PHILOSOPHY of EDUCATION SOCIETY
2006 Resolutions
Resolutions
Of the Philosophy of Education Society
Adopted April 23, 2006
The Resolutions Committee consisted of the following members: Barbara Stengel (chair), Cris Mayo, Craig Cunningham, and Audrey Thompson (all in absentia), with help from D.C. Phillips, Michael Katz, Debby Kerdemann, Barbara Houston, and Harvey Siegel – and with assorted phrases plagiarized without attribution from the 2002 Resolutions Committee chaired by Michael Katz. Special thanks to Gustavo Fischman for assistance with translation.
Whereas the members of the Philosophy of Education Society are deeply saddened by the recent death of Terry McLaughlin, and whereas Terry was a respected member of the extended PES community and the backbone of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain, and whereas he was unfailingly hospitable to PES members when they presented at PESGB conferences, and whereas he made a recognized scholarly mark in the field of moral and religious education, be it resolved that the Society expresses its deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues in the PESGB.
Whereas Landon Beyer was a much-loved colleague and friend to members of PES, and whereas he brought philosophical sensibility and wisdom to the moral contours of teaching and learning, and whereas he transformed teacher education in at least three institutions, and whereas he passed on to countless students a commitment to moral and democratic educational action, and whereas he will be missed by those who worked with him, be it resolved that the Society expresses its deepest condolences to his family.
Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society has enjoyed, over the past
several days, sequential and simultaneous sessions packed with philosophical
substance, scintillating insights, and dazzling conceptual distinctions,
whereas the Program Committee faced an uphill battle against sun, sand,
waves and the withdrawal of keynote speakers to encourage members to
pack such sessions, be it resolved that the Society expresses its appreciation
to Daniel Vokey, and his entire hard working Program Committee, for their
outstanding work, their excellent judgment, and their aesthetic intuitions
in putting together such a wonderful program. Be it further resolved
that the Society notes the special contribution of committee member Gustavo
Fischman in making a bilingual conference a reality and graduate assistant
Pedro Cortina for saving Daniel Vokey’s bacon time and time again.
Whereas the breakfast spread was out in time to anticipate the earliest
birds among PES members, and whereas the bottled water was cold and
plentiful, and whereas the free drinks were consumed in quantity, and
whereas the food at receptions and luncheon was uniformly appreciated,
be it resolved that the Society is grateful that we had a good shepherd
to guide us to each new trough, and expresses its deep sense of thanks
to Shelby Shepperd and the members of the Arrangements and Hospitality
Committee.
Whereas the spectacular view has made the Philosophy of Education Society seem even more at sea than usual, and whereas the “magnifico” facilities and services have left our embodied selves pampered and well-fed, and whereas the employees of the Sheraton Bougainvillia have gone out of their way to keep us pampered and well-fed, the Society offers thanks to all persons – especially Groups Coordinator Selma Vasquez whose competence and helpfulness are unmatched – who made this a wonderful site for a tropical conference.
Whereas Sasha Sidorkin has made his way through a full year in the new position of Executive Director, and whereas Sasha is digitizing and automating every aspect of our societal lives, and whereas he plans to change his title again to Secretary-General as soon as he has us fully automated (after all, all things can be reduced to relations of power), and whereas he is living up to the reputation of past Executive Directors who are present here (Michael Katz, Bob Floden, Barbara Stengel, and Kathy Hytten), be it resolved that we are grateful both that he took the position whatever it is called and that he is filling the position so effectively.
Whereas Craig Cunningham was the inaugural PES web spinner, giving us a presence in cyberspace before it was cool to be there, be it resolved that the Society appreciates his many years of exemplary effort.
Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society recognizes itself as a society where the reading of others’ work is almost as important as the reading of one’s own work, and whereas many members of the society actually took the time to look at the books in this year’s exhibit, be it resolved that Book Display Coordinator Emery Hyslop-Margison receive the Society’s sincere appreciation for his work in encouraging mutually beneficial reading.
Whereas Jim Giarelli has served a two year term on the Executive Board,
be it resolved that the Society thanks him for serving the position,
and for leaving it, and expresses our hope that the experience was a
life improving one.
Whereas the President of the Society makes creative and critical decisions
that shape the well-being of us all [Considerando que la presidenta
de la Sociedad toma decisiones creativas y críticas que afectan
el bienestar de todos los miembros de la sociedad], and whereas the
President upholds the reputation of the society not only through her
presidential address but also through her own accomplishments as a
scholar, [y considerando que la presidenta mantiene la reputación
de la Sociedad no solo a través de dictar su conferencia magistral
sino además a través de sus logros como académica],
and whereas the President is an important public face of the Society,
be it resolved that the Society compliments Sharon Bailin’s aesthetic
judgment that brought us to Puerto Vallarta (allowing us to see our
fellow members in bathing costumes), [y considerando que la presidenta
es una de las caras públicas de la sociedad, se resuelve que
la Sociedad reconozca y aplauda sus juicios estéticos que nos
trajeron a Puerto Vallarta (permitiendo que veamos a nuestros/as colegas
en trajes de baño)], recognizes her ability to direct the affairs
of the Society and to choreograph a favorable contract with the hotel,
[reconociéndole sus habilidades para dirigir los asuntos de
la sociedad y coreografiar un contrato favorable con el hotel], compliments
her on her creative and critical destruction of the creative and critical
dichotomy, [felicitándola por su creatividad y crítica
destrucción de la dicotomía critica y creativa], and
notes with pleasure her sartorial splendor as well as the grace and
dignity with which she has led us over the past year [y destacando
con placer el esplendor sartorial así como la gracia y la dignidad
con las cuales nos dirigió durante el ultimo año].
Whereas the Philosophy of Education Society recognizes that its continued existence and good order depend on the actual implementation of their ideas, on responsible and thoughtful correspondence, on administrative competence and fairness, be it resolved that the Society expresses its appreciation to Diane Beckett, Joyce Atkinson, Tim Simpson, and Liz Jackson for their continuing good work on Educational Theory and the Society’s annual yearbook.
Whereas Diane Beckett has welcomed waves of new members to PES, has used her administrative and management acumen to keep registration running smoothly and has become a fixture at the PES Annual Meeting for longer than anyone can remember – making her an antique, be it resolved that the Society acknowledges how much she will be missed in retirement, and be it further resolved that we wish her well in her new venture – Maggie’s Place, a new, used and antique store she is running with her sister, Nancy, and be it still further resolved that we admire the commitment to abused women on which her store is founded, exemplified in her policy of donating a percentage of profits to the Center for Women in Transition in Champaign.
Whereas Nick Burbules remains the “Captain” of the Ed Theory ship and the “Cruise Director” of the PES yearbook production, and does so with the same class and competence as Captain Steubing and Julie, be it resolved that the Society expresses gratitude and admiration for the “ship shape” quality of both publications.
Whereas high quality scholarship and stimulating dialogue require, to some extent, strong institutional support, be it resolved that the Philosophy of Education Society express their thanks to the following institutions for their continued support and belief in the value of philosophy of education:
Simon Fraser University: Faculty of Education
University of British Columbia: Faculty of Education and Department
of Educational Studies
Blackwell Publishing
CONTACT: PES Executive Director Jeff Milligan
850-644-8171; milligan@coe.fsu.edu