Chapter 2: John Lounsbury: Your Influence Is Alive and Evident in My Hometown

My professional work and friendship with John Lounsbury spanned close to 40 years. When I taught with Gordon Vars, the middle school concept and national organization were just getting started. Gordon introduced me to John early in my graduate studies and he became a valuable resource and thought-provoking colleague. We had numerous discussions about the social and emotional needs of students and the role of teachers in guidance and advisory. He served as an unofficial advisor to my dissertation and helped me focus my graduate work. One might say he and Gordon “recruited” me to the middle school movement. During those years, I realized just how powerful the influence of John Lounsbury could be to a school. That influence has been true for more than four decades and is still true today.