Chapter 32: Quotes of Note

Words are powerful. Words change lives; words and ideas change the world.

—Bryant H. McGill

Many of my memories of John have been tied to his words. The words he spoke when welcoming us to the middle level program on my first day in the undergraduate program at the John H. Lounsbury School of Education. The words he gave when introducing the keynote speakers at the annual Middle Level Summits. The passionate words he used when talking about young adolescents’ unique stage of development in my junior and senior seminar courses. The words of my dissertation that he read when I came back to Georgia College as an instructor (see Figure 32.1). The words to “Frog Kissin” he sang alongside my students in the junior cohort. The words he wrote in the numerous editor columns for the Middle School Journal, and other articles in middle level and junior high publications. The many times I saw him writing and reading words at his desk and the handwritten words in the thank you notes he delivered to my office. The numerous words he shared with me through books, articles, and think pieces focused on the middle level. These words have been powerful and meaningful in different ways, but they have all shaped my perspective, understanding, and passion for my work in middle level education.