Why Community Matters: Connecting Education with Civic Life

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments My experience in researching and writing this book has only confirmed for me that community matters, as I have been supported by a group of colleagues, friends, and family to whom I am deeply grateful. This book, in many ways, is a continuation of our ongoing conversations. First, I want to thank the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) for recognizing the importance of the community dimension of civic learning and funding this project at an early stage. I especially want to thank Peter Levine for his encouragement and ongoing support, along with Abby Kiesa, William Galston, and Mark Lopez. I was also generously supported by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation that helped this material take shape as a book, and I am especially grateful to David Mathews and John Dedrick. Kettering’s vast civic network also had a great impact on my thinking about democracy, including Guillermo Correa, Carolyn Farrow-Garland, Laura Hall, Valarie Lemmie, Ileana Marin, Randy Nielsen, Hal Saunders, and Maxine Thomas. My work with the Center for Democracy and Citizenship grounds my understanding of the central role that citizens can play in public life. Harry Boyte is a great mentor who guided me through the various stages of this book; his belief in the possibility of ordinary citizens, along with his ability to build a practical philosophy of democratic politics, continue to inspire. So, too, does Nan Skelton, a savvy and energetic organizer, who always sees possibilities for community. Jerry Stein pushed me to strengthen my argument with warmth and generosity; his wisdom fills these pages. John Wallace introduced me to Highlander Folk School and the importance of asking questions. Others at the University of Minnesota were extremely helpful in the development of this book, especially Mike Baizerman, Jane Plihal, and Rob Shumer. xiii In Minnesota, I was immersed in a community of learners at the Jane Addams School, with the Citizenship Group, and then in the broader Neighborhood Learning Community. These experiences gave my ideas about the connection between education and civic life a more practical base. It is difficult to write about the genuine relationships that develop through these experiences, but I am grateful to D’Ann Lesch, Nan Kari, Kari Denissen, Kong Her, Gunnar Liden, the Ly family, Derek Johnson, See Moua, and many others for helping me to try to capture this powerful way of learning in community. Perhaps more than anything, it was my time with Mai Lor Thao and the Xiong family that helped me to understand the importance of learning outside the classroom. They have been great teachers. Another great teacher, Rick Battistoni, fueled my interest in civic education , and provided timely advice and encouragement. I also want to thank Tom King, Hugh Lena, Keith Morton, Jim Tull, and the students and faculty in the Feinstein Institute for Public Service for introducing me to new ways of thinking about community. John Saltmarsh saw promise in me as a scholar and practitioner, and has helped me become better at both. Chris Caruso’s enthusiasm for this project has been very important, especially as he puts these ideas into practice in New York City’s after-school programming; Ross Meyer helped me clarify my arguments and our collaboration on student political engagement has been essential; and Liza Pappas and Adam Reich provided many hours of spirited conversations, along with even better friendships. Ira Harkavy has helped me see the importance of colleges and universities as vehicles for community problem-solving. I learned much from leaders in the field of civic education, especially Cindy Gibson, Carmen Sirianni, and Liz Hollander and the Campus Compact network. Joe Kahne also provided invaluable support and feedback. Lisa Chesnel of SUNY Press saw the value of this project and made it a better book. At Miami University, Dick Nault, Denny Roberts, Peggy Shaffer, and John Skillings have shown great faith in the power of community engagement for educating the next generation of democratic citizens through the Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute. I need to thank many others for encouraging this project at various stages, including Rick Benjamin, Ben Brandzel, Dick Cone, Piyali Dalal, Gail Daneker, Chris Drury, Ian Keith, Jennifer O’Donoghue, Margaret Post, Stephanie Raill, Maggie Struck, and the beloved community activist, Chuck Matthei. xiv Acknowledgments Most of all, I want to thank my family. My parents Nick Sr. and Paula, a politician and a teacher, nurtured...