I sent this letter out to the TEC-SIG list and I share it here but I’m back-posting it in time.

Colleagues:

There’s an email making its way around, announcing a change. I didn’t get the email, maybe the spam filters picked it up but someone was kind enough to forward it to me. A short email announcing a big change, but isn’t that the way these things go.

Dr. Ron Cravey is moving on. And, I’d like to take a moment to wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his life. As a long-time member of TCEA, I remember the different TCEA Executive Directors. Robert McKnight, whom I met briefly at a Guadalupe River Ranch retreat; Dr. Alice Owen-Farsaii, whose kindness encouraged me to work on special projects with TCEA; and Dr. Ron Cravey, the guitar-totin’ yodeling ed-tech guy who had a habit of adjusting his glasses when he spoke that was contagious (it was a habit i had to resist emulating).

Although Ron and I have had our differences, I want to say that I sincerely admired his ability to seize the stage, to engage listeners, and touch our hearts with a story or song. My image of Ron in a brown or beige suit, a walkie-talky in one hand, cowboy boots and a booming voice, “HI, Miguel!” is unforgettable.

As a TCEA Area 20 Board member 8-10 years ago, I was a bit nervous and shy about serving on the Board of Directors for one of the most awesome organizations in Ed-Tech. Ron went out of his way to make me feel comfortable. I definitely felt myself a “junior” member of the Board and Ron made every effort to help new Board members learn how to work together as a Board. And, it was in those training meetings that I learned that the role of a director was when introducing a problem…lay out the options, and then make a recommendation as to the best course of action. It was advice that would serve me well in the years to come as I changed roles from being a “trainer” to a leader with my own team.

As a TEC-SIG Officer, I found that Ron still had much to teach me. I honestly believe that we both learned much that week I was banned from TEC-SIG list for sharing podcasts of our TEC-SIG meetings. I’d venture that the common lesson was that unilateral action without involving the stakeholders can have powerful consequences, that the Membership we serve must ever be our most important priority, above ego and desire to throw off the shackles of tradition as well as the dangers in changing too quickly. I learned to re-examine my level of commitment to change, and to pursue it in spite of obstacles. Without Ron, I wouldn’t have learned lessons that have served me well.

So, more than any other Executive Director TCEA has had, Dr. Ron Cravey has taught me more through his actions and efforts. While I am excited about the possibilities any change in leadership brings (simply because it means re-examining what our goals are as an organization)–and I’ve outlined some recommendations here http://mguhlin.net/2008/10/tcea-crescendo.html — I am truly grateful to Ron for being what all of us started as–a learner and teacher. I honestly believe that our diversity as learners and educators is a sign of the divine, and I am humbled to have known Ron Cravey for the last few years…I really mean that.

Wishing Ron well,

Miguel Guhlin
http://mguhlin.net

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