I am writing from the the Urban Education student lounge at CUNY Graduate 
Center today (9/9/13) and am so glad to have had some time to come by to honor Jean Anyon. It has warmed my heart to be with dear friends and colleagues. I will be writing and posting more about Jean and my relationship with Jean over the last seven years.
For now, my thoughts have been on remembering the little moments that I shared with Jean here in the student lounge. Specifically I was thinking about the emotional roller coaster it was to meet with Jean in her office. Even after several years of working with her I would still get a lump in my throat and my heart would be speeding along.
“Will she like what I have to say?”
“Am I making sense?”
“Is she gonna hate it?”
(having trouble breathing)
(aaah!!)
And then I would actually go in…
“So how are things, going?”
“Good Jean, how are you?”
“How’s Teo”
“Good, getting big”
“So how is the work?”
(resume breathing and a more regular heart beat)
Segue to a very thoughtful conversation and supportive feedback that connected theory, data, and action.
Phew, breathing again, but heart beat getting faster.
Now I am inspired and leaving feeling good.
Flying high,
Ready to move forward.
We got this!
If you have comments or thoughts to share on the life and contributions of Jean Anyon go to: http://opencuny.org/jeananyon/
If you would like to donate to a scholarship fund established by Jean’s students in her honor go to: http://www.gofundme.com/48vop4
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