"I enjoyed the genuine enthusiasm displayed from someone who is still actively working in the educational arena."

"They provided real world, practical applications of how freshman teams are incorporated into the school."

"I liked best the tremendous insight given on teaching and learning. They redefined my thinking on what teaching and learning should look like today."

"The presenter's enthusiasm for the topic got me excited about the 9th grade academy. He provided a variety of ways to motivate the students and promote student achievement. Excellent presenter!

"You are a great motivator. You believe in what you are talking about. The presentation had relevant material. This material can be taken back to the schools and implemented."

April 2007 - Workshop with Memphis City Schools' Smaller Learning Communities

 

"We were inspired and motivated during our time with you and your folks. It is uplifting to not only hear (and see) the commitment and passion you have for teaching, but also obtain strategies that we could use to provide more opportunities for success for our kids."

"I really enjoyed Saturday's conference. All of the information that was shared was extremely helpful. We are planning to send another group in April."

"The morning session was awesome… totally revitalizing and inspiring!"

"It helped me to reassess my job as a teacher, as the years go by it becomes a job. You can end up going through the motions but not teaching."

"I liked the passion and love for students exhibited by the presenters. The 3 of you inspired and revived me professionally."

"I feel a renewed sense of teaching. I wish I'd had this earlier in the year. Keep up the good work."

March 27, 2004 Solutions, etc. conference on Transitioning Freshmen

 
Your emotions show a sincere belief in what you are doing.

Really so inspiring - you guys are amazing! I have so many great ideas. The importance of images is so relevant to our population - I'd never thought about it that way.

This conference reached my heart and inspired me to reach students' hearts.

Wow - again! Thanks for reminding me that I can still get to Mt. Olympus this year!

I was inspired to work hard at the job I love.

This changed my perspective about my role as an administrator. I need to assist my teachers with becoming inspirational people.

They have great ideas about how to inspire students.

Today reinforced my beliefs and inspired me to keep on keeping on.

One of the best workshops I have ever been to!

Your enthusiasm is great - can y'all bottle it?

March 11-12, 2005 Solutions, etc. conference on Creating/Implementing
Smaller Learning Communities and on Motivating Reluctant Learners

 

"A definite passion for teaching has been conveyed. You talked about inspiring students and in the process inspired teachers. Thank you"

"This workshop was full of motivating, exciting ideas. I was truly inspired by the enthusiasm & got lots of ideas for teaming as well as ideas I can use individually."

"What I liked best about this workshop was the "nuts and bolts" presented. So often workshops present "ideas" but no practical way to achieve them."

"I liked the ideas presented in the workshop the last 2 days. The gentlemen presenting were passionate and it was obvious that they care about their program. They were genuine and I enjoyed listening to their ideas. They gave ways to follow up on the information presented. Not only did they say 'inspire', they said 'inspire by...'"

"There was not a moment I was not interested!"

The best aspect of this workshop was the fact that the information is very relevant and usable. The passion that the presenters have for their jobs is very evident and is radiated through their presentations. It made the workshop very worthwhile. Thank you!

Somerset County Schools, Somerset County, MD

 
The presenters were actually part of an exchange of ideas. Each of you gave real-life examples. The sincerity, love and genuiness of your program offers a refreshing approach! Thanks!

They are real! They are still involved in education on a daily basis. They are men of faith and view this as a ministry.

The thing I liked best about this workshop was how energized and excited the presenters were about what they were presenting. They inspired me!

We've been researching for about 2 years and will start our freshman academy for all 9th graders next year. This gave us the confidence we need by showing us we are actually on track.

I loved the way that it was stressed how it is important to treat each student as if he/she were your own.

It was motivating! Like church for teaching.

Thank you for reminding me why I teach! Thank you for keeping the fire burning and for rekindling the fire in others.

Veterans and novices will benefit from participating in this conference!

I loved the passion of the presenters. I also love the practical & authentic nature of what you all shared. You pulled me in with your frankness and honesty.

Spring 2006 Solutions, etc. conferences on Transitioning Freshmen to the High School

 

"Thanks - most inservices are boring - you did a great job!"

"They did a great job - I really don't know how it could be better - it was very informative"

"I liked the practical application and relevant info that was current to the initiatives and needs at my school."

"I liked that you took the time to find out something about TN tests and standards instead of using VA things."

Chattanooga Central High School - Chattanooga, TN

 

"The presenters has wonderful rapport with each other and the teachers here. The technology was great!"

"Super energized & totally involved team that is balanced in the sense that they complement and compliment each other very well!"

"Very inspirational"

"informative & applicable, current & wonderfully human"

William Fleming High School - Roanoke, VA

 

"A team from Roanoke Rapids High, NC went to your session last year and have implemented our version of a freshman transition opportunity. We only have one team and took the 35 students who did not pass the End of Grade Exam. It has been a great relief to the parents. One parent expressed that this is the first year they felt included in the educational process and that their child is getting extra help. The teachers have been getting together and discussing the students, which gives them support amongst
themselves. We spent no extra money on this, just a change in structure. We call our program 'TOPS -
transitional opportunity program for students.' We have also included a humanities/cultural history class for half of the students. We are in the process of crunching numbers and seeing if that additional exposure to humanities is helping the At-risk students enjoy learning.

Thanks for the wonderful experience your workshop gave us."

Administrative Comment, North Carolina principal

 

"I enjoyed each session at the Transitioning Freshmen Conference, and plan to discuss full teams of teachers attending the April sessions. Thanks for all you are doing to help those of us who need guidance in our search to set up Small Learning Communities in our high schools. You guys have helped us focus on some areas of need, and have given us some great pointers on how to be most successful."

"Your conference was exactly what I needed to motivate our teachers to continue our program. Your commitment to student success is sincere and inspiring. I simply wish we could bottle that and give that to all educators! We came away from the conference with more useful ideas and a heightened awareness of our purpose as educators. Thank you for all you do, and all you will continue to do."

Administrative Comments, North Carolina principals

 

"The presenters of this workshop were excellent. Their attitude, personality, speaker's voices made this workshop. The tablet (version of their agenda) was an excellent tool. The handouts that matched the slides were excellent for jotting down notes. The use of technology was awesome. I really enjoyed the slide shows of their students. The movie"Mr. Holland's Opus" touched my heart; I almost cried at
the end. The fanny rule that these guys stuck to helped me to stay on task and not fall asleep or have to leave out and miss something. The group work that we did and the % arc was awesome. I LOVED THIS WORKSHOP. There is not one single thing that I did not like! My suggestion is for these two special people to continue doing what they are doing - Spread the word."

Somerset County Schools, Somerset County, MD

 

"The information was useful and well presented. It also validated my reason for going into education so long ago."

"This was a good motivation to get through the end of the year and start planning for next year."

"I loved the heart of each presenter. I know they love what we all do - teach!"

"Your experience with students is real! I like your bantering and mutual respect. I like the A-V."

"I enjoyed how they used examples from Mr. Holland's Opus for relevance."

"The enthusiasm keeps my attention and is contagious."

Spring 2003 Solutions, etc. conferences on Transitioning
Freshmen to the High School

 

"This was better than a revival! I appreciate your positve approach and constructive suggestions. The best part is that you are all still involved in the day-to-day process of school"

"You provided a focus for how we should proceed with our 9th Grade Team Program."

"It was so energizing, enlightening and inspirational"

"I hope I can accomplish all of the wonderful things I have learned here. The workshop leaves no stone unturned in education!"

Greenbrier East High School, Lewisburg, WV

 

"It is obvious that these men care about kids. Isn’t that what teaching is all about!"

"The workshop presented specific workable ideas to motivate students."

"I've always felt my job was a ministry or calling. This workshop confirmed that to me and gave me a deeper appreciation for what I do every day! Thank you!"

"I liked the motivational and practical applications that can be taken into the classroom immediately."

"The presentation touched my heart. I know why I teach. I love my kids."

"It made me desire to do a better job of teaching."

Lawrenceburg County Schools - Lawrenceburg, TN

 

"I liked the friendly atmosphere and the information was great."

"Presenters are involved in the program and have developed the program."

"Very informative from "real teachers" who are dealing with it now"

"Reinforces philosophically the purposes behind what it is we all want for our students and how it can be
implemented."

"Reminds me why I went into teaching!"

"Innovative strategies that work across disciplines and purposes"

January 10, 2004 Solutions, etc. conference on Transitioning Freshmen to the High School

 

This really inspired me to go back and make changes at our school.

Take this conference around the WORLD. We are all teachers of children - everybody needs to know what works

I cannot think of anything that could improve this excellent workshop.

Excellent - not only inspirational but informative from the standpoint of offering the tools for success.

I appreciate the fact that you all are in the trenches. I can believe this works because you are all doing this right now yourselves.

Very inspiring - Moore, Seibert, and Habeeb are awesome!
They are truly innovators and absolute visionaries!

Overall I loves this and had a wonderfully invigorating experience - Thanks!

April 24 , 2004 Solutions, etc. conference on Transitioning Freshmen to
the High School

 

Thank you for all of your ideas at our inservice in Hurricane,WV. They made a big difference the first week of school. I used some of the classroom management strategies, including numbering the desks with scrapbooking stickers, taking pictures and putting them on a disk, "Do Now Assignments," daily quiz, etc. THANK YOU!!!!

Poca High School, Poca, WV

 

Excellent! This the best 1st day inservice I've been to in the 12 years I've been teaching. What a great way to begin the school year. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I enjoyed the knowledge shared and the passion.

I appreciated the new ideas and strategies presented. It was
inspiring!

Summer 2006 on site staff development workshops

 
For more information contact Solutions, etc. at solutioncenter@solutionsetc.org.