Formal Open Invitation for an Interview and Attendance to Diane Ravitch’s Seattle Book Tour Event
Dear Bill and Melinda,
I am writing Re: A formal invitation to listen to Diane Ravitch speak about her new book and to invite you to join me for an interview about Diane’s new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. This is an exciting dual opportunity as you will be joining me in an interview right after attending her Seattle Reign of Error Book Tour Event [details below].
“Join Diane Ravitch for a discussion about her new book, Reign of Error on select dates throughout the United States.Reign of Error is shaping up to be the biggest education release of the year. It looks to change the dialogue about education reform in the same way that Diane’s 2010 publication, The Death and Life of the Great American School System brought new attention to the plight of our public schools.Please check back often as dates and details are subject to change.The Network for Public Education is pleased to offer our friends an opportunity to pre-order a copy of Diane Ravitch’s new book Reign of Error signed by the author for a contribution of $100 to NPE. For a $200 contribution, Diane will inscribe her latest release with a personal message. Click here for more details.“
Have you had a chance to read her book yet? Just in case you have not, I am sure two quick studies about education like yourself and Melinda will be able to glean enough information to answer my questions by simply attending and listening to her carefully at this event. I would also recommend getting your own copy as soon as possible, but I do realize this is very short notice. It will soon become one of the most important books ever written about public education as more and more readers find out the truth about corporate reform.
Even though you may be fearful of the truth in Diane’s book — and rightfully so — I would be grateful if you could attend my interview, as Katie and I have some serious questions for you about the role you play in public education. The date, time, and location of the interview and book tour information can be found below. Please join me:
At the University of Washington, Kane Hall.
On Thursday, September 26th, 2013.
Diane Ravitch speaks at 7:00 pm, your interview to follow – subsequent to any audience Q & A.
The interview will be with me, Susan DuFresne, Integrated Kindergarten Teacher and Co-Author of Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates. Upon arrival at Kane Hall please ask for me. I would be happy to meet you and escort you to a seat in the hall. It will likely be well attended and crowded, but I’ll make sure we find a seat for you and Melinda.
The interview is scheduled to last approximately 30 minutes and will take the form of a private video-taped question-and-answer session. I will share this interview with the public here on Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates shortly after our interview.
Please contact Susan DuFresne at the phone number provided on the letter I am sending to you and Melinda at the Gates Foundation. You may also contact me here in response to confirm your attendance at the interview should my invitation somehow get lost in the large amount of mail you must receive. If you have a disability and require any special arrangements to assist you at the interview, please let me know.
A map showing the location of the interview venue is included in this link and in my invitation that I am mailing.
After all, public education is one of few areas where you have determined you will make a difference when you “take on the really tough problems.” Thank you for your interest in public education. Let’s talk about those really tough problems and the “difference” you are making with your reforms in our interview.
Please consider joining me for this important interview and attendance as a guest to Diane Ravitch’s new book tour here in Seattle this upcoming week. I look forward to hearing back from you and the opportunity for this interview.
Yours sincerely,
Susan DuFresne, Integrated Kindergarten Teacher and Co-Author of Teachers’ Letters to Bill Gates
P.S. I am terribly sorry, but Katie Lapham has come down with a terrible cold and will not be able to attend the event in Seattle. She sends her apologies and looks forward to chatting with you soon. We can get together with you for that lunch we’ve been talking about another day. FYI: I would have extended this invitation much sooner, but I recently relocated to a new school where I am administering your WaKIDS Teaching Strategies Gold Assessment Tool program. [We'll talk more about that later. Let's just say, that is the one part of my move that I am not happy about.] Moving has taken on a life of its own, as I have been working through every week day, every weekend – to get my classroom, my lessons, and collaborate with our new team as we get ready for our priority – the children we teach each day.