Category: Memory

Here’s a pic from LRA 2014 with the Pearson Family Fellows Yukie Toyama, Kate Brodeur, and Annie Ittner. Thank you, David! Lunch at LRA with you and the other fellows was always a treat. You always made us feel so welcomed at LRA.… Read the rest

David has been a favorite speaker over the years at our Reading Leadership Institute, a network of Illinois literacy decision makers. He always has some new ideas and insights to share nested within a phenomenal historical perspective—all delivered with wit and zest and a genuine respect and admiration for those whose work is in the schools.… Read the rest

David Pearson, Devon Brenner, Mary McVee, Gina Cervetti, and Kara Lycke—all of whom occupied the same office suite in CIERA days at MSU—got together for dinner when LRA was in Nashville.… Read the rest

Some of us, mainly on the program, were challenged to make a short, pithy toast to David, preferably in the form of some creative genre.  I chose the book cover and asked several colleagues to contribute back cover blurbs about David and his work.… Read the rest

I don’t write well enough to describe what David has meant to me. He was my doctoral advisor during my years at UC Berkeley. What makes David so special is the professionalism and humanity he brings to his teaching and mentoring.… Read the rest

Having completed his doctoral program at the U along with Jerry Harste, he was very much at home at the U and served to build up the reading program there. I have fond memories of him as not only a strong teacher, but a very capable advisor to lots of top-notch doctoral students who themselves went on to do great work.… Read the rest

Dinners with fine wine, shared cabs to the airport, projects in which we have collaborated. What an honor and a treat it is to know you, PDP!
I’m sorry to be missing your festschrift. You fully deserve all the tributes and compliments you’re getting.… Read the rest

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I have known David since meeting him during the 2004 NCTE meeting when he was recognized for one of many lifetime achievement awards and I was at that time a new graduate and a ‘promising researcher.’ Our paths would cross again several years later at a critical juncture in my journey.… Read the rest

David made LRA 2008 (back when it was still NRC) in Orlando truly memorable by leading a dance party by the pool. Nothing quite like watching literacy superstars boogie down after blowing your mind earlier in the day. From then on, if there was a band or DJ, David and I had to have at least one dance.… Read the rest