Stirring the Waters: The Influence of Marie Clay

Stirring the Waters celebrates Marie Clay as a major theorist and researcher whose work has influenced international communities of scholars and practitioners across wide-ranging disciplines. This edited volume represents the depth and breadth of Clay's contributions to education.

The authors of these essays share a common bond—their esteem for Marie Clay. Although representing diverse perspectives, the ideas of these distinguished scholars from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States have been stirred in some way by her work. Each one viewed this volume as an opportunity to express creative and new ideas. In addition to Janet Gaffney and Billie Askew, the scholars featured include: Stuart McNaughton, David Olson, Peter Johnston, Barbara Watson, Bridie Raban, Charlotte Huck, Anne Haas Dyson, John Guthrie, Irene Fountas, Gay Su Pinnell, Courtney Cazden, Carol Lyons, Peter Mortimore, Jo Mortimore, Viviane Robinson, James Walker, Noel Jones, and M. Trika Smith-Burke.

Most of all, Stirring the Waters is a way to recognize Marie Clay in the most significant way acknowledged by our profession—our work in honor of her work. Teachers, school psychologists, administrators, and researchers in multiple disciplines will be fascinated as they gain insight into the scope of Clay's interests and the eminent scholars whose views have been stirred (or shaken) by hers.

Janet S. Gaffney is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and program coordinator of the graduate program in mild disabilities. Gaffney serves on the International Reading Association’s Commission on Diverse Learners and on the Research Committee of the Reading Recovery Council of North America.

Billie J. Askew is a professor in the Department of Reading and Bilingual Education at Texas Woman’s University. Her work focuses on early literacy and the prevention of literacy difficulties. Askew is the director of Reading Recovery at the University and past president of the Reading Recovery Council of North America.