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Summer 2011:
“After being trained in the S.M.A.R.T. program, I totally changed how I look at children who come into my classroom and consider what they maybe missed out on before they came into my classroom. I teach differently because of [S.M.A.R.T.]…I had an experience with a little girl who had a vision problem. By using the tactile trackers and the creep track, she was able to get rid of her glasses by the end of the school year. Her mom was amazed at the progress she had made… Rhyming, alliteration, letter sounds, math concepts, and print awareness [have] increased at amazingly fast speeds… I think S.M.A.R.T. is amazing and has done wonders over the past five years that I’ve done it, and my goal this year is to implement it more…I know for sure that S.M.A.R.T. is worth every second I put into it.”
-Monica Torgerson, Head Teacher, Anoka/Washington County Head Start
“We feel that the children are stronger because of the S.M.A.R.T. program. They seem to be more interested in learning because it is more fun.”
-Donna Hayes, Lead Teacher, Anoka/Washington County Head Start
“The teachers who implemented the S.M.A.R.T. program the first year were so pleased to be part of the program. They really felt like some of the challenging behaviors we have had in our classrooms were much more controlled.”
-Cassie Anderson, Teacher, Anoka/Washington County Head Start
August 2011:
“[The presenters] gave ideas of where to start with it all, how to do all of the activities, how to be flexible with it and how to make it fun and exciting.”
“…too good not to try.”
“I think it’s a great way to see that we aren’t just playing, we are training.”
“I would like to see all parents at a workshop like this.”
“It is amazing to see the connection between movement and the brain.”
It’s great that in this time of children not playing freely outside and doing these activities spontaneously on their own, someone is teaching them to do them.
Summer 2007
“I am a ‘seasoned’ teacher of 31 years and this is the first program I’m really excited to add to my teaching repertoire. I feel I’m going to be a better educator with what I’ve learned this week!” – MN kindergarten teacher
“Although big changes will be evident in my classroom due to this workshop, the biggest change of all can’t be seen. . . and that is the awareness I now have about how the S.M.A.R.T. activities that appear to be ‘playing,’ are fundamental, developmental activities designed with the brain in mind.” – MN kindergarten teacher
“I am completely blown away by the amazing knowledge I gained through this workshop. . . . I have only been teaching for two years and I feel very fortunate to learn this so early on in my career. . . . It is a wonderful feeling to learn that it’s never too late and that we can help these kids become successful. . . . I already have so many of the needed supplies in my classroom; all I need to do is look at them from a different perspective. . . I love that you can incorporate SMART activities in your classroom throughout the day, fitting it in around your demanding schedule. I can’t wait to get started!” – MN kindergarten teacher
Thanks for your help! Hope you had a good time at the tournament.
"We love it....I love SMART and my K's love SMART! I was so enthusiastic when I returned home from the summer SMART workshop that I decided to set up my own obstacle course in my basement using the supplies made during the workshop. All three of my kids used it. I recently met with my second grade son's team of 10 specialists to review his IEP and they all remarked on the progress he has made since last spring. I give credit to SMART. I really believe that it has made all of the difference!"
~Carol Lindroos, Jeffer's Pond Elementary, Prior Lake, MN Winter 2006
You guys did an amazing job! You spoke my language - I could relate to your experiences and sense your passion about the SMART program.
~Participant from Minneapolis workshop, June 2006
I feel like this has been the best school/district inservice that I have attended - quite a hard thing to pull off when folks are gunning to get into their rooms (at the beginning of the school year). By far, it was the most positive atmosphere/response of participants that I have seen in the 5 years of meetings, trainings, etc that I have been in this building.
~Participant from Alaska workshop, August 2006
I will recommend this to coworkers and other outside educational professionals.
~Participant from Minneapolis workshop, July 2006
I have been teaching for 38 years and yet you taught me so much. I have always felt that we expect all of our students to fit our expectations. This program will help me help all the kids!! Thank you!!
~Participant from South Dakota workshop, July 2006
As educators, we have been asked to implement many programs. The SMART program is the first that I have seen that could be beneficial to all students and does not target a specific group.
~Participant from Tennessee workshop, July 2006
Childrens Testimonials
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