National School Reform Faculty

Nancy Mohr
Listserv: Coaches & Facilitators

Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness I must inform you that NSRF has lost a dear friend and valued colleague.

Nancy Mohr suffered a stroke last night and passed away at 3:30 this afternoon.

There will be a memorial for her before the end of the year.
Services will be on Sunday. Details are pending.
Katy, IN

I am saddened. Nancy Mohr leaves a spirit that has touched many lives. Her spirit will remain in my heart always.
Deryl, TX

All I can say is that I might have muddled through being a school leader without Nancy. However, I know that I am a better school leader because of her. We shared a passion for equity and I will truly miss her
Denise, RI

I learned so much from Nancy. There was never a time when I was in her presence, even for a short while, that I didn't learn something. She had such a wry sense of humor and a wonderful "tell it like it is" manner about her. I will miss this great teacher of mine.
JoAnne, ME

Oh oh oh oh
what a thoroughly vibrant and beautiful woman
I went out into the night with a candle
to be with her spirit
and my gratitude, my reverence
I want to hold you all now
like birds, with care
Love,
Edorah, VT

I loved her insights and her wit and her style. I have several (imitation) Nancy necklaces, but could never carry them off the way she did. How can we have lost this vibrant woman?
She was intensely proud that her own photograph graced the cover of her new book--how fitting that the picture was an exploration of structures.
I am so, so sad.
Peggy, NH

Yesterday I felt Nancy's energy rise up and rain on all the hundreds of us across the country. Nancy is a gift to all of us, like the precious dust on the wings of a monarch butterfly that will help us fly so far, so very far, and do the work in the world that needs doing. Missing her will be remembering her and all she taught and gave and shared and cared about. A miracle in red high top sneakers!
Marylyn, ME

I too, was remembering the red high tops that she got in Houston. I'm remembering far too many things to mention them all here and now, but each time I pause in my work today, my thoughts return to Nancy, her laugh, her voice, her leadership and her friendship. She had style, and I will always feel enriched for having known her.
Debbie, PA

She was a friend, a teacher, a mentor and a great inspiration. I only wish I had more time with her on this earth so that I could continue to learn from her. My heart and soul ache........ but what a joy it was having her in my life, the lady in black. She will always live on in our hearts and minds.
Wendy, PA

I was not fortunate enough to have know Nancy well, but as she is reflected in your words, she was a remarkable woman. I have, however, had the privilege of working with Alan, her husband, to whom I offer my sincerest condolences.
Marie, NY

It is such a loss to our community - She will be missed by many.
Michaelann, TX

A dear, dear friend, a powerful mentor!
Dave, NY

For the 15 years I have known her, Nancy Mohr was my most influential mentor. I started teaching at University Heights fresh out of graduate school. After my interview, Nancy asked me if I was willing to work really hard! That ought to tell us something about her dedication and devotion to students everywhere.

I will never forget her talent, humor, wit and wisdom.
Lisa, AZ

What a shock! My condolences to her husband Alan. She conducted the teacher’s coach’s workshop series at NYU 2 years ago; she was most influential in my coaching progress. What a lady; we will miss her.
Nancy, NY

There is a song by the group Secret Garden, that always makes me think of an extraordinary teacher... and today I listened to it in Nancy's honor. To be in the room with her was truly to be raised up.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come, and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas.
And I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... to more than I can be.
Thank you, Nancy, for all you shared with so many.
Linda, FL

Nancy Mohr, Small Schools Movement Leader
On September 18, at the National Small Schools Campaign meeting in Chicago, we were stunned and saddened to hear the news of Nancy Mohr's death. Nancy was a founding member of the Campaign, a wonderful educator, school reform thinker, leader and activist.
Nancy was the founding principal of University Heights High School, a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools since its inception and an original Compact Partner school. She worked nationally with the Coalition of Essential Schools and the Annenberg Institute for School Reform and was the director of the National School Reform Faculty in New York. She was married to Alan Dichter, a small-schools activist and reform leader in the New York Public Schools.

Nancy spoke and wrote on a wide range of issues, especially those concerning teacher professional development and change leadership. Her brilliant chapter, "Small Schools Are Not Miniature Large Schools" found in the book A Simple Justice: The Challenge of Small Schools (Teachers College Press), offers a primer for small-schools leaders and teachers. In it she wrote:

Building a culture that supports social justice and a belief in the worth of each member of the school community requires constant vigilance and attention to details. The way each person is spoken to, the behaviors expected as a matter of course, the insistence that small infractions not be ignored--these are the ways that a democracy develops. The big events, the conflict-resolution training, writing the mission statement, holding a retreat for team-building--these are helpful, but in the end might not count as much as the small, everyday things

If a school community, including its leadership, does not have sufficient courage and is not ready for the hard, slow, frustrating work it takes to build a truly caring and demanding culture, one which empowers and enriches kids, then it might just a well settle in to the more common, traditional ways of being a doing and just keep on hoping for the best.
Mike, Small Schools Workshop

Our condolences to Alan and Nancy's family. Nancy Mohr will be greatly missed.
Santo, CO