LYNNE BEACHNER, Ph D, is principal of St. Francis Xavier School (SFX), in Kansas City, MO, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Educa­tion, Rockhurst University (RU). In 1998, St. Francis Xavier School and Rockhurst University entered into a formal partnership to strengthen the curricular offerings at SFX and enhance the training of preservice teachers at Rockhurst. SFX is located across the street from RU so the sharing of resources and staff has been an exciting venture. Prior to coming to St. Francis Xavier, Dr. Beachner was director and coauthor of a 3-year Federal Innovations in Education Grant implemented at Kansas Middle School of the Arts and Paseo Academy in the Kansas City, MO, School District. She also worked for the Kansas City School District as Coordinator of Instruction, was principal of Our Lady of the Presentation School, and taught students at the middle school level. She lives with her husband, Gary Neal Johnson, a professional actor, and her two sons—Drew (10) and Ben (6)—who are a continued source of joy. The family enjoys reading, playing cards, attempting brain teasers, going to the theater, and camping.

ANOLA PICKETT is an educator and author. She holds a BA in English from Webster University and an MEd in Inner City Studies from Northeast­ern Illinois University. After teaching for more than 20 years in the pre­school through college levels, she is currently the librarian at St. Francis Xavier School in Kansas City, MO. Her publication credits include Old Enough for Magic, a Harper Collins “I Can Read” book, and more than 50 stories, articles, and poems in magazines and newspapers. She lives with her husband, Peter Doyle, in Kansas City. Their son, Gerry Doyle, is a journalist.