Acknowledgments
For the academic endeavor, I am indebted to the kind, inspiring and deeply provocative mentoring of Noreen Garman; the transformative educational encounters created by/with Michael Gunzenhauser; the collegiality and companionship of Matthew Rhodes and Bryan Stephany; the supportive critique of Jean Ferguson Carr, Patricia McMahon, and Robert Lake; and the faithful reads and edits of Leah Lederman and Emily Parrino.
For the realization of this study as a book, I am grateful to my editors, Robert Lake and Tricia Kress, for their enthusiasm for and guidance of my work; and to the publication team at Brill who patiently navigated deadlines with me through the ups and downs of my chronic illness and lent me such professional expertise, especially Evelien van der Veer, Alessandra Giliberto, and Jolanda Karada.
For the nourishing stories and personal-professional companionship, I thank the staff of Birchwood School of Hawken and my teacher friends, especially Hannah Birchman, Beth Driehaus, Eileen Hannigan, Pam Quinlan, Megan Sweet, Hannah Bontje, Grace Wang, and Theresa Tropp.
For surrounding me with communion in my life during this time, I honor the friends and family who cared for my family and my heart: Peter Debelak, Thawivann Spalding, Marianne Uechi, Cindy McNaughton, Jessica Carlton-Humenik, Cecily Routman, Susanna Nadeau, Paul Neider, Jonalea Neider, Kristen Cliffel, Joe and Emily Parrino, and Ann Masterson.
For the initiation, process, and partnering in this book and my Becoming, I deeply love my parents, Chuck and Helene Debelak, who inspire and live a Becoming life as educators; my children, Jonah and Phoebe, whose very presence prompted me to find the most loving and respectful way to be human; and my husband, Samuel Neider, who Becomes together with me, always.