Schoolville Acknowledgements
I believe Texas public school teachers desperately need someone to tell their story because they have been effectively silenced. Few of them will ever speak up, much less write a book. Those with whom I worked were afraid of retribution from school boards and administrators, and rightfully so. When one considers that the great teachers of our culture always questioned authority, and at least two of them died because of it, I guess my fellow teachers are right to remain quiet. Unfortunately for those school boards and administrators, since I don’t teach anymore. I can’t be silenced.
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As I review the people who made this book possible, I find that I have so many to thank. They all played a part in my struggle to find my voice, tell my story, and tell it accurately. Most of all, I need to thank my wife of almost 50 years, who is the real “Sophia”, who makes life worth living. She walks this world as a goddess among women, and her strength, wisdom, generosity and beauty would have made her remarkable in any century into which she was born. How fortunate that she was born into mine. There is truly no one like her.
I would like to thank my sister Pam Peterson, who inspired me so early in this project; Brian McDaniel, who recovered this book when I lost my entire hard drive, twice; Dr. Barbara Lazar, whose unfailing support and faith in me, to tell my story make her a treasure. Additionally, I would like to thank Linda Wakefield, who mentored me through student teaching, and who gave so much to teaching. She taught me to have high expectations of myself, and my students, and to live with the low expectations of those in charge.
