Theodore R. Sizer, June 23, 1932- October 21, 2009

 

 

 

Ted Sizer was an amazing man, a man you could truly admire.  He was caring and dedicated.  He always took time to listen.  His work continues through the many educators who had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful human being and the students who benefited from having Ted in their lives.  We will miss him.

 

Paula Terrasi, Mother of Michael (Class of 2003) and David (Class of 2009)

 

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Cory's advisory last Wed. went to help Nancy Sizer with yard work. They ate lunch on her deck and talked  with her about Ted Sizer's impact and devotion to Parker. Cory came away with such great feelings and wonderful respect for what the Sizers have given to our school.

Parker has given both my children a wonderful and individual learning experience. It has also become our second home and a source for Jeffrey and I to expand our social community. We will miss our daily connection with the school after both graduate, but hope to keep the many friends and ties we have built over the years.

Elisa Van Auken, Mother of Addison (Class of 2010) and Cory (Class of 2010)

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In the spring of 2005 for my senior project at Parker I created an oral history of the school. Ted and Nancy were kind enough to allow me to interview them for around an hour about their memories of the school and their thoughts on its mission. After doing background research on the essential schools movement for the project and realizing how influential the Sizers were, I gained a special appreciation for how their willingness to be simply "Ted and Nancy" at Parker exemplified the school's culture of informality coupled with genuine respect.

One of the most memorable things Ted shared in the interview was his initial reaction to hearing that Parker's charter had been approved: "delight and stark terror," he recalled. It was a feeling I shared when I completed that senior project and graduated from Parker, and recently it was a feeling I experienced once again upon graduating from college. Ted's faith in his educational philosophy and his willingness to throw himself behind the effort to create Parker despite the "terror" of trying something new contributed to a fantastic high school experience for me and hundreds of my fellow students. For that I am deeply grateful.

Fletcher Fernau, Parker Class of 2005

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More than all of the wonderful things he accomplished for the world of education, Ted was the patriarch of our incredible Parker family. He created a place for all of us to become who we are today. He instilled in all of us the ideals that he so eloquently preached. More importantly, he opened up a world for us to learn, to push ourselves, and to flourish. He taught us perhaps the most important thing which was, that we are all in charge of our own education. He taught us through his humility, humor, and profound love of education and because of this Ted’s work will live on.

Jess Kane, Parker Class of 2003

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All of us have the ability to dream big, but not all of us have the clarity of vision or resources to actualize those dreams.  Part of what is so stunning about Ted Sizer's dream is that not only did he galvanize and harness the gifts and talents of others to actualize his own dream; in the process he spearheaded the creation of a community that continually supports the best in its members.  Many of us are not even aware of what our capabilities are until we begin to mine the reservoir of ideas, thoughts, and possibilities.  Ted's ideas have informed us about how to challenge our children, offering the deepest respect for them as individual learners.  From the pattern of risk taking and learning comes the positive cycle that creates more of the same.

 
Students can be excited about not only their own achievements, but those of others.  Each student's accomplishment stands on its own, but side by side with others creates a panoply of sparkling display.

 
I am grateful to have been able to participate in Ted's dream from the standpoint of a parent, and hope to be able to support the continuing ripples outward as each wave of students graduates and moves into the larger world community.  Thank you, Ted, for all you have given to us.

 
Meg Stafford, parent of Gale, class of 2008, and Kate, class of 2013

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As news of Ted Sizer's passing spreads through our community, we have been receiving many kind thoughts and tributes to him through cards, letters, and emails.  Parker would like to provide a forum for all of your memories and thoughts about the innovative, brilliant, warm man he was.  We will use some of these thoughts in our upcoming Parker Way issue and will also create an on-line tribute section of our website, www.parker.org.  Please send your messages to kfolger@parker.org.