A Golden Braid:* Weaving Terry Wood’s unique threads of humanity in theory and practice

While reading, in other articles, about the authors’ experiences with and perspectives on the work of Terry Wood, I have been struck by the many facets of Terry’s work as a mathematics educator (researcher, teacher, mentor, and friend) that emerge article after article. Having agreed to write some synthesis of the articles, I have chosen the metaphor of a braid, woven in different ways by different authors (co-researchers, doctoral students, colleagues, and friends). All speak of Terry’s basic humanity (my words) as they have appreciated her contributions, both personal and professional, to their lives and work. From this, I draw many threads and diverse weavings. Not least, I weave my own experiences of and with Terry in contributing to my own life and work. I borrow (from Hofstadter, 1999) the term “Golden Braid,” as I believe this special issue reflects, repeatedly, a “golden” braiding in our relationships with Terry.