The Magical Touch of a Perceptive Individual

Abstract

Editorial The Magical Touch of a Perceptive IndividualThis Journal has been built by the efforts of a broad range of people. Its editor receives much of the kudos, but no editor should or would claim credit for all or even most of the Journal's success. Many others play crucial, but less obvious, roles. Jim DeRose was one of those individualsone who had a profound influence on the fact that this Journal is coming to you today. I am sorry to have to say "Jim was". He died on November 29, 2003. The entire JCE community mourns his loss, but more importantly all of us should celebrate and emulate the "magical touch of a perceptive individual" (1), something that Jim exemplified. Jim DeRose's contributions to this Journal alone would place him at the forefront of chemical education. In the 1970s advertising revenues were falling and publication costs were rising. Those managing the Journal's business affairs suggested that the Journal might have to cease publication. In 1974 the Board of Publication talked Jim DeRose into becoming Publications Coordinator because the Board needed someone who exhibited integrity, sense, industry, and tenacity. Within a short time Jim put the Journal on a sound financial footing that remains to this day. "James V. DeRose literally saved the Journal of Chemical Education from financial ruin when he took over as Publications Coordinator in one of its darkest days." (2). In addition, in the early 1980s Jim was a driving force behind the expansion of Journal content to include many more articles written by and useful to high school chemistry teachers. He worked very closely with Mickey Sarquis, the first editor of the modern Secondary School Chemistry section, to define content and recruit high school teacher-authors.There is much more to tell about this extraordinary individual. He began his career as a high school teacher in Easton, Maryland in 1940 and subsequently taught at Chester and Marple Newtown High Schools in Pennsylvania. He was a superlative, innovative teacher who won many awards including, in 1970, the ACS's highest award for a high school teacher, the Conant Award. At Marple Newtown Jim developed an independent study program for high school chemistry students because he thought that the activity of prime importance for students was "learning how to learn whatever they need to learn" (3). That he was well ahead of his time is also evident in a 1971 JCE article that sets forth criteria for evaluating the success of his and his colleagues' teaching (4). Two decades after taking his course a student wrote, "It was really a tripartite course in chemistry, how to learn on your own, and how to treat others. The kindness and respect with which you conducted self-paced chemistry have made a lasting impression on me."Jim was also a joiner and leader. In the 1960s he was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Science Teachers Association, and he was the organization's president in 1965-66. He was on the Board of Directors of the Chemical Bond Approach (CBA) curriculum pro...

From the Beginning: The Journal of Chemical Education and Secondary School Chemistry

“…One of the early chairs of the High School Committee was Jim DeRose (Figure ), who became publications coordinator of the Journal in 1974 during my watch as editor-in-chief. As John W. Moore, another former editor-in-chief, has written:…”

“…One of the early chairs of the High School Committee was Jim DeRose (Figure 5), 14 who became publications coordinator of the Journal in 1974 during my watch as editor-in-chief. As John W. Moore, another former editor-in-chief, has written: 15 Chemical education has benefitted enormously from Jim DeRose's quiet, selfless, and courteous, yet firm, influence. John went on to observe: 15 This Journal might not exist, there might be no High School Days at ACS meetings, offerings from the ACS Education and International Activities Division might be quite different, and literally thousands of students might be less interested in chemistry.…”

“…As John W. Moore, another former editor-in-chief, has written: 15 Chemical education has benefitted enormously from Jim DeRose's quiet, selfless, and courteous, yet firm, influence. John went on to observe: 15 This Journal might not exist, there might be no High School Days at ACS meetings, offerings from the ACS Education and International Activities Division might be quite different, and literally thousands of students might be less interested in chemistry. The grant will provide invaluable assistance in assembling and publishing materials high school chemistry teachers need to keep abreast of developments and to enliven their teaching.…”