Dear Maxine

This collection brings together a prestigious group of individuals who have wondered, looked at, revised, acted on, questioned, and changed their world because of their connection to American philosopher Maxine Greene. Over 75 teachers, students, colleagues, artists, and others, such as Gloria Ladson-Billings, Herb Kohl, Mike Rose, Deborah Meier, and William Ayers have written edgy, thoughtful letters addressed to Maxine about her work, their own, and the spaces in between. Rather than just thanking this master philosopher/teacher, each sets out to discover some of what they have learned from Maxine Greene and to discuss the continued relevance of her work in aesthetics, education, and social imagination.

Maxine Greene has been referred to as “the most important American philosopher (on education) since John Dewey.” This wonderful collection continues the unfinished conversation that is her work.

Robert Lake is an assistant professor at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia

“These letters give the reader a renewed appreciation of Maxine Greene’s passion and energy, and of those who have learned from her.”
—A. G. Rud, Washington State University

“Robert Lake has brought together the various pieces of Maxine Greene’s life in these pages: Here are teachers, dancers, graphic artists, educational philosophers, and others. No one in these pages is content with things as they are; we have learned from life and from Maxine that there are always unanswered questions.”
—From the Foreword by Sonia Nieto, professor emerita, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

"Within the context of letters to a dear and esteemed colleague, the contributors to this book expand their readers' and their own perspectives on the complexity and the promise of teaching, learning, and living a generous life."
—Karen Gallas, teacher and researcher