In Appreciation of Dean Klammer’s Support to the CSMP
From the CRLP:
Many people talk the talk - Tom Klammer walks the walk. His support for K-12 language and literacy development goes beyond what might be expected of a Dean of Humanities, extending his influence beyond the halls of the university and into the classrooms of elementary and high school students across the state. Dean Klammer was a founding member of the California Reading and Literature Project Policy Board in the 1980s and graciously agreed to continue serving as the CRLP Advisory Board Chair until this year. His commitment and dedication, not to mention his institutional memory, have served to support this organization during many transitions: the expansion from a “Literature” to a “Reading and Literature” Project in 1996, the transition from offering leadership invitational experiences to a relatively small number of individual teachers to becoming a large-scale professional development provider to entire schools and districts numbering in the thousands, and the transition in executive leadership in 2000 when two new co-executive directors came on board. These two co-executive directors, some ten years later, along with the other CRLP Advisory Board members, would agree that his presence and perseverance, his deep knowledge about the CSMP, and his policy memory created a sense of stability (and calm) that was and is greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed.
As for Tom Klammer’s “humanity,” we can't think of anyone else whose title reflects his character as much as does Tom's. Dean of Humanities sort of sums it up. He has a keen understanding of the complexity of what influences people to act humanely and always tries to support that in every way possible, which is why he so values and supports K-12 language and literacy development - particularly when it pertains to under-represented students. His communication style reflects this humanity. Tom has always managed to keep his reflective "cool" under the most difficult circumstances, diffusing potentially volatile situations through his diplomatic and respectful leadership style as we navigated our way through often-treacherous terrain during the “reading wars.” Tom, the entire CRLP community extends our heartfelt thanks for your many years of service and our very best wishes for a wonderful retirement.
From FIRST:
For most of its 22-year history at CSU Fullerton, the Fullerton International Resources for Students and Teachers (FIRST) has had the exceedingly good fortune to have Dean Thomas Klammer as friend, advocate and Principal Investigator. As a regional site of the California International Studies Project (CISP), FIRST has had the privilege of helping to extend the University’s international affairs resources from the campus to the community, and no one has been a stronger or more insightful and consistent advisor of the professional development outreach to local teachers, schools and districts than Tom. He has frequently guided program development, assisted with extraordinarily timely logistical support, and provided an essential vision for the site’s long-range planning and sustainability. He has unfailingly assisted FIRST’s staff in meeting the inevitable challenges of linking University and community resources in the service of teacher professional growth. CSUF has become one of the State’s most valued and respected university sponsors of California Subject Matter Project sites, and Tom has played an invaluable role in that process. We extend generous thanks and wishes for a wonderful retirement to you, Tom.
From CISP and the International Studies Community:
CISP and the broader international studies community are also deeply indebted to Dean Klammer for yet another contribution, or at least potential contribution, to our field. He played an extraordinary two-part role in helping to initiate national legislation that, if successful, will bring significant federal funds into the field of teacher professional growth in international studies. As part of a CSUF delegation visit to the nation’s capitol, the Dean presented a CISP-developed resolution and proposal, the U.S. and the World Education Act, to CSUF Congressional representatives. Interest generated by the Congressional visit and subsequent discussions led to a statewide forum on international studies sponsored by and conducted on the campus in May 2008. Originally introduced into federal legislation by Assemblywoman Loretta Sanchez in the fall 2008, the measure was recently reintroduced in the new Congress as H.R. 3359: The U.S. and the World Education Act. Should this measure eventually be successful, teachers nationwide will have the benefit of deeper professional training in world affairs, and we’ll all have an additional reason for being grateful for Tom’s leadership and initiative.
From the CSMP Executive Director:
CSMP extends its humble thanks to Dean Tom Klammer from the thousands of teachers who have benefited from your dedication and support for the concept and the actions of the California Subject Matter Project in all of its forms. You, Dean Klammer, have been a model of professionalism to all of us and most certainly to the CSU system in concert with CSMP, as an intersegmental program, for unadulterated dedication to the success of the entire public school enterprise and to the children and youth we all serve.
Your colleagues throughout the CSU, UC, and Private and Independent University systems together with CSMP salute both your service and your retirement. We hope that you enjoy reflecting on the gifts you have shared and the good work you have done for California.
We are not England, or we might be able to confer Knighthood, but we can share good honor for your service. We hope you will accept being CSMP’s First Expert in Residence and Dedicated Scholar and Servant to Teachers and Teaching in California, Emeritus.
There is simply no complete way of sharing our gratitude. We are in your debt.
Best Regards,
Jean Treiman
Executive Director
California Subject Matter Project
University of California, Office of the President