| Larry R. Johannessen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Denver, CO |
| Died | Chicago, IL, USA |
| Residence | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | English Education |
| Institutions | Northern Illinois University |
| Alma mater | California State University, Hayward; The University of Chicago |
| Doctoral advisor | George Hillocks, Jr. |
| Known for | Instruction, Literature of the Vietnam War, Supporting Beginning English Teachers |
Larry R. Johannessen (1947–2009) was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. When he went to register for classes in high school, his counselor scheduled him into the vocational curriculum based on his address in the working class section of his community. Dissatisfied with the assumptions behind this decision, Johannessen elected to leave high school before graduating and enlisted in the U.S. Marines Corps, joining the same unit in which his father had served: B (Bravo) Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division. This unit was later featured in the HBO series Generation Kill, which focused on the Battalion’s experiences in Iraq. Johannessen served two tours of duty in Vietnam, a country he had never heard of before enlisting. As a Marine, he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation with one star, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Rifle Marksman Badge (1964–68). He left the service with an honorable discharge in 1968 at the rank of Sergeant.
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Upon leaving the Marines, Johannessen earned his G.E.D. and entered Ohlone College, a 2-year college in Fremont, California, from which he graduated with an A.A. with honors in 1973. He transferred to California State University, Hayward (now East Bay), receiving his B.A. in 1975, graduating magna cum laude. From there Johannessen earned his M.A.T. in 1976 in English Education from the University of Chicago, the program run by George Hillocks, Jr. At the University of Chicago, he met Elizabeth (Betsy) Kahn, whom he married. They had been married for 27 years at the time of Johannessen's death. Johannessen began working on his doctoral studies in 1983 at the University of Chicago, again under the mentorship of Hillocks. He completed his degree in 1997.
Johannessen taught high school English at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, Illinois, from 1976 to 1989. While a doctoral student he began teaching at universities, including St. Xavier University in Chicago, Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, and Barat College in Lake Forest, IL. In 2001 he became an assistant professor of English at Northern Illinois University. During his career at NIU, he served as Director of Undergraduate Studies and was promoted to the rank of full professor in 2007.
Johannessen was a prolific author and presenter. His writing was published in a variety of journals, including English Journal, The Clearing House, Research in the Teaching of English, The Social Studies, and other journals. He was also the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books published by Heinemann, NCTE, and Merrill, plus two textbooks on vocabulary study for Kendall/Hunt. His work fell into three general areas: teaching the literature of the Vietnam War, designing instruction using a structured process approach, and the experiences of beginning English teachers. Many of these publications were coauthored with his wife, Elizabeth Kahn, and his close friend Tom McCann.
[1] Smagorinsky, P., Johannessen, L. R., Kahn, E. A., & McCann, T. M. (2010). The Dynamics of Writing Instruction: A Structured Process Approach for the Composition Teacher in the Middle and High School. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
[2] Kahn, E.A., Walter, C.C., & Johannessen, L.R. (2009). Writing about Literature, 2nd Edition. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
[3] McCann, T.M., Johannessen, L.R., Kahn, E.A., & Flanagan, J. (2006). Talking in Class: Using Discussion to Enhance Teaching and Learning. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
[4] McCann, T.M., Johannessen, L.R., & Ricca, B. (2005). Supporting Beginning English Teachers: Research and Implications for Teacher Induction. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
[5] McCann, T.M., Johannessen, L.R., Kahn, E.A., Smagorinsky, P., & Smith, M.W. (Eds.)(2005). Reflective Teaching, Reflective Learning: How to Develop Engaged Readers, Writers, and Speakers. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
[6] Johannessen, L. R., & McCann, T.M. (2002). In Case You Teach English: An Interactive Casebook for Prospective and Practicing English Teachers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Education/Prentice Hall.
[7] Johannessen, L. R. (1992). Illumination Rounds: Teaching the Literature of the Vietnam War. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
Johannessen, L. R., & Scruggs, A. (1986). Steps to a Better Vocabulary: Developmental, 3rd Edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
Johannessen, L. R., & Scruggs, A. (1986). Steps to a Better Vocabulary: Advanced, 3rd Edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co.
[8] Kahn, E., Walter, C. C., & Johannessen, L., (1984). Writing about Literature. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
[9] Johannessen, L., Kahn, E., & Walter, C. C. (1982). Designing and Sequencing Prewriting Activities. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
“Mentoring Matter: Defying Conventional Wisdom,” by Thomas M. McCann & Larry R. Johannessen. English Journal, 98.1 (August 2008), in press.
“Chapter 5: Adolescents Who Struggle with Literacy.” By Larry R. Johannessen & Thomas M. McCann. In Handbook of Adolescent Literacy Research, Eds. Christenbury, L., Bomer, R., & Smagorinsky, P., New York: Guilford Press, in press.
“A Structured Process Approach to Teaching Narrative Writing.” By Larry R. Johannessen. Illinois English Bulletin, in press.
“Professional Development and Leadership: The Role and Responsibility of the Experienced Teacher.” By T. M. Mccann & Larry R. Johannessen. English Journal, 95.2 (November 2005): 52-57.
“Engaging Students in Authentic Discussions of Literature.” By Larry R. Johannessen & Elizabeth A.Kahn, 99-116. In Reflective Teaching, Reflective Learning: How to Develop Engaged Readers, Writers, and Speakers, Eds. McCann,T., Johannessen, L.R., Kahn, E., Smagorinsky, P., & Smith, M.W. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2005.
“Introduction.” By Thomas M. McCann, Larry R. Johannessen & Elizabeth Kahn, Peter Smagorinsky, and Michael W. Smith, xxiii-xxv. In Reflective Teaching, Reflective Learning: How to Develop Engaged Readers, Writers, and Speakers, Eds. McCann,T., Johannessen, L.R., Kahn, E., Smagorinsky, P., & Smith, M.W., Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 2005.
“Responding to New Teachers’ Concerns.” By T. M. McCann, L.R. Johannessen, & B. Ricca. Educational Leadership, 62.8 (May 2005): 30-35.
“Helping ‘Struggling’ Students Achieve Success.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 47.8, (May 2004): 638-647.
“Why Do Novice Teachers Cry?” By T. M. McCann & L.R. Johannessen. The Clearing House, 77.4 (March/April 2004): 138-145.
"Chapter 1: Young-Adult Literature and the Vietnam War." In A Curriculum for Peace, Ed. V. Monseau, Urbana: NCTE, 2004. 3-12. Originally published in English Journal, 82.5 (Sept. 1993): 43-49.
“Why Do Teachers Leave, and What Can We Do to Keep Them?” By T. M. McCann, L R. Johannessen, & B. Ricca. HotTopic, 40 (Spring 2004): 1-4 (Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). Rpt. on www.illinoisascd.org, Hot topics #40.
“Achieving Success for the ‘Resistant’ Student.” The Clearing House, 77.1 (September/October 2003): 6-13.
“Strategies for Initiating Authentic Discussion.” English Journal, 93.1 (September 2003): 73-79.
“Making History Come Alive with the Nonfiction Literature of the Vietnam War.” The Clearing House, 76.3 (January/February 2003): 120-126. Rpt. in The Social Studies, 94.4 (July/August 2003): 171-178.
“Hope for New Teachers: Situations and Solutions.” With E. Kahn & T. McCann. Illinois English Bulletin, 89.2 (Spring 2002): 7-22.
“Teaching Writing in the Information Age.” The Wisconsin English Journal, 44.1 (Spring 2002): 29-43.
“When History Talks Back: Teaching Nonfiction Literature of the Vietnam War.” English Journal, 91.4 (March 2002): 39-47. Rpt. on www.welcomehomesoldier.com from 4/02 through 9/04.
“Promoting Complex Interactions with Literature.” Virginia English Bulletin, 51.2 (Fall 2001): 29-37.
“Teaching Thinking and Writing for a New Century.” English Journal, 90.6 (July 2001): 38-46.
“Enhancing Response to Literature through Character Analysis.” The Clearing House, 74.3 (January/February 2001): 145-150.
“Teaching Thinking and Writing in the New Millennium.” Virginia English Bulletin, 50.2 (Fall 2000): 90-98.
“Using a Simulation and Literature to Teach the Vietnam War.” The Social Studies, 91.2 (March/April 2000): 79-83.
“Revenge May Not Be So Sweet: Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Cask of Amontillado.’” Classroom Notes Plus, 17.3 (January 2000): 11-14.
“Taking Risks with ‘At Risk’ Students.” Illinois English Bulletin, 86.3 (Spring 1999): 50-55.
“First Steps in Helping Novice English Teachers Think in New Ways about Teaching.” Illinois English Bulletin, 86.2 (Winter 1999): 37-50.
“The Clash of Cultures: Juanita Platero and Siyowin Miller’s ‘Chee’s Daughter.’” NOTES Plus, 16.3 (January 1999): 9-13.
"Vietnam War Literature and the Arts." In Reflective Activities: Helping Students Connect with Texts: Classroom Practices in Teaching English, Vol. 30, eds. L. Reid and J. Golub. Urbana: NCTE, 1999. 125-131.
"Enhancing Response to Romeo and Juliet.” In Teaching Shakespeare into the 21st Century, eds. James E. Davis and Ronald E. Salomone. Athens, Ohio: Ohio University Press, 1997. 154-165.
"Fostering Response to Vietnam War Literature through the Arts." English Journal, 86.5 (September 1997): 57-62.
“Teaching English Language Arts for a Technological Age.” With E. Kahn. The Clearing House, 70.6 (July/August 1997): 305-310.
“Winning Hearts and Minds with Vietnam War Literature.” North Carolina English Teacher, 54.2 (Spring 1997): 10-18.
“Transforming Hearts and Minds with the Literature of the Vietnam War.” Illinois English Bulletin, 84.2 (Winter 1997): 3-26.
"Conflict with Authority: James Hanley's 'The Butterfly.'" NOTES Plus, 13.3 (January 1996): 10-14.
“Values Profile” Adpt. and rpt. in Bonnie O. Ericson, “Exploring Censorship, Exploring the Future: Farhenheit 451 and Young Adult Literature,” 1-18, ed. by Joan F. Kaywell, Adolescent Literature as a Complement to the Classics, Vol. 3. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon, 1997.
"The End of Innocence: Ernest Hemingway's 'The Killers.'" NOTES Plus, 13.1 (October 1995): 10-15.
"From Combat to Legacies: Novels of the Vietnam War." The Clearing House, 68.6 (July/August 1995): 374-378.
"Enhancing Response to Literature: A Matter of Changing Old Habits." English Journal, 83.7 (Nov. 1994): 66-70. Rpt. as "Quizzes and Teaching Literature,” in Education Digest, 60.6 (February 1995): 67-69. Rpt. as "Changing Old Habits," in Connections (Center for Educational Practice, SXU), 6.2 (Dec. 1994): 6-7.
"The Call of Adventure: Jack London's 'To Build a Fire.'" NOTES Plus, 12.1 (Oct. 1994): 11-15. Rpt. in Teaching Literature in Middle School: Fiction (Standards Consensus Series). Urbana: NCTE, 1996. 43-50.
"From Loyalty to Love: A Path to the Heart of Romeo and Juliet." Arizona English Bulletin, 36.3 (Spring 1994): 23-31.
"Love: Straight into the Heart of Romeo and Juliet." With Nancy Scannell. Illinois English Bulletin, 81.2 (Winter 1994): 41-53.
"Young-Adult Literature and the Vietnam War." English Journal, 82.5 (Sept. 1993): 43-49. Rpt. in A Curriculum for Peace, ed. by Virginia Monseau, Urbana: NCTE, 2004. Rpt. in Teaching Young Adult Literature (Custom Course Packet). Urbana: NCTE, 1995–96, 1994-95.
"Taking the Flat Out of Teaching." In Ideas for the Working Classroom: Classroom Practices in Teaching English, Vol. 27, ed. K. Gill. Urbana: NCTE, 1993. 140-145.
"Digging into Julius Caesar through Character Analysis." In Teaching Shakespeare Today: Practical Approaches and Productive Strategies, eds. James E. Davis and Ronald E. Salomone. Urbana: NCTE, 1993. 207-217.
"Teaching the 'Unteachable' Students." Illinois English Bulletin, 79.2 (Winter 1992): 39-47.
"You Can't Go Home Again: Shirley Jackson’s ‘Louisa, Please Come Home.’" NOTES Plus, 10.1 (October 1992): 12-15.
"A Very Hot Day: Using an Opinionnaire to Promote Discussion in a Literature Class." The Clearing House, 66.1 (Sept./Oct. 1992): 47-50.
"Encouraging Genuine Discourse Through Discussing Literature." North Carolina English Teacher, 51.1 (Fall 1992): 14-19.
"A Day in the African Veldt: Teaching Irony in Literature." Illinois English Bulletin, 78.2 (Winter 1991): 56-62.
"Confronting the Limits of Technology." NOTES Plus, 9.1 (October 1991): 11-14. Rpt. in Teaching Literature in High School: The Novel (Standards Consensus Series). Urbana: NCTE, 1995. 83-88.
"For Teachers of the Alienated: Three Offenses to End Despair." English Journal, 80.5 (September 1991): 72-77.
"An Interactive Literature-Writing Class." In What Is English? by P. Elbow. New York: MLA/NCTE, 1990. 28-30.
"Teaching Writing: Motivating Inquiry." In What Is English? By P. Elbow. New York: MLA/NCTE, 1990. 119-122.
"Teaching the Vietnam War: Two Short Stories." NOTES Plus, 8.1 (September 1990): 12-15.
"Teaching Writing: Motivating Inquiry." English Journal, 78.2 (February 1989): 64-66.
"Teaching Students to Think and Write About Literature." Illinois English Bulletin, 76.2 (Winter 1989): 67-70.
"The Writer's Repertoire--Audience." With G. Hillocks. In Research on Written Composition: New Directions for Teaching by G. Hillocks. Urbana: ERIC/RCS/NCTE, 1986, 84-91.
"The Nature of Love: Two Short Stories." NOTES Plus, 2.1 (September 1984): 14-15. Rpt. in R. Cline, ed. The Best of NOTES Plus. Urbana: NCTE, 1989. 40-43.
"Making Small Groups Work: Controversy Is the Key." With E. Kahn and C. Walter. English Journal, 73.2 (February 1984): 63-65.
"The Art of Introducing Literature." With E. Kahn and C. Walter. The Clearing House, 57.6 (February 1984): 263-66.
"Teaching Defining Strategies as a Mode of Inquiry: Some Effects on Student Writing." With G. Hillocks and E. Kahn. Research in the Teaching of English, 17.3 (October 1983): 275-84. Rpt. and presented as a model for research in J. M. Lauer & J. W. Asher. Composition Research: Empirical Designs. New York: Oxford U. Press: 1988. 152-178.
"Student Writing: If You Can Teach It, You Can Test It." With E. Kahn and C. Walter. Curriculum Review, 22.3 (August 1983): 11-16.
Johannessen's academic career produced a number of awards. From NCTE he won the 2006 Richard A. Meade award and the Edwin M. Hopkins Award. His was the recipient of the 2003 Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Winn Research Award. Northern Illinois University named him the 2007 NIU Ally Award, presented to individuals who have done something positive for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community at NIU, and presented him with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 2005-06 Long-Term Merit/Critical Retention Award. He has been listed in a number of biographical volumes, including Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Who's Who in American Education, Men of Achievement, and the Dictionary of International Biography. In 1973 he was named the Outstanding Ohlone College English Student Award, and in 1990 was honored with an Ohlone College Outstanding Alumnus award. The Illinois Institute of Technology honored him with a Distinguished High School Teachers of the Chicago Area Award in 1981.
Johannessen died on April 21, 2009, at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, of complications related to a blood disorder, myelodysplastic syndrome.