Testimonials by Topic, Service and Location
When asked how HOPE Professional Development Services compared with other PD experiences, particpants provided the following answers:
"This session blends very well with the [concepts and ideals] of Professional Learning Communities." Ted Craven, Assistant Superintendent
Central Office, Walker County Schools, Jasper, AL "In my 32 years of teaching, I’ve seen lots of good initiatives come and go. This is the first one that’s really made a difference for the kids." Denny Cook, Math Teacher
Alton High School, Alton, IL "We are going into negotiations with the AEA. They are asking for collaboration time and data support. This is the first time I have ever seen this." Don Lindsey, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Alton CUSD #11, Alton, IL "This PD experience was [by far] superior to all others I have experienced." Michael South, Principal
WA Threadgill Primary School, Sheffield, AL "This [information] was very relevant. It made my team really go back and examine our school environment." Penny Doerflinger, Teacher
Deshler Middle School, Tuscumbia, AL "NOTHING can compare to this [amazing] PD experience." Marie D. Matlock, Teacher
Harlan Elementary, Florence City Schools "This session compares to the best ones; it provides time for the teams to focus on school improvement and bond for a common purpose." Veronica Casados, Principal
Griffith Elementary School, Wichita, KS "This session was one of the best PD experiences! I learned many things that are truly applicable [to my school]!" Whitney Webb, Teacher
Haleyville High School, Haleyville, AL "This session was very informative and made me aware of some of the strengths and weaknesses at my school that I had never considered before." Steve Carter, Teacher
Wilson High School, Florence, AL "This PD session was much more productive and more beneficial than other PD experiences. With lots of time with our teams, we were able to accomplish a great deal." Michael Kohake, Math Chair
Heights Elementary School, Oakland, NJ Top Intensive School Reform
"Connection, communication, collaboration. We’ve grown as a community, as a school, and as a district. We work together and it makes us feel good. We are heading in the same direction with curriculum mapping and grade level meetings. The nay-sayers have come around and are participating. Major changes are coming at the district with major budget cuts and school consolidations. Getting through this will be much easier now that we have Professional Learning Communities of HOPE in place." Brenda Vernatti, Principal
Eunice Smith Elementary School, Alton, Illinois "The leadership and collaboration skills have already begun to change our culture dramatically. We have gone from being a number of individuals to acting as a team or even a family. We have developed an atmosphere of professional trust, and shifted our focus to achievement for ALL students." Shari Harrison, Proficiency Coordinator
Edison Middle School, Milwaukee, WI "HOPE gave us the tools and we took off with it. We’ll be able to sustain this even after the grant runs out."
Mary Pat Venardos, Principal
Mark Twain Elementary School, Alton, Illinois
"I’ve seen things come and go, but it looks like this is the one that will really work. And the HOPE staff is wonderful to work with!"
Brenda Reed, Counselor
Edison Middle School, Milwaukee, WI
"This opened my eyes to the power of collaboration and gave us a structure to create an environment that includes administrators, teachers and community. Our work with HOPE has provided the entire staff a clear sense of direction. At the same time, it is a flexible approach adapted to our school’s particular situation.”
John Hill, Learning Coordinator
Edison Middle School, Milwaukee, WI
"HOPE has established a good partnership with Edison. They did a fabulous retreat that led to consensus and commitment by the entire staff to move forward on PLC. They provide regular consultation with the school and demonstrate tremendous commitment. Teacher teams have also begun meeting and addressing core questions critical for real change. The HOPE Foundation has a collaborative approach that helps me integrate the action research from the university with the entire change process. This will help us focus on the bottom line: helping all children succeed." Dan Folkman, Associate Professor and Chair of Center for Urban Community Development
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Top Washington, DC Principals Training Workshop
“This training will provide great opportunities for growth at my school.”
Carol Barbour, Principal
Rudolph Elementary School, Washington, DC “It provided very refreshing information to sustain the spirit and practice of courageous principles in the DC Public Schools.” Shirley Hopkinson, Principal
Barnard Elementary School, Washington, DC “I really appreciated the time given to us to learn from our colleagues; it was very helpful.” LeRoy Owens, Principal
Birney Elementary School, Washington, DC Top Newport News Courageous Leadership Academy
“HOPE has been a valuable resource in allowing schools to get together and learn from each other. Also, it was a good catalyst for getting us to not just talk about, but implement our best practices.”
Glenda Powell, Principal
Carver Elementary School, Newport News, VA “I enjoyed the focus this year; our reading scores are improving using the strategies school-wide.” Chris Pilger, SOL Instructor “I will go into my building with an improved focus. I will go to motivate, support, encourage, assist, ask and seek.” Karen Johnson, Reading Recover/Title I Top
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