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I was sad to hear the passing of Jim but I truely enjoyed learning so much about him and how serious he was about his job. In working for Bright Horizons for 25 years, I have always heard many great things about him and how he was such a great avocate for teachers and the families. Your right Melissa I thought the same thing abut a rock star. Rock On Jim. We know that your family is really proud and you will never be forgotten. Thanks for all your encouragement.

I was not aware about the passing of Jim Greenman but I knew one thing for sure he enjoyed his work. He was such a professional and brightened the lives of many. Since working at Bright Horizons for nearly 25 years, I have always hjeard so many great things about him. Your right Melissa, he made everyone feel like a rock star. Rock on Jim. We know your family was very proud of you and your memories linger forever in our hearts.

I met Jim in 1990 and worked with him here and there for the following five years. I have often mentioned him to fellow teachers and have a poster with a quote from him on my classroom wall to this day. Jim made me think about how I pictured "Child Development" and encouraged us all to take another view---ask the famous question "Why Not?" Why not go out in the rain? Why not paint on the windows? He also laughed at my own childish reactions and crazy ideas, while encouraging me to keep coming up with more ideas. I recently have become re-involved in E.C.E. and just found out about Jim's passing. Jim, you will be missed today and many days to come. Thank you.

I was a center director for a smaller company in the ECE field when a company merger took place, and one of the benefits of this merger was the opportunity to be part of a team which included Jim Greenman. I was already familiar with his philosophy and writing, and then to be able to participate in training, conversations, and brainstorming with Jim and the rest of the team was one of the highlights of my ECE career! While corporate mergers continued to occur, and eventually Bright Horizons became a large company, those of us working in centers knew that inside that corporate structure beat the heart of Jim Greenman. Our 'places for childhood' and the 'world at their fingertips' curriculum were constant reminders of what was really important for the families we worked with.
I continue to quote Jim, I use his books and articles in the college courses I teach, and I will miss his contributions to our field.

It's sad and ironic that this wise and kind man worked for a corporation that does not respond to a "why not" sensibility with the creativity and openness that is due to young children.

Maybe a good topic for ChildCare Exchange could be the disconnect between this frame of mind and the "realities" of for-profit early learning.

My career in early childhood education would not be what it is without the inspiration of Jim. When I had the honor to work for Bright Horizons and I learned Jim was part of the company, I felt as though I was a part of something great. Then, I got to meet him. I really felt like I was meeting a rock star, and I told him that. He blushed and posed for a picture with me. I keep that picture in my office as an inspiration to me everyday. Thank you Jim, you will always be a part of our world.

Why not? Jim you taught us to use this phrase over and over. I will continue to say 'why not' in my work and at home. You will be missed.....we will carry on your great work my friend....

Jim will be sadly missed for his passion, wit, sense of humor and how he applied those gifts to enriching the lives of children.

Jim's message aout creating places for childhood has always kept me grounded in my work. His ideas and lyricalwriting are needed more than ever in this time of standardizing and commercializeing childhood. His passing leaves a big hole in our hearts and our professional landscape. Let's vow to quote him often and keep his message moving forward.

Deepest condolences from members of the Fiji Early Childhood Association and Pacific Preschool Council to the family and colleagues of Jim Greenman. Not only have we greatly benefited from reading a few of his books and writings, even in these small Pacific Island countries, but we have also been highly inspired. His legacy will certainly live on.....

Jim will be deeply missed. It was an honor to know him. His work is a testimony to his life of caring and advocacy for children and the importance of childhood and he leaves us a rich legacy.

We will miss Jim's wit and laughter. I am honored to be part of the community that Jim was a majopr influence in

I am stricken. (And thank you, Child Care Exchange, for letting us know.) Jim'swords have brought so much wisdom and emotion and common sense rooted with integrity that I can't imagine him not being here anymore. He has been an icon and a touchstone in my live these many years, and I am so sad to think of him being gone. So sad, but so grateful. Spring days, deep breath onward, Jim.

Laura

I met Jim just once at a conference in Winnipeg. After having us close our eyes and recalling our favourite places during our childhood he had us share these wonderful memories with each other. Then this bold American had the guts to ask us how many of us were working dilegently to ensure that the children we worked with had access to these kind of places. To our embarrassment not one hand in the room went up. But... this began a journey for me that I have yet to abandon, some 4 years later. Jim, your time with us in Winnipeg has had a significant impact in the lives of many children in Winnipeg, Canada. Thanks for caring. You will be missed.

It's hard to imagine the world of early education without Jim Greenman. His writing - so carefully composed the prose read as poetry - continued to shape my thoughts long after I left the classroom.

I'm grateful for his thinking - I'm thankful he wrote down his thoughts. In this way, his life will continue to speak and shape the next generation of early educators.

My prayers are with his family.

In 1980-81 I worked at Glendale Child Development Center in Minneapolis. I had just moved to Mpls after leaving college. My brother worked there & got me a job as a substitute teacher. I was 20 years old & had no experience. I eventually was fulltime & LOVED my job.

Somehow, working for Jim Greenman changed my life. I have been in the early childhood field ever since. I didn't know it would be my career, but working at Glendale made me choose it as a career. Of course, I didn't know then where Jim would be headed nor did I know I would be headed where I wound up either. I still think of Jim as the man I knew then with Emma only 3 years old & a "Blue Bumper." My experiences there are still very clear to me, I guess because they shaped my future. I of course have since followed Jim's career, I have his books on my shelf, etc. I'm saddened at his loss & offer my deepest condolences to his family.

A group of Oklahoma Early Childhood Professionals, (educators, directors and teachers) had the outstanding opportunity to work with Jim Greenman this past summer. What a pleasure. His sensitivity to children (and people) come out in his writing, but are really very apparent in person. What a pleasure that special time with him was.
The world has lost a champion for children but through his legacy the seeds he planted will continue to grow in all of us who knew him or knew of him.

As a young preschool director, Caring Spaces, Learning Places was an early and significant influence. Though I never met Jim Greenman, his passion and personality came through on each page. His sensibilities resonated with and shaped mine.

Better things happened for the children in our care because of the ideas his writing inspired. What a wonderful legacy!

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

I am very sad to hear of Jim's death. Although I hadn't seen him in recent years, I have the fondest memories of his dry wit and deep caring and thinking. I will miss his articles that always looked at the situation from a sensible and sensitive (and funny) point of view. Please convey my condolences to his loved ones.

I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jim Greenman. I have been in the field of early childhood education for over 22 years. Jim Greenman's name was a very familiar one to me. I have read many of his books and articles, though never met him. I highly respected him as one of the leaders in this industry. His passing will be a tremendous loss for me and for the field of early childhood education! My sympathies to his entire family.

It's very sad to know about Jim Greenman. Though I have met him personally on very few occassions at the WORLD FORUMS, I am influenced by his writings in the Exchange magazine. I also read his book 'what happened to my world' & was moved. There shall be a vaccum in the world of ECE though nothing can be wiped out what he has done. I know him very little, yet as a colleauge of the World Forum community & a fellow of the early childhood field I feel that this is a great loss. My sincere condolence to his family & friends. May his soul rest in peace!

One of my secret goals in life was to meet and talk to Jim Greenman. I am so sorry that it will never happen now; we have lost a wonderful advocate for childhood.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim Greenman's death His work and his presence has been of tremendous importance to so many people in early childhood education, in his work as a child advocate, and in all the other places touched by his ideas, his energies, and his friendship.

The field has lost an inspiring colleague and an outstanding teacher. Children everywhere have lost a champion for their need and right to have nurturing places and beautiful spaces that are uniquely theirs.

The most vivid memory I have of Jim occurred years ago while he was just beginning his career in Ames, Iowa. He sat in our student housing living/dining/everything room and laughed and shared with Bob Fuqua, Dorothy Labensohn, and Geri Bugg. He was exhilarated about the completion of a local infant/toddler center on which he had consulted. Despite all the "shop" talk and adult comaraderie, Jim's most serious attention was first and foremost directed toward his tiny daughter who toddled among us. How he loved children--especially his own!

With deepest condolences to his family but also with gratitude for all he has
contributed,

Pauline Davey Zeece

Bonnie and Roger, thank you for posting such a touching message in memorial of Jim. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends. Jim was an inspired leader in the field of ECE and as Chairman of the Board for the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, he provided a vision of how all children could be given the gift of play. Through his leadership and wisdom over 200 Bright Spaces, play spaces, have been created in homeless shelters and other agencies serving children and families in crisis. We will miss him very much.

Jim was a giant among us who never lost his “inner child,” approaching the world with vigor, questions, and unveiled eyes. I’ll miss him so much. He’s who I’d turn to for the real story, the fresh insight, the broad view. He was informed energy and focused chaos. A keen observer of children, human behavior, and nature, he made us take second looks. He didn’t suffer fools but his heart was huge. His mind worked so fast he left us trailing after him but his flashes of brilliance egged me on. I love that he retained a sense of beauty and wonder, the foundations of hope. A mentor, instigator, friend, Jim meant more to me than I even knew.

I am so sad to hear of Jim's passing. I have followed Jim Greenman's work through his writing and presentations for more than twenty years, and grown myself as an early educator because of it. Jim's legacy will remind me to live my values every day, both inside and outside the classroom, and to carry on the spirit of what he so aptly accomplished in his life.

I am very sad to hear of the passing of Jim Greenman. I had the honor of meeting Jim on several occassions. I have lived by his writings and enjoyed his up front, down to earth, children first, family first teachings. He should be honored by his "real world", "modern" approach for providing quality in early childhood education. Jim will be missed, but his legacy will live on.

On this Tuesday of the Christian Holy Week, amidst the fading cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, and at the close of a brilliant U.S. presidential journey abroad, the thoughts and memories of Jim Greenman will permeate the cosmos. He was one of the "smiling faces" I always looked for at World Forums and NAEYC conferences. His legacy for his own and thousands of children around the world is testimony for a global world. He once shared his cab with me returning from an event in Atlanta, waving off my half of the fare with the words, I have an expense account. How like Jim to help a colleague in such a practical and thoughtful way. Dedicate your spaces and places to his memory and in honor of the children in your life.

I didn't know Jim but after reading your thoughts he was a man to be admired. Thank you Jim for everything you achieved and for making our world a better one.

In all my years in the field I never met Jim Greenman. However, I have been greatly influenced by his work. He had a wonderful way with words and a great ability to help us see the world through the eyes of a child. He was an unabashed fan of childhood and he reminded us that it is our responsibility to protect children's worlds the best way we know how. I have eagerly anticipated his latest books and am sad knowing no more will come. I will miss Jim Greenman and will keep his 'philosophy' close to heart and mind.

so sad to hear of Jim's passing- what an world wide inspiratoin- thank you Jim.

I am so sad to hear of Jim Greenman's death. I will hold his ideas about the importance of living the good life, of providing space and freedom and care for children that might give them as much of a feel of privacy, self-determination, home and community as I can, and keep his warnings about institutions and childhood and child care with me always.
Yesterday I wrote about our children's play with big cardboard boxes, the way they hide, make homes, find endless ways to use simple things, play wildly and calmly, follow their own, but a universal agenda. I think maybe I was channeling ideas I had learned from Jim Greenman and will dedicate my thoughts to his memory. Thank you for sharing this significant loss with the early childhood community.