ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      The activities of the Network have been possible due to the assistance of many wonderful people. Our journey was inspired by the tremendous leadership of Charles S. Benson, former Director (1987-1992) of NCRVE, Charles held urban teachers and students close to his heart. During his years as NCRVE's director he provided a national presence, personal dedication, and compassion that defined the network and set a tone of dignity and decency for all to emulate. Since his passing, many Urban Schools Network sites have established scholarship funds and renamed buildings in his honor. His vision lives on.

      Charles was assisted by the Network's first director, Ruth Katz. Ruth's enthusiasm and genuine concern for Network members laid the foundation for a network that was driven by the needs and ideas of Network members. Without her efforts there would have been no network. She provided for many educators a reason to keep going. Meanwhile, Lola Jackson and Marilyn Raby, both field consultants for the Network, built its infrastructure, criss-crossing the nation to work personally with each Network site. Charles, Ruth, Lola, and Marilyn provided the opportunity for all of us at NCRVE's Urban Schools Network to work with dedicated and talented educators from around the nation.

      We also thank the Network Fellows who assisted Network teams through facilitation, technical assistance, and darn good advice. According to Network members, fellows made it possible to stay the course when many circumstances made it difficult to endure. Many more thanks go out to the current NCRVE director, David Stern, and the entire NCRVE office staff, who went out of their way to help us, especially Sally Hamaji and Iberia Todd, who helped design and carry out our many Network events.

      Ultimately we thank the Network members for working with us for the last five years. You have inspired us to know all that we can about what it takes to support schools so that schools can best serve students. The Urban Schools Network has been a collaborative adventure in every sense of the word. To each person who has made it possible, we sincerely thank you.

Erika Nielsen Andrew

Carolyn Dornsife

Maggie Flack

Mayo Tsuzuki Hallinan

Lola Jackson

Marilyn Raby

Mimi Harris Steadman

Berkeley, CA
1997