Thank you to the ten teachers that launched this project ten years ago. Thank you for who you are and what you do (then and now). Thank you for sharing your expansive unmeasurable practices with me.
Thank you to the brilliant feminist scholars who nurtured the first life of this book as a doctoral dissertation: Ofelía Garcia, Claudia Mitchell, María Elena Torre, and especially Wendy Luttrell. Wendy not only walked me, arm-in-arm through all the new and confusing realms of academic life, not only believed in my work with her whole heart, but invited me into relationship, insisted on space for connection, sharing meals and feelings. Insisted on not making it separate. We became family.
To the world-making friend-colleagues who offered feedback on the book at various stages. Jeremy Benson, Gene Fellner, Asilia Franklin-Phipps, Adrienne Goss, Jessica Hamlin, Maya Pindyck, and Tran Templeton: I am so grateful for your hearts and eyes, time, love, questions, and friendships.
To my Youth Development team at Rhode Island College: Lesley Bogad, Rachael Clemons, Corinne McKamey, and the YDEV MA students. Thank you for co-creating a space of radical care where we can all be and bring our fullest selves.
Thank you to my friends for inspiration and LOL s and being in it together: Mikela Bjork, Caitlin Bowler, Reg Clarkinia, Ivana Espinet, Claire Fontaine, Kay Gordon, Sarah Hesson, Sue Kim, Sophia León de la Barra, Pauline Halper, Lavita McMath-Turner, Rascal Montgomery, Iris Moon, Vivianne Njoku, Jovanina Pagano, Daralee Vazquez, Seth Wessler, and Carlin Wing.
Thank you to my mentors past and present: Vashti DuBois, Gustavo Esteva, Brooke Hofsess, Wendy Luttrell, Dana Mortenson, and Ken Rush. And to Brooke, especially, for standing beside me these two years, for your support and mirror and heart connection.
Thank you to my parents—Susan Restler and Peter Restler—and my brother, Lincoln Restler for your always and ongoing love and conviction.
Thank you to my partner Byron Alex and my children Sol, Sylvie (and Slinky). You are miracles.
And finally, to me: