Terence Terry or TC (Terry or "TC") Ronald Cannings

Terence (Terry) Ronald Cannings, or “TC” as his good friends called him, was born to Henry Ronald Cannings and Maisie Gwendoline Cannings on November 14, 1943 in Manly, Australia, and dedicated as a baby at Manly Salvation Army. Terry lived most of his youth on a farm in the rural town of Holgate, New South Wales, Australia. He loved his horse, Flash and his dog Blackie. His mum was fond of “my boy” and, to this day is the only person who can call him “boy.” His “much younger sister” as he called her, remembers when he cut off her “plaits” and hid them under the bed so as not to be found out and while sleep-walking, sent the gold fish bowl smashing everywhere.

Terry’s life was shaped by his parents who were Salvation Army Officers and he grew up playing in the Salvation Army Band. He learned to play the cornet and by age 8, played in full uniform in the Gosford Salvation Army Band where his dad was bandmaster. Later in life, he would often reminisce about playing by the Army’s red kettles during Christmas time and marching with the band in the Rose Bowl Parade. He talked lovingly of doing chores with his father who became ill in 1963. This prompted a move to Sydney where his dad passed away when Terry was 26. He held fond memories of his teacher, Mr. McKenzie at Gosford’s one-teacher school. Mr. “Mack” realized Terry’s potential and he skipped third grade. His education was powerfully influenced by his desire to learn what was beyond the one-room school house, beyond Gosford and beyond Australia. To that end, he received his “Leaving Certificate” from Gosford High School at the young age of 16 and talked about his long train rides each Sunday into Sydney to attend Balmain Teacher’s College where he graduated in 1961.

As an 18 year old, Terry began teaching elementary school at Epping West Public School, later became a Grade Supervisor, and by 1970, earned his B.A. from the University of New England, NSW, Australia. Terry attended the North Sydney Salvation Army at Crows Nest where he played in the band as was part of the Songster Brigade (choir). Terry married Sheryl Bailey in 1969 and had two children, Paul and Susan, for whom he had a special place in his heart. He felt they supported and enriched his existence as he determined to succeed in the academic world. And, succeed he did!

While attending the University of Sydney to earn his Masters in Education (M.Ed. 1974), Terry was hired as a senior research officer with the Schools Building Research for the New South Wales Department of Education. Terry, always seeking ways to realize his dream of traveling, was granted, in 1974, one of three coveted Churchill Fellowships. He spoke often of his work with John Goodlad, Dean of UCLA’s School of Education and his study tour of schools in Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain to observe trends in open-space and flexible building design. His publication, “Jack and Jill Out of the Box,” resulted from his study tour and he learned that “the object of teaching is not so much to convey knowledge as it is to excite determination in the child to acquire it for himself and to teach him how to go about acquiring it.” He steadfastly held to this philosophy throughout his career.

Terry was enamored with UCLA and in 1977 was the sole recipient of a Study Leave Scholarship for long-term study abroad. Terry had fond memories of UCLA, the student housing and his academic “mates.” He received his Ed. D. from UCLA in 1980 and his dissertation “A Longitudinal Study of Educational Change” resulted from work on a project funded by the Chancellor’s Research Scholarship. The California State Department of Education subsequently adopted much of his research. A scholar with an exceptional mind, Terry was awarded the UCLA Bronze Medallion and was named outstanding student of the year. Terry returned to Australia only to find that he was, in his own words, an “outcast” in the educational field. He was deeply hurt that his former colleagues viewed him as a “Yank” and rejected his ideas because they were “foreign.” He persisted in finding a job and became a lecturer at Alexander Mackie College in 1981.

Later that year, Dean Oly Tegner from Pepperdine University learned of Terry though John Goodlad and called to set up an interview for a job at Pepperdine. Oly was extremely influential in Terry’s life as a member of the Salvation Army and he remembered him lovingly as a “second father.” Terry was hired as an Associate Professor of Education at Pepperdine in 1981 and became full professor in 1986.

Terry, a gifted researcher, published numerous papers, presented at conferences, and “networked” with and mentored his fellow colleagues. With Steven Brown, he published his first book, The Information Age Classroom in 1986. He was so proud of his accomplishment that he framed the flap from the first box of books. Later, he collaborated with LeRoy Finkel in 1993 to publish The Technology Age Classroom.

At home, Terry spent many hours doing the things most dads do: attending soccer games (even refereeing a season or two!), playing with the dog that, coincidentally, was also named Blackie, and incessantly, often unsuccessfully, trying to get Paul and Susan to help with the yard work. For most of their high school years, he spent Friday nights at football games, and Saturday nights at marching band competitions, cheering them on as he enjoyed listening to all the music. Terry was fond of reminiscing about the Cannings’ family pool at their home in Diamond Bar, and the great times they spent in the backyard. Many a ‘barbie’ was held in that yard, with friends and family sharing fun times. He continued to play in the Salvation Army band and was instrumental in bringing the Salvation Army TAB to Pasadena from downtown Los Angeles.

By 1993, he was ready for a new professional challenge and agonized over whether to apply for the associate dean position at Pepperdine as it meant giving up some of his teaching, his first love. In the end, he applied as he believed he could make better and faster changes. He became Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Education (GSEP) in September 1993. And did he make changes! Over his 9 years as associate dean he reviewed and revised all GSEP programs and began a national and international on-line masters and doctoral program. His networking and speaking engagements took him to England, China, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Australia, South America and around the U.S. These travels enabled him to establish an international component to the Educational Technology Doctoral Program with colleagues in London. He was awarded a Gold Disk by Computer Using Educators (CUE) in 1994 for his work in promoting technology and was invited to join the International Committee for Secondary Education and Technology which sets global policy guidelines for technology use in secondary schools. Terry sat on the Compaq K-12 National Advisory Council, the Los Angeles County Principals and Superintendents Collaborative Committee, the Apple Computer Dean’s Institute Advisory Committee, and others too numerous to mention. His greatest memory is of being asked to testify about Pepperdine’s online programs before the John Glenn Commission in Washington D.C. When he returned with a picture of himself with John Glenn, he was beaming, said it went well, and was “happy that he bought a new suit!” He had a great sense of humor!

He was remarried in 1994 to Judy and was soon calling Kimberly his daughter. He would say “now I have 3 children.” He knew that Kimberly wanted a dog just like the golden retriever she had while growing up. Terry, however, had other ideas. He brought Daisy, the cocker spaniel, home one day. He and Kimberly would take long walks in the park with Daisy while Judy cooked dinner. When Kimberly went off to college, Daisy became his dog! Continuing his love for a Barbie he would often have the whole family over. He also joined the Sanctuary Choir at Lake Avenue Congregational Church and became a member of the Salvation Army Camp Mount Crags Advisory Council.

In 2002, Terry looked to broaden his horizons. Azusa Pacific University was searching for a dean. He applied and was appointed Dean of Education and Behavioral Studies in 2002. He began to make the same changes at Azusa but found the commute from Thousand Oaks to Azusa to be too exhausting. He learned that California Lutheran University (CLU) in Thousand Oaks was searching for a new Dean and was appointed Dean of the School of Education in 2005. He began to establish an international component to the doctoral program at CLU and took doctoral students (superintendents and principals) on leadership field studies to schools and colleges in England and Australia (where he also made time to catch up with family – especially grandkids who happened to be living overseas). This lead to field study visits from British educational leaders to schools in Ventura County. Terry retired from CLU in May, 2008, celebrating 46 years as an educator.

Terry’s capacity to motivate people to strive for worthwhile goals was very apparent. His sense of humor and constant support and encouragement of those around him was his trademark. He believed that his greatest accomplishments were in creating a culture of empowerment and collaboration and in becoming renowned for the quality of educational leaders. This dedication to task and the desire to bring people along with him lasted throughout his career. Of course, some found it hard to keep up with his pace and effort. He was a successful innovator and what he achieved had impact well beyond Pepperdine, Azusa Pacific, and California Lutheran Universities.

Terry and Judy retired to Truckee, CA in the Sierras in July 2008 and spent time in Hawaii on family vacations, going on numerous cruises and wintering in Palm Springs. Terry was diagnosed with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demeylinating Polyneuropathy), a disease that leads to muscle deterioration, in June 2008. He began to lose the use of his hands and legs, had trouble breathing, and eventually lost his voice. He spent a month in intensive care and died peacefully with his family around him on Friday, August 13, 2010. His favorite quote from Winston Churchill was “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Terry gave unreservedly and we shall miss a wonderful father, loving husband and best friend.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made to a scholarship fund at one of the three schools where he was dean/associate dean. Please put "in memory of Terry Cannings" in the memo line. The information is below.

Pepperdine University, GSEP

Attn: Wes Patterson

6100 Center Drive, 5th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90045

Azusa Pacific University

Office of University Advancement

PO Box 7000

Azusa, CA 91702-7000

California Lutheran University Family can make tribute gifts in memory of Terry to the Future Teacher's Scholarship Fund. There is a web site where your name will be listed. To view the site go to www.callutheran.edu/teachersfund.

Tribute gifts can be sent to:

Attn: Kristine Calara

California Lutheran University

School of Education

60 W. Olsen Road, #4100

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360