Obituary of PLATTOR – Emma

September 10, 1926 – September 23, 2010 A truly great teacher has passed away. Dr. Emma Plattor died on September 23, 2010 at the age of 84. Her work with teachers and educators throughout Canada and the United States lives on. Emma was born in Brooklyn, obtained her teaching certificate from Brooklyn College, taught elementary and junior high school and was a school administrator in New York. She later gained her Doctoral degree from the University of Rochester and, before coming to the University of Calgary in 1968, taught at Auburn University in Alabama and Tulane University in New Orleans. Emma was a caring, resourceful, innovative professor who was never too busy for her students or her friends. She was always at the forefront of her profession: director of the Canadian Council of Teachers of English, editor of The Journal of Educational Thought, executive member of the International Listening Association, and founder and editor of Highway One, a publication for English Language Arts teachers. These are but some of the positions she held. She was also a leader in the development of distance education and of programs on staff development. She was the author of more than a dozen books, including The Leaf Not the Tree, and Action English and of hundreds of articles published in numerous professional journals. Emma’s work was highly appreciated. Among her other honours, she was voted Superior Teacher in the Faculty of Education (University of Calgary) and Outstanding Professor by the Education Undergraduate Society, and won the Neil Hunter Research Award. She is survived by her son, Eric of Edmonton; her daughter, Candace of Vancouver; and her long-time companion, William Washburn of Calgary. Above all, Emma was a beloved, knowledgeable, compassionate woman and an educational leader whose positive influence, through her many students, colleagues, friends and writings, endures and will continue to endure for a very long time. A memorial event will be held. Details will be announced in the future. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Dr. Plattor is recognized at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Ontario as a constant, strong supporter. Gifts in her memory might be made to the organization at Stratford Shakespeare Festival, P.O. Box 520, Stratford, ON N5A 6V2, Telephone: 1-800-567-1600, www.stratfordfestival.ca. In living memory of Emma Plattor, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.