Donald H. Graves

A friend gifted me Donald´s first book. It was the answer to my search for a path to exciting and meaningful learning and teaching. Three summers in the writing program, propelled me to fulfillment as a teacher and writer. Trusting the children was the key. They held the magic and Donald open my eyes to it all; I am forever grateful.

As I previously wrote, Don was my elementary school principal. After six years of being retired from my 38 years of teaching I got a part time job at the Exeter YMCA front desk and was talking with a member about teaching. He started talking about Don´s influence on his own writing & teaching. I shared my story about Don being my principal, a professor at UNH and reuniting with him when I taught in Boothbay. His influence reaches far & wide. He is remembered!

Anniversary? Yes, but every day I still write, though retired from teaching, thanks to Don Graves. I have his books in sight and near at hand. Some great writing influences in my life, but non beats the clear, gentle insistence about writings importance and possibility than Don Graves teachings! Running, Red Sox, Writing and DON GRAVES forever!!

It is lovely to be able to have a forum here to remember and express my enduring gratitude for Donald Graves and his inspiration which lives on in me and many others! I had just been thinking of him (isn't that interesting!) and telling about his work that led to my own courage in writing and facilitating writing with young and old. His great spirit and real presence of place is very much still with me and I know full well that my own work continues because of his absolute confidence in the...

Donald Graves is my hero. His books have been a constant guide as I try and lead my students to discover the power of their words. He has provided comfort and encouragement to me as a teacher and a writer.
Imagine my surprise years ago at the Iowa State Reading conference to find him behind me in the breakfast line. He joined my friend and myself for breakfast and a chat. I was so taken with his ease and "human-ness." I will cherish that memory and try to carry on by influencing...

I met Don at a conference in Seattle. I was one of 12 lucky teachers who pulled a ticket to eat lunch with him. I will always remember his kind, gentle spirit. No one observing that room would have been able to distinguish the mentor from the mentees. He talked to each of us as if we were family, answering our questions without a hint of frustration. I can imagine he'd answered those same questions a thousand times. I came back inspired to be myself, to continue to learn, to risk change in my...

He taught me to be a learner/writer and helped me guide my students. What greater gift? His light shines on and on.

When I was an adult as a parent, teacher, and learner, Don empowered me to read aloud my writing to a small group of four at a small school in Martha's Vineyard. He did this by being a sincere, genuine, and deeply caring listener. This small moment together changed my writing and teaching and learning life. When we met over the years, he always greeted me with a HUGE and GENTLE hug. I will miss you Don but you remain always in my mind and heart.

Maxine Bone (Toronto, Canada)

Donald Graves was a big part of my literacy education at the University of Pennsylvania. I even got a copy of his doctoral dissertation. We have lost a great educator and a leader in our field! His contributions will be greatly missed.