Teachers Help Kids Reach Their Goals

Marsha Phillips
Teacher, 3rd grade
New York 

"I know you’ve heard it from your staff.  “There’s not enough time in a day for a character development program like this.” 

I might have agreed with them  before I did the program.  I began the program in December and immediately felt the impact.  The true test came when my principal called me to his office the next December to ask what I’d done to get such test scores.  Confused, I just listened.  He went on to tell me my test scores were not at all reflective of the norms.  It seems they were significantly higher. 

I was embarrassed and proud.  This curriculum was the key to their success!

The program gave the children actual tools that helped them reflect and think though problems.  It plants a seed, nurtures self-growth and produces success that can actually be measured."

 

Norma Erwin
Director of After School Programs
California

"We are a small rural community.  My job is to oversee the implementation of the afterschool programming which includes 40 students at the Jr. High School level and represents a total of 90 extra school days. 

We take this time very seriously and use it not just for academic improvement but to focus on the youth development process:  building self-esteem, leadership skills and confidence, including six pillars of character.  We are passionate about this process.

We use this curriculum to help build leadership skills within our youth because it works!  Through this character development program, we can offer an exciting volunteer service program that is highly interactive and helps kids connect to their local and global community in meaningful ways.  The program inspires empathy in our kids and they grow because of it.  It is especially meaningful for kids who live in poverty because they often feel they have nothing to offer.  So for them to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others and feel great about it, well, it’s just priceless.”