Thoughts about Dr. McInnis
The following remembrances of Dr. McInnis were emailed by
some of his family, former colleagues, friends, and
students. If you have anything you would like to add,
please use the email link at the bottom of the page. Thank
you.
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I, too, was saddened when I learned of the passing of Phil
McInnis. He was a huge influence on the shaping of my
philosophy of teaching children. When much of the world was
straying from the use of phonemic awareness and other
aspects of Phil's programs, I kept plugging away. Now that
the pendulum is swinging back, I was never gone, and I feel
comfortable in the methods I use to help children learn.
Thank you to Phil's family for sharing this gem with so
many educators. The world truly is a better place thanks to
his presence in it.
Rose Fleming
----
I have taught kindergarten for 15 years and Dr. McInnis is
by far the smartest man I had ever met in my life. I had
the pleasure of attending seminars and having Phil in our
school several times. Dr. McInnis would always screen a few
of my very special little guys, and was always a pleasure
to watch with them. Once when trying to describe who I was
going to visit to my students, one thing led to another and
one boy dubbed him Dr. Cereal. This past fall I went to new
district that does not do ARL. What a difference!!!! I was
searching this site for ammo to introduce ARL to my new
district and was sadden to learn of Phil's death. God bless
you Phil, and thank you!
M. Flint
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I was deeply saddened to hear of Phil's passing recently.
All I have ever known about teaching Kindergarten came from
the two ARL Workshops I took in Red Deer (1997) and
Edmonton (1998), and then again when I had the priviledge
to be a part of ARL teaching team at the Lethbridge
workshops (1999, 2000). Every opportunity I had to talk
with and listen to Phil left me with greater confidence in
my teaching ability and a better understanding of how
children learn. I am very thankful for the opportunities I
have had to learn from such a great man. The inspiration he
has left us with will live on in the many teachers and
students who worked with. Phil, you will always be in our
hearts.
Katharyn Blades
----
I had the pleasure of meeting Phil in the summer of 1995.
He was in Fort McMurray to deliver his four day workshop. I
was six months pregnant at the time and, as physically
uncomfortable as I was, there was something about his
program that I knew could revolutionize the way I taught. I
was a pretty new teacher then, having only 2 years of
teaching credit to my name. Assured Readiness for Learning,
over 25 years old then, made sense to me - the emphasis on
the sound/symbol relationship, the way it broke down the
reading process into keys and blends, the concrete way of
breaking words into syllables and putting them back
together again, the way the blindfolds could help students
visualize things on the "chalkboards in their minds."
Phil always had a personal touch. Out of a huge crowd of
teachers in Fort McMurray, he approached me on a break to
inquire about my pregnancy. He advised me to move the crib
around the room, once the baby was born, to stimulate its
brain. I did just as he recommended and I think that‚s one
of the reasons my daughter turned out to be so smart!
In January of 1996, I took over the kindergarten class at
Father J.A. Turcotte omi School in Fort McMurray. Over the
next four years, the Assured Readiness for Learning program
became an integral component of my kindergarten program,
making a difference between non-success and success for
most of my students.
I had the pleasure of teaching with Phil at two of his
workshops in Alberta, one in Red Deer and one in Stoney
Plain. With each session, Phil was affable and I learned
even more about him and his program.
I was saddened to hear of Phil's passing and my thoughts
and prayers go out to his family. He inspired me to become
a better, more effective teacher and I will miss him.
Valerie Dyck
----
On his many trips to Brentwood I the pleasure of escorting
Dr. McInnis to the schools. It was always a challenge
keeping him on schedule as he was always answering "just
one more" question or demonstrating "just one more" ARL
technique. His stamina and good humor were unfailing. His
expertise, dedication and gentle manner has made a positve
impact on the education of our students and teachers. The
Brentwood educational community is flourishing thanks to
his knowledge and time. A special thanks to his family for
allowing him to share precious time with us.
Happy Sails to you Phil!
Sincerely,
Kate
Corkery
----
Final goodbyes bring such sorrow. It is difficult to
imagine this feeling will mellow with time. I began
reflecting over the 19 years I knew Phil and I truly am a
better person and administrator as a result of his presence
in my life.
When I began my administrative career he gave me a vision,
focus and work ethic I have taken with me to three school
districts. In administration, paperwork daily problems and
the beauracracy in general can be distracting from what
really is important.
Phil taught me to always, above all, focus on the child,
understand the details that are important, and attend to
details relentlessly. He served as a model of perseverance,
dignity, patience, and caring. I learned not to take myself
so seriously but to take my responsibility for each child
in my school very seriously.
I have much to reflect on looking back over my years of
knowing Phil and the memories are very comforting.
To Phil's family, thank you for sharing him, he left this
world a better place for children, teachers, and
administrators. His memory will live on through each of us.
I am sorry it not possible for me to attend the memorial
service, however, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Gary VanDeCarr Principal Split Rock
Elementary
----
Words cannot fully describe Phil. He was a mentor, a friend
and a teacher. His love for his family was obvious as he
shared over and over sweet stories of his children and
grandchildren. His humor will always be remembered. I often
think of us trying to con him out of his credit card for
one of our seminar shopping sprees. He wouldn't dignify our
silliness witha reply....just an arch of that eyebrow.
For the past several months I have shared the ups and downs
of his sad illness with him and his family.
As much as I credit him with personally elevating my
teaching skills, I feel his dignity and love he shared with
nurses, doctors and his family is what we should all strive
to emulate. He was a wonderful man-human as any but super
human in his affect on educators, his beloved family and
most of all the ARL children of this country and Canada.
I am priviledged to call him friend. My sympathy is with
all the McInnis family. I wish I could be there to share
the celebration of his life.
"To be absent from the body is to be present with the
Lord."
Love,
Barbara
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We are sincerely grateful for the dedication Dr. McInnis
showered on our children. At Split Rock thousands of
children have gained a solid foundation in reading thanks
to the ARL program. We will continue to be steadfast
followers, enlightening our students and carrying on Dr.
McInnis' name and work.
A devoted man has passed, but his legacy will live on. Dr.
McInnis will always hold a special place in the heart of
Split Rock teachers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Respectfully,
The
ARL Team at Split Rock Elementary
----
As one of Dr. McInnis's daughters, I would like to
personally thank everyone for their heartfelt messages and
thoughts of him, and for the stories of the impact that his
"being here" has had on their lives. He was such a
monumental figure in all of our lives, and as a Dad, he was
the center of our family. I will miss him more than words
can ever describe, but I'm comforted in knowing that he did
leave this world a better place for so many people, adults
and children alike. His passing cut through us like a
knife, but it's important to know that as he led a
dignified life, he left this world in a truly dignified
manner. There is a hole in my heart where my Dad used to
be, but my memories will sustain me, my faith will guide
me, and my love for him and all he taught me will help me
to continue on until I meet him again one day. Thank you
all for your prayers and sweet messages through this truly
sad time.
Sincerely,
Lisa
(McInnis) Hegarty
----
I first met Dr. McInnis about ten years ago when I was
newly hired as a reading specialist. Over the years, he
inspired and motivated me with his focused philosophy and
research-strong ARL program. Phil was a wonderful man, an
irreplaceable educator, and a mentor whose spirit and
dedication have improved the lives of many, many students
and teachers. God bless.
Susan Vaughan
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How sad for his family to suffer such a loss and for
children to lose a true advocate in determining their
readiness and ability to become successful and enthusiastic
readers. Lip service is paid again and again on how
children are are our most important asset. But "when push
comes to shove," other issues often take precedent over
what is best for children. That was never the case with
Phil McInnis. More than 35 years ago, he educated our
family on dyslexia, and thus enabled our son to ultimately
graduate from college with honors. Over and again through
committee work involvement at our school, witnessed his
compassion and expertise benefit children. He was a gem.
Mary Wilber
----
Hello! I just learned about Phil's passing and am so sad.
This man lived what he believed and was an inspiration to
so many people. Whenever he visited our school, the
children would always call him Grandpa. I know the children
that he worked with will miss him very much and the adults
who watched him work with these children will also miss him
so much. He was like a personal Guru to so many of us. The
more we knew, the more we realized we didn't know and we
were always excited to hear the next phase of learning.
Because of Phil, I know that I am a better teacher.
Tammy
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McInnis
ARL
2452
Route 364, Penn Yan, New York, 14527, US
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