Richard Steinberg, City College of New York

It is with enthusiasm that I begin my term as editor of this Newsletter. This has allowed me to have stimulating interactions with a diversity of colleagues and to reflect on how I can contribute to the community. I thank many people who have made my transition relatively painless, particularly outgoing editor Beth Lindsey, Past Chair of the Forum on Education Randy Knight, and Teacher Preparation section editor Alma Robinson.

I was fortunate to begin my career in Physics Education working for Lillian McDermott at the University of Washington. It was there that I met Arnold Arons, a scholar and physics education pioneer for whom I have great admiration. Since 2016 happens to be the 100 th anniversary of Arons’ birth, I decided to make my first Newsletter a tribute to him. I instantly thought of three individuals I am confident he would have been happy to see contribute. I am delighted that all three agreed to share their thoughts and perspectives. Gerald Holton was a colleague of Arons and reflects on his memory of him. Lillian McDermott writes on her joining Arons at the University of Washington and the growth of Physics Education there. Tiffani Kolozian is an undergraduate physics major preparing to go into teaching high school physics upon graduation and already a fan of the work of Arons. Tiffani is also a descendant of Arons in a way as she is a student of mine, as I was of Lillian, and Lillian was of Arnold. I hope that Arons would be proud to see this piece of his legacy.

Disclaimer – The articles and opinion pieces found in this issue of the APS Forum on Education Newsletter are not peer refereed and represent solely the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the APS.