Saturday, December 20, 2008

Remembering Joe Kincheloe

This morning I awoke to read that my friend and mentor, Joe Kincheloe, died of a heart attack late last night. Joe was one of the lions of critical pedagogy. Born and raised in Tennessee, his slow and gentle drawl comes to mind, even as I remember the complex ideas he would share with me.

Joe was a humble man, a musician, a writer, a thinker, and a teacher. I never felt small in his presence. I always felt welcomed and loved. My heart is broken, for his wife, Shirley, his children and grandchildren, his friends, colleagues, and students, and for all the people who will never get to know a wonderful man.

I would write more, but I don't yet have the words.

4 comments:

Stéphanie Demers said...

I've been crying for two hours... I don't have the words either. Joe Kincehloe's writings are the basis for the relationships I build with my students, for the battles I fight at the University.


I met him once, at the Paulo and Nita Freire Project launch. I'm grateful for those few moments. He was a gentlu soul, a brilliant man, and a powerful warrior for social justice.

Anonymous said...

In an act of incredible generosity, Joe Kincheloe agreed to serve on my dissertation committee at the University of Pittsburgh because I was having difficult finding faculty who supported my work in critical pedagogy. After reading my proposal, he send back an e-mail and said, "I'd be glad to serve on your committee." Just like that. Such was the measure of this remarkable scholar and human being. We will carry on the work in his name and as we do, we will remember his grace and compassion.

Anonymous said...

Joe Kincheleo has been friend, mentor, advisor, teacher and support for the Native American people since 1981. Since learning of his passing yesterday something is gone from my heart. Our greatest plan for the American Indian people will be cancelled because of his leaving. Some of the most important development in Indian Country came about because of Joe's educational influence: hospitals, major development, housing construction for the needy, congressional jobs bills, the Indian College Accreditation of 1982 and much more. Our people will have ceremonies for Joe and his family along with traditional memorials. Indian Country has suffered a great loss in the man that everyone loved, Kola 'friend' Joe Kincheleo.
Chief Carl Waln
Sioux Nation

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