they have. I
learn new things about reading every day from my students and am so
thankful to be in a Continuing Contact group with other Reading
Recovery teachers. I am proud to be a Reading Recovery teacher and
am glad I ditched out of one of the sessions that year so I could
get Marie's autograph and meet her close up. We need to continue the
wonderful work that Marie Clay started and dedicated her life to.
Thank you, Dr. Clay.
Nancy Redshaw
Reading Recovery /Title I Teacher
ISD 181
Brainerd MN
--------------------------------
Dr. Clay has changed the way we think about the acquisition of
literacy forever. Her focus on the child's strengths and how to use
them to foster literacy development has made teaching struggling
first graders a joyful and positive experience for so many of us. I
trust we can challenge each other to honor her memory by the
constant pursuit of excellence in Reading Recovery lessons daily.
Ann Biebel
Reading Recovery teacher
Douglas County Schools
Castle Rock Colorado
--------------------------------
A bundle of energy, a smile for all and a heart of gold-I guess
those are 3 easy ways to define Dr. Clay. She empowered us all. I am
lucky enough to have worked with her several times. But the one
meeting that will stay in my mind forever was at the International
Reading Recovery Conference in New Zealand. She responded to my
child like glee of speaking to her once more by saying that she
wasn't anyone special, it was all of us who work with children daily
that are really making the difference. Thank you Dr. Clay for
helping me become that person you saw as fulfilling your dream for
all the children who have received Reading Recovery.
Dorothy Portalla
Former Reading Recovery Teacher Leader
--------------------------------
Your compassion for children's literacy was an inspiration to so
many people. You taught us to believe in ourselves as well as in our
students. You have forever touched so many lives!
Regina Barker
Reading Recovery Teacher
Franklin County
Brookville Indiana
--------------------------------
I was up close to Dr. Clay on two different occasions. I was so
excited to meet her and couldn't wait to talk to her and have some
of her wisdom somehow transfer to me. However when I got to the
table she was sitting at, I couldn't speak. Speechless, by the way
is not a term that people think of when they hear my name! That is
how I remember her - untouchable - so brilliant and wonderful! I
don't think she ever knew just how many lives she changed - whether
it be teachers, children, parents, colleagues, etc. She will be
missed by many but remembered by all!
Michele Bing
--------------------------------
The balanced literacy framework was born from the brilliance of
Marie Clay's work. She is the shoulders on which we stand.
Bonnie Casmer
Reading Instructional Specialist
Midway ISD
Waco TX
--------------------------------
Dr. Clay changed my life professionally and personally. I am a
much better teacher because of her work. I have traveled to parts of
the world that I never expected to see. I have met people all over
the world thanks to her. She made my life richer. I am so saddened
to lose her. But I am thankful that I met her and had the
opportunity to speak with her.
Beverly Lang
Special Education, former Teacher Leader and Reading Recovery
Teacher
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Indiana
--------------------------------
I thank God for the presence of Marie Clay and I thank her for
providing me with such powerful tools to make a difference in the
lives of many children. She will be missed .... but will live on
forever through the hearts and minds of us dedicated to fulfilling
her life's work and making it our own.
Berrill Ley
Reading Recovery/Year 1/2 Classroom Teacher
Bourke NSW
Walgett NSW. Australia
--------------------------------
I trained for Reading Recovery the year that Marie came to Texas
Women's University as a Professor Emeritus. I don't think I have
ever learned as much from one person! Every time I would go where
she was speaking, I came home with my head spinning. I couldn't
sleep at night for thinking of ways I could better help my students.
Though I am no longer a RR teacher, her training and the RR training
in general helps me as I evaluate students for special education and
help plan for an "easier way" for them "to learn". I always tell
them that is what we are trying to find--not to just make it easier.
Grace Trull
--------------------------------
Knowing Dr. Clay was like having a celebrity as a friend. Her
approachable demeanor put me at instant ease. At the same time, her
deep intellect and wisdom filled me with awe. Once when presenting
at an AERA conference with Dr. Gay Su Pinnell, I shivered when I
heard Dr. Clay would be attending the session. As I began speaking,I
noticed her welcoming, affirming smile. I realized, at that moment,
that I had a fan - not a judge - in the audience. That experience
and my Reading Recovery training, as a Teacher Leader, were the
impetus for my doctoral studies, and subsequent book publication
centered on the distinctive professional development needs of
veteran literacy teachers. MaryAnn Johnson, Ph.D. retired Teacher
Leader Lesley University (1991-1992)
MaryAnn Johnson
Associate Professor
Wheelock College
Boston MA
--------------------------------
I am forever indebted to Dr. Marie Clay for clarifying the art of
teaching reading. Dr. Clay not only transformed the craft, but also
gave practioners the understandings of the "in-the-head processes"
needed to support struggling learners. Her insight has enlightened
literacy programs throughout the United States and her teaching has
been a blessed gift to all children around the world. Dr. Marie
Clay, THANK YOU!
Myra Bellamy
Academic Intervention Reading Teacher
--------------------------------
A TRIBUTE TO MARIE CLAY As a thinker and a theorist affecting
education and development, Marie Clay stands among the intellectual
giants of the Twentieth Century. She had an uncanny knack for asking
important questions, which arose largely from her deep knowledge of
the field of literacy education and her interest in any knowledge or
research that may have bearing on early literacy development. Clay’s
life was devoted to a persistent pursuit of knowledge and
understanding in the domain of early literacy, spanning more than
five decades until physical illness brought it to an untimely end.
Clay observed very high scientific standards in research, using
appropriate and rigorous methodologies and designing studies to
answer important questions. As a scholar, and also in communicating
ideas to other audiences, she was always careful to limit her claims
of what is known to what can be supported by convincing evidence.
Nevertheless, Clay knew that teachers must teach and children learn
before scientific inquiries can settle issues of policies,
curricula, and methods. She gave teachers ideas and methods to use,
but taught them to be open to new knowledge and their own
observations. Clay was exceptional in her commitment to the highest
ethical and moral standards. She was respectful even of those with
whom she disagreed. Profits from the sale of her books and materials
were used to support the development of her ideas and of Reading
Recovery. She believed that since we understand how to teach the
most difficult children and get them off to successful educational
careers, then we have a moral obligation to apply that knowledge to
help every child in need. Marie Clay was and continues to be a
profound influence on my own thinking and career. Even after earning
a Ph.D. in education, I still had not reconciled conflicting
theories that had influenced my work. Clay’s ideas integrated and
centered my thinking, and Reading Recovery provided a way for me to
influence schools and teachers far more effectively than teaching in
a school of education. Marie was extraordinary as a teacher, mentor,
and colleague. She was concerned not only with her personal pursuit
of knowledge, but also in helping others come to understand and to
investigate ideas. She was kindly and gentle, but she could move
people to do things they might not otherwise have undertaken and she
could challenge ideas and positions in ways that made you think,
re-think, and grow and learn. Marie Clay received many awards and
high commendations during her lifetime. However, she valued these
honors not as approbation for herself, but as confirmation and
validation of her intellectual work, which she passionately desired
to live on. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to have
learned from and worked with Marie Clay have an obligation to help
see that her ideas and her work continue to influence educational
thinking and practice in the present and into the future.
Noel K. Jones
Emeritus Trainer, and Emeritus Associate Professor
UNC-Wilmington
Wilmington NC
--------------------------------
For all the children who would never experienced the gift of
reading, thank you for your passion and tenacity to know they could.
Thank you for teaching us how to make this happen! Now there is an
angel named Marie Clay!
Barbara Graves
Retired Teacher Co-ordinator
Charles County Public Schools
La Plata Maryland, USA
--------------------------------
ONE woman Many Challenges
Changes made for all to benefit
ONE woman Many Beliefs
Changes made for our students, our educators and our world!
Thank you Dr. Clay, for helping me see that it's not the child, it's
my instruction.
Kerri Moser
Assistant Principal
D22
Brooklyn NY
--------------------------------
What a loss for children and educators of the world! Marie Clay's
philosophies helped change my thinking about teaching and learning.
During my training year of Reading Recovery I hung on every word in
my guidebook as if it were gospel, eventually internalizing the
philosophies and methods found within. A transformation occurred and
a new teacher was born! Thank you, Marie Clay for opening my eyes!
Your wisdom and insightfulness into children's literacy development
will be missed, but your impact has been felt worldwide.
Juliann Pagnotta
Reading Curriculum Specialist
Roosevelt UFSD
Roosevelt New York
--------------------------------
My condolences & gratitude to Dr. Marie Clay. My life has evolved
thanks to Reading Recovery in ALL areas of my life. Forever I am
inspired & motivated by Knowing her through her books. The
validations are Present worldwide in the success in out children…A
leader I will remember forever in gratitude, respect, love &
admiration…I thank you endlessly..
Gianna Fuccio
Reading Recovery Teacher
district 21/ region 7
New York Brooklyn
--------------------------------
Thanks to Marie Clay I began to understand how children really learn
to read and write. I'm able to apply my theoretical understanding to
my present position as a Literacy Coach. Marie Clay has left a
profound impact on educators around the world.
Debbie Bythwood
Literacy Coach
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Georgia
--------------------------------
Marie Clay has been an inspiration to all Reading Recovery teachers
who desire to make a difference in children's lives. Her
observations of children's reading processes cannot be equaled. Her
vision has reached millions of children around the world through
Reading Recovery. As a Reading Recovery teacher of 20 years, I know
my life will never be the same.
Sherri Mast
Reading First Data/ Reading Recovery Teacher
--------------------------------
The diversity of learners in our continuing contact group is as
wide as the diversity among our RR kids. To find common ground for
the international RR community and the international world of
6-year-olds is the most remarkable achievement of Marie Clay.
Darlene Hanig
Reading Recovery/Title 1 teacher
Merrill Area Public Schools
Merrill Wisconsin
--------------------------------
To Dr. Clay: You will live on in the hearts of children and
adults who may not know your name, but pay silent tribute to you
each time they open a book and joyously delve into text. So many
futures brightened; so many lives touched--your influence is
immeasurable.
Jaunee Perry
Intermediate Literacy Coordinator
Spring Independent School District
Houston Texas
--------------------------------
Reading Recovery has changed the way I teach all day. I am now
more specific about my teaching points, put word work into my
reading groups and can analyze student needs to form lessons that
address those needs. I am able to use Marie Clay's methods in
reading, writing and even math. The strength of her program equates
into a miracle for teachers and children. Before Reading Recovery we
didn't really know how to teach reading to those children who
struggled. Thank You Marie Clay.
Kathy Johnson
First Grade Teacher
Walnut Creek California
--------------------------------
Marie Clay, You changed my life as a teacher. I have taught for
thirty-nine years. Thirteen years ago I took my Reading Recovery
training and I have seen myself continually grow as a teacher of
young children. Through my Reading Recovery teacher training, my
teacher leader, continuing contact sessions, conferences, colleagues
and the reading of your many books and articles I have a clearer
picture of how a child learns to read and write. I no longer follow
a manual I follow the child. Thank you for your diligence,
persistence and perspectives in education. I teach and live on an
island off the northern coast of Washington State. The commitment my
small district made to Reading Recovery thirteen years ago was
phenomenal. They flew me to Ferndale, Washington weekly for training
and have continued to support Reading Recovery and my continuing
contact. Sadly, my training site district no longer is available to
me. My district has allowed me to continue seeing first graders one
to one using the Reading Recovery methods. In 2005 our school was
second in the state on the Washington State Essential Learning test,
with in 100% mastery in reading. We continue to be on of the top
districts in reading scores. My administrator and teachers
attribute, in part, our success to Reading Recovery as an early
intervention and the ability to share my knowledge with our
classroom teachers. I thank you, Marie Clay for our success and once
again I will follow the child not a manual. Your insights and
theories will live on in the teachers you have trained and the
readers we have taught.
Susan Stolmeier
Title 1/ Reading Recovery teacher
Orcas Island School District
Eastsound WA
--------------------------------
Thank you Marie Clay for your dedication and commitment to
improving the lives of children worldwide. As a teacher I feel
honoured to have been trained in Reading Recovery so that I too am
able to make a real difference to the lives of the children I teach.
Thank you!
Robyn Pfingst
Reading Recovery Teacher
Moreton District
Brisbane Queensland, Australia
--------------------------------
I am truly sorry for the loss of such a wonderful and dedicated
teacher, mentor, and inspirational woman. I have improved so much as
a reading teacher because of my reading recovery training and the
wonderful guidance from Marie Clay. I also am grateful because my
own daughter who was a reading recovery student in grade one has
blossomed into a wonderful reader and very successful student. Thank
you Marie for all you have accomplished and I am sure I speak for
all other Reading Recovery teachers when I say "We will keep working
our hardest to keep Reading Recovery going."
Lisa Pezzella
Reading Recovery/Reading Specialist
--------------------------------
I thought I knew a lot about reading when I first started training
as a RR teacher 4 years ago. Marie Clay's work opened my eyes to the
powerful strategies that can be used to reach beginning readers. I
will forever be indebted to her for etching in my heart and mind the
solid principles of RR.
Theresa Sitto
Bilingual Resource and RR Teacher
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
West Bloomfield Michigan
--------------------------------
I thought I taught first grade reading well for 15 years until I
learned from Reading Recovery how to REALLY teach reading. Then I
will continue for another 15 years teaching first grade and Reading
Recovery together. I will thank Dr. Clay forever.
Debra Smith
First grade and Reading Recovery teacher
Sioux City Community School District
Sioux City Iowa
--------------------------------
I knew her well yet never met her. I ask myself how could this
be. How could she be so much a part of me. This person I've never
seen. I remember the first time I read her thoughts she had so
carefully written just for me and they gently guided me....then one
day I got off the path and I read her words again and she guided me
once again. I soon learned to never stop visiting with her. Each
time I read I grew. Each time I reread I grew even more. I realized
that she would always be there for me. I only needed to turn the
pages of her books to visit with her . I've whispered thank you to
her often, wishing she could hear. I wonder how she could be gone as
you have said, because she is still very much a part of me today,
the lady I never met.
Crystal Wood
Reading Recovery
North Little Rock Arkansas
--------------------------------
Marie Clay will forever influence the way I approach reading and
writing procedures.
Linnette Vagedes
--------------------------------
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