Here are some memories from instructors and staff of the Summer Math for Teachers program at Mount Holyoke College, a professional development program that John participated in, every summer from 1985 through 1992(when their focus changed to elementary and middle-school teachers). This experience revolutionized his approach to teaching. Prior to this program, he'd always lectured from the blackboard in the old style. He presented the students with problems, explained them, and then gave them problems to solve on their own. In his words, “The role of the math teacher is becoming one of a facilitator. The teacher is no longer the resident expert, but rather a person who goes around to small groups to ensure students are on task and attempting to reach consensus.” * * * * * * * I am sorry to hear of your father's death. I was very fond of him. I started working for SummerMath for Teachers in 1985. I visited your father's classroom once a week for that school year, and we continued to work together for years after. I learned a lot from John, and he was very gracious to communicate how much he was learning from us, though he was decades our senior. In the early 90s, I taught an algebra class for teachers of grades 2-12. When groups shared their approaches to a problem, John listened carefully. Afterwards, he would say with appreciation, "I brought out the bazooka to solve that problem, but the elementary teachers showed us how to solve it so elegantly with a fly swatter!" Deborah Schifter Principal Research Scientist Science and Mathematics Programs Education Development Center, Inc. * * * * * * * I worked in the SummerMath for Teachers program during the time your father was head of the math department at Holyoke High School, and he participated in my courses. After he retired and started teaching in a charter school in South Hadley, on occasion he would borrow materials from us to use there. He was a very nice man. He really cared about the success of his students and was very dedicated. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Virginia Bastable Mathematics Lecturer Director, SummerMath for Teachers * * * * * * * I have been working for the SummerMath for Teachers program for many years, and I remember John Foley popping in to visit us over in Shattuck Hall from time to time, which we always welcomed. Janet Paquette Senior Administrative Assistant Professional and Graduate Education Mathematics Leadership Programs Mount Holyoke College * * * * * * * We are sad to hear of John's passing, but happy to remember such a wonderful individual. We came to know John when we became directors of the Summermath program for female high school students and began to seek scholarship money for academically motivated students whose families did not have the means to send them to SummerMath. John didn't participate in our courses, but he mentored many students in making sure they found a way to us. He was quick to understand that we were not necessarily looking for superstars who garner many resources, but for solid students who fly just under the radar for prizes and scholarships. He worked very hard, not only to let students know about these opportunities, but to go the extra mile to encourage them to enter into unfamiliar territory--especially to convince their families to allow them to cross the river from Holyoke to South Hadley. John knew that in the eyes of his students and their families, being far from home was not based on distance but on culture and gender. He sent many wonderful students our way over the years. We were especially sorry to see him retire because no one after him understood these issues so well and worked so hard to connect students with scholarships. Through our work with John, we came to admire his deep caring for students regardless of background, his belief that all students can learn mathematics, and his commitment to getting students the best education possible. We were impressed by John's willingness to be exposed to different points of view, including the idea that “Algebra wasn't always the best way to solve an "algebra" problem.” We are grateful for his influence on us and on his students. Charlene Morrow Director, SummerMath Senior Lecturer Emerita, Psychology and Education James Morrow, Director, SummerMath Senior Lecturer Emeritus, Mathematics and Statistics