Comments and Workshop Evaluations


	comments and workshop evaluations

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What Educators and Students Have to Say

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Sawyer. I am a teacher for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools. Currently, I am teaching middle school on a military base in Japan. I will be teaching 6th and 8th grade computer applications next school year and have been searching for materials. I came across your website while researching. I would very much like to use the site for instructional purposes. I am particularly interested in the materials associated with computer skills. I would also like permission to add a link to your page from my school webpage (once it is established). I am sure the materials would enhance the learning process in my classroom. I look forward to hearing from you soon." - Cheytoria, Yokosuka Middle School, Japan

"I cannot tell you how impressed I was with your Kaleidoscope and TechKnow sites. The pages on Teletreks are especially useful. Loved the TechKnow Disaster Preparedness toolkit, boy have I been there at times trying to integrate technology within the middle school classroom. Keep up the fab work, thanks a bunch!" - Victor, 7th Grade Integrated Studies, Sedro-Woolley, WA

"I currently work with middle school students and would like to be able to access some of your free articles and information to pass along to our students and parents. What first caught my attention was the information you provide for parents concerning Internet Safety and monitoring. I would like to quote from your Web site and I will of course give full credit to you and to the NC Web site." Dean of Students, West Central Valley Middle School, Iowa

"Hi there, I've downloaded the learner profile from the internet; I'm education student from JCU in Australia. It is really good information!! Would you be able to put up the activity for 'to detect your habits?'" -Nikki, Queensland, Australia

"Ms. Sawyer, Your presentation was wonderful yesterday and I wanted to thank you for going so in depth with what is available through the website. I will email you again with a list of what I really use for my high school classes as soon as I get some time to sit down and figure out what exactly I have used. Thank you so much and you will be hearing from me soon." -Lindsey, High School Business Education Teacher, Burlington, NC

"Ms. Sawyer: I am an elementary technology teacher in Dallas, Texas. I am writing to request permission to use your "I Can" cards and "Tombstone printable" (found on your website) in a school-wide "I Can't" funeral. If this is
not acceptable, please let me know and I will create my own version; however, yours are just so nice! You have a great website. Did you design the Technology Theme Park? That was very cool! There are some GREAT resources throughout the site. Keep up the good work! If we get to do this as a school-wide project as I proposed to the principal, I will be happy to send pictures and small video clips. Please respond at your earliest convenience!" -Regina, Campus Technologist, Elementary Grades, Dallas, TX

"Hi, I did a Google search for lessons on Excel to use with my sixth graders. I found your website to be MOST useful to me. I am a teacher in Wisconsin. May I have permission to use your web site to make handouts for my class?" -Sonia, Wisconsin

"Hi. I was in a class last year with Pitt County Schools where you introduced us to the personality types and the "cave of code breakers." I used it first semester, and would like to use it again this semester." North Pitt High School

"Hello Donna, I think I need your help. I used The Aliens, Caves of the Code Breakers, and Meet Your Mode last October and would really like to use these sites again this year. Can you help me out, please? Thank you!" -School Counselor, NC School for the Deaf

"Donna- I was in your session at the NCETC and would love to do the differentiated learning styles activities in my class. I can't remember which one we did which it then matched us with celebrities but I think that could be a cool one to transition into researching one of the celebrities who was a learner like them. " --NC Middle School Teacher

"I am an adjunct instructor at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan. I would like to link to your site within a lesson on Excel and it's uses for teachers/administrators." -S. Wood

"I am an elementary technology teacher in Dallas, Texas. I am writing to request permission to use your "I Can" cards and "Tombstone printable" (found on your website) in a school-wide "I Can't" funeral. I could ceate my own version; however, yours are just so nice! You have a great website. Did you design the Technology Theme Park? That was very cool! There are some great resources throughout the site. Keep up the good work! If we get to do this as a school-wide project as I proposed to the principal, I will be happy to send pictures and small video clips. -R. Parker

"Donna, I'm working on a presentation for teachers and assistants concerning Kaleidoscope... I'm especially interested in this because my school counselors has so much trouble finding ways to link technology and her lessons. Thanks for your help!" -K. Wilkinson, Media Coordinator, Walnut Cove, NC 27052

"I never took the time to tell you, but...your presentation to the beginning teachers was FABULOUS! I could have sat in the back and listened to each group. You are definitely 'top-drawer.'" -Harnett County Schools Technology Director, North Carolina

"I would like to use your exercise in my EDU 271 Educational Technology class at Forsyth Tech. The class is for the early childhood program and has 15 students." -Marie, Forsyth Technical Community College, Winston-Salem, NC

"I am a Tech Facilitator... Looking through Kaleidoscope I would really like to do the TechKnow Park with all of our fifth graders. We don't have a fixed lab, just a mobile cart of 10 Dell laptops. However they will have 7 desktops in their classroom. What is your suggestion on how to implement this program? How would you structure and what kind of time each week?" -Sarah, New Bern, NC

"My name is Arlene Talbert and I am the Computer/Technology Teacher at Corpus Christi School in Lawrence, Kansas. I am writing to you to ask permission to use a link from your web site. The grades I teach are K-6. There are almost 2 sets if each grade and approximately 18-20 students per grade. I have just completed a unit on Excel with grades 4-6 and wanted to test their skills and knowledge that I had just presented to them."

"I am a school counselor pursuing the National Board Certification--working at NCCAT this week--our facilitator told us to go to the site and download the materials. Can you help? I will be doing an academic plan and a career lesson and the learning styles and personality inventories would be very helpful. Any of the lessons and materials that you have available would be welcomed." - Pattie, M.Ed., NCC, NCSC, LPC

"Wow! This is something else! It does parallel to our elementary school's Multiple Intelligences theme; however, it is much more in depth than the forced choice questionnaires we give our students. Of course students can have multiple smarts but they gravitate toward and consequently excel in those areas in which they experience the most success. I need to take the time to really study all of the facets of the "Alien" experience. And I know the names appeal to our students. Thank you for sharing this creative resource." -Anne, Counselor, Moore School, North Carolina

"I am a first year middle school computer teacher of a parochial school. The school's budget is very tight. They are extremely behind on technology. I had all of these decisions dumped in my lap (where to start, what curriculum to teach, finding books, etc.). I have been driving myself crazy trying to find the right book for my students. I found your site and think it is just great! I will definitely be integrating your projects in my classroom. Thanks for all of the excellent content that you've made available." - Tammy from Sullivan, Missouri

"I wanted to thank you for your incredible website! I stumbled upon it today as I was searching for reflection activities for students in our gifted and talented program. What a wealth of information! I passed it on to many of my colleagues already. I hope teachers in North Carolina find it to be as valuable as we have found it here in Iowa. Thanks for your impressive work. The content is valuable, the format is beautiful, and it’s very user-friendly. What a resource!" - K. Hanzlik, College Community Schools, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

"I would like to link to your web site for my course ECI 201 Introduction to Instructional Technology for Educators at NCSU. Thanks for such a great resource." - College of Education, NCSU

"A very powerful, well-researched response, Donna - well done! Your intellect and depth of reasoning and thought always astounds me." G.S., NCDPI, 1/19/07

"Donna, I think you should publish this somewhere, as a parent. You did an excellent job of explaining your views and make a compelling case for surveillance. I believe that you represent a real voice that should be heard and considered. Frankly, I would like to see a Point/Counterpoint article somewhere. I think it would be a valuable service to the parent community." NCDPI, 1/19/07

"I have reviewed the content of your website with much interest and I am impressed with the breadth and depth of your work. I am the Coordinator for Media & Instructional Technology for Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut. We offer computer skills courses in 6th and 8th grades and have a flexibly-scheduled, integrated program throughout K-12 including assured project-based learning experiences to teach skills in context. Thank you so much for your consideration and kudos on an excellent website."

"I am the technology coordinator in Provincetown, Massachusetts and came across you site during a search. This is an incredible site. How long did this take to complete? Did this project start as a school based concept and grow to the department of education level or was this originally for the DOE? We are very far behind in the area of technology and I find this to be outstanding." -Provincetown, Massachusetts

"The students love the profile. We are making our way through week by week. They love the Alien trading cards with different types of learning intelligences." - Frances, Onslow County, NC

"I attended an i-safe class yesterday and your wise-owl web site was mentioned. We were told it was a great site to check out. I’m unable to log in. Does it still exist and can you help?" - Grady from Phoenix, AZ.

"I am the instructional technologist for a junior high in Texas. I would like to use your Spreadsheet Mini Poster (http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/techknowpark/MiniPosters/Poster13.html) with some 7th grade math classes. They are doing a lab in January, and as I’m not sure of their comfort with Excel I would like to show your poster projected in the lab. Thank you." - Kristen

"Dear Ms. Sawyer: I have reviewed the content of your website with much interest and I am impressed with the breadth and depth of your work. I am the Coordinatorfor Media & Instructional Technology for Greenwich Public Schools in Connecticut."

Cameron McKinley, 2006-07 Alabama Teacher of the Year, cites Kaleidoscope's Covert Critical Evaluation Skills as one of her TOP TEN Ideas to learn evaluation skills and Internet Safety and "To Dive Deeper Into Technology and Model Lifelong Learning." (Alabama Education News, Nov/Dec 2006 Issue)

"Dear Ms Sawyer, I have been surfing around the Kaleidoscope site, and in particular TechKnow Park and The Hovercraft. I am in awe of the structure and framework. I am a Primary School Teacher in New South Wales, Australia. My Principal has asked my to teach computer skills across our school K - 6, next year. (Our school year runs January to December) Your site is what I was looking for. I have found so many useful ideas." - Ms. Judd, New South Wales, Australia

"I used this activity (The Aliens - Multiple Intelligences) as a journal entry at the beginning of the year. I printed off the two pages of Aliens and let them look through them and write about which aliens they liked and how they were similar to them. I read the journal entries this week. It helped me understand how much my students love to draw! Thanks for helping me know my students better!" -Stacey, Harnett County Schools

“Dear Ms. Sawyer, When we were working on the project for you I had so much fun it did not even feel like work. It’s people like you who make kids like to learn. It made a lot of people happy.” --AnnaMaria, a student at Parkwood Middle School

"I am a student using TechKnow Park at Oak Grove Elementary In Durham, NC!!!! I love your website!!!!!!! P.S: Write back soon!!"

"The activities are interesting and the students seem to enjoy them while they are learning about the computer curriculum at their grade level." - Fuquay-Varina, NC

"I LOVE this stuff!! I LOVE it all!! I just can’t wait for you to add the other years. I have been pulling activities from the fifth grade to use in my sixth grade classes, too." - Ashe County Schools

"The site is packed full of great links and resources with easy navigation. Kids are enjoying the lessons and learning LOTS! The students are DYING to find all the glow sticks." - Patti

"I am a first-time computer support specialist and Kaleidoscope has been a life-saver!!" - Brunswick County Schools

"The classroom teacher and I (media coordinator) are enjoying the activities as much as the students. They are learning a LOT!" - Jones NC

“I love the lessons in kaleidoscope. We are thinking of dividing it up for use by 4th and maybe even 3rd grades as well as fifth as we don't see 5th getting through it all in one year.” Matt, Asheville City Schools

“Please tell me that your site is just down temporarily! We absolutely love it, but have not been able to access it for the last two days.” Beth, Technology Coordinator, Bartlesville, OK

“I just discovered your great database web pages. May I give this to my teachers to use with students?” Jill, Lancaster, PA

“Hi Ms. Sawyer. My name is John G. I am a 7th grade English Teacher in NY State with my own website--www.Englishseven.com. I was hoping to link to your wonderful site--especially the hovercraft "online tools" page of interesting links for kids--puzzlemaker, detective site, etc.... In NYS we do not have the technology mandates you do… Thanks for your consideration--your work is some of the best I've seen on the web--INCREDIBLE!” John, NY State

“Seeking permission to link to your posters on the Irish Portal Website (Department of Education and Science - Ireland) This is a non-profit making website supporting Irish teachers and students. Colourful posters and activities! Many, many thanks!” Madeline, Subject Matter Expert, Irish Portal Website (Dept. of Education and Science)

“Thank you so much for responding and forwarding me the activities page. I just love Kaleidoscope! It fits each core subject area as well as our bullying program and advisor-advisee program. I don't know what I would do without it.” -Jona Hezar, Alamance Burlington Schools

“I want to take this opportunity to tell you what a remarkable site you have put together, As I was putting together information about technology integration ideas I came upon your site. This is a remarkable accomplishment.

This site encompases all the aspects that a good website should contain. I thank you for inspiring me to see what is possible when you have dedicated and creative people working with you!

Congratulations on a remarkable accomplishment!!” Janice Newell, Provincetown Public Schools, Massachusetts

“I have spent some time during the past few days checking out more of Kaleidoscope and all that it has to offer. You should be very proud...it is an awesome site. I admire you and your vision. I feel very honored to have met you today, and am kicking myself for not getting your autograph! :)” -Ryan, East Carolina University

“My name is Jona and I am the Technology teacher at Western Middle School in Alamance County. I was unable to attend the conference on Wednesday and was hoping that you could send me a copy of the resources that you handed out at the conference. I have used Kaleidoscope for the past 2 years and I love it!!!” – Western Middle School, Alamance County

“Good afternoon! My name is Lynn Gracie-Rogers and I'm a third-year computer technology teacher in Bellingham, Massachusetts. I had to comment on the Techknowpark website. It is simply amazing! Thank you so much for such an exciting, comprehensive site! Please, keep up the good work!” Lynn, Bellingham Massachusetts

“I attended your session at the library conference and was SO amazed at the offerings on the Kaleidoscope site. Thanks so much!” - Ms. Chandler, Rverwood Middle School

“Thank you for presenting teacher resources in Kaleidoscope at our New Teacher Institute. You were a sensation with the participants and to NCDPI Consultants who are anxious to use these resources themselves. The next day several folks told me they had been online looking for your resources overnight. You generated a lot of interest and excitement. I really appreciate your time and willingness to meet with our group. Most of all thank you for all you do for the North Carolina teachers and students!” - Ms. Campbell, Information/Computer Skills Consultant, NC Dept. of Public Instruction

“I am a teacher in the Alexandria City Public School Division. May I use your examples in teaching my classes and may I please refer others to your web site? Thank you so much!!” -Iburia, Virginia

“My name is Ms. Meeks. I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at La Vergne Middle school in La Vergne, TN. I like to teach the students a little extra stuff and ran across your web site. I have really enjoyed your web site!! Thank you for your time!” LaVergne, TN

“Can I duplicate this spreadsheet quiz to use in my classroom as long as I leave the info at the bottom? It’s fantastic!” -Ms. Hardt, Huntsville, Alabama

“I am an ICT Teacher in Newcastle England and have seen some good resources on your Website. I would like to use some of your resources to produce posters and worksheets for use in Classrooms within our school.” Newcastle England, Monkseaton High School

“I found the Coasters and Countries Database unit to be very interesting for my students and it met the NC technology standards beautifully!” - East Iredell Elementary School, NC

"I discovered your site while searching the Web for information on kaleidoscopes and wondered who wrote the fantastic quotation that appears at the top of the page. I would like to ask permission to use the quotation. It captures our philosophy of what an eighth grade learning community should be. Thank you for your help." - Arlington, Virginia

"I am the technology teacher for grades 5-11 at our Baptist Academy. I discovered your Tecknow Park site and think it is great. Thanks for all the great work. I would like to be able to look at and possibly use the test bank area. We have a Macintosh lab. My background is all PC. So I do sincerely appreciate you site and all the great effort you have put into it." - Nashville, Tennessee

"I just found Kaleidoscope and I am thrilled! It is excellent and has so many links to incredible resources. I am doing a workshop for teachers on using spreadsheets and databases and couldn’t believe what a resource this is!! I do a lot of staff development around North Carolina on the integration of technology and this is just what I am asking teachers to do. I would love to encourage their use of this tool in a meaningful way." - Carolina Global SchoolHouse

"It is so easy to have all this information in one place. The resources for teaching are endless!!! It’s great for any age!" - Undergraduate in School of Education, Campbell University

"This site looks amazing! I can’t wait to incorporate it into my plans this summer for next year!" - Wake County Public Schools

"I think Kaleidoscope is wonderful!" - Rowan-Salisbury Schools

"Thanks so much! I love this site! How very impressive and useful!!!" - Cary, NC

"What a wonderful resource Kaleidoscope is. Our 5th grade students love it! - Pleasant Union

“After today’s workshop, I want to get more information like print your slideshow, read more, talk to the principal and hopefully have some input in teacher’s meeting to share the wealth of information given to me today!” Media Coordinator, Harnett County Schools

"I think Kaleidoscope is AWESOME! I am really hooked! Thanks for providing such a great resource!" - Newton-Conover City Schools

"I’m working on a school-wide IGP that uses Kaleidoscope. I welcome any feedback from you. Thank you!!" - School Principal, Harnett County Schools, Lillington

"I teach in middle school, but I’m using a lot of the fifth grade ideas. I can’t wait until your middle school section is complete!" - Alamance-Burlington Schools http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/Hovercraft/index6.htm

"I attended your workshop at the Technology Conference last year. I was really excited that you had done all the planning for us and that it was such a quality site. This year our entire fifth grade will participate in Kaleidoscope during Media and Computers." - Burke County, Morganton, N.C.

“Good morning. “I came across your beautiful Spreadsheet poster on the web. Could I have permission to use it in my Excel class that I am conducting for teachers, please?” Debbie, Augusta Schools

“I am a computer teacher and school technology coordinator for The Brown School in Louisville, KY. The Brown School is a K-12 school. I found some of your computer teacher resources on the web… The mini-posters and activity sheets are wonderful!!!” Amy, Technology Teacher and STC

“Hi Ms Sawyer. My name is Kimberly. I am a graduate student at the University as well as an exceptional children's teacher. I am completing my graduate coursework and am compiling resource sites for the NC computer skills test. I am planning on sharing the resources with other teachers in my area (not for profit-as part of a research and training program). May I please post your site on my list of resources to alert other teachers to it? Thank you, Kimberly”

“Hello Donna, I would like to use the videos in mpeg format so I can send out CDs with the clips to all my media specialists! They would like to imbed them into PowerPoint presentations to use with their faculties. You are a real trooper in hanging in there with this project. Let me know if you need anything else from me.” -Executive Director of Media and Technology, Burlington, NC

“I am an educator (k- 5) in a Title 1 elementary campus in San Antonio, TX. I would like to request permission for printing a copy of the Alien cards to show other teachers a neat way to help students figure out their dominant MIs during our back- to- school staff development session next week. I plan to share your Web site with the staff as well. It is a wonderful resource for teachers and students.” - Marina, Gifted and Talented Specialist, San Antonio, Texas.

“I have discovered the learner profile puzzle page and your ‘dream building’ activities. I am teaching a class in "Dream Building" at the Jeju International English Village here on Jeju Island in South Korea. I teach Korean and New Zealand students from grades 3 to 7. The whole idea of students learning in different ways is completely foreign to Korea, where rote learning is the rule, and I wanted to give the students a chance to see what kinds of learning they feel most comfortable with. The New Zealand students are here to help the Korean students learn English.” - Melissa, Jeju- do, Korea Jeju International English Village

“Wow! This is awesome. I have my Masters in Instructional Technology and this is such a practical tool. I'm so impressed and can't wait to use it with my students.” - Roger Bacon Academy, Leland, NC.

“I would like to access the learner profiles. They are fantastic! I attended your presentation at the mentoring conference in Greenville.” - - Resource Teacher. Camp E- Ma- Henwu, Eckerd Youth Alternatives

“Hi Donna- I want to use your activities in a graduate class I am teaching. It covers Inclusive strategies and I use many of the activities that you have presented in the web site. My class meets once a month for two days, Friday and Saturday. The activities that you have included on learning styles will help me along with other selected activities that I have chosen, to demonstrate the importance of using a variety of presentation methods when working with diverse learners. I use several of these to help with processing and to give meaning to the content I am teaching. Thanks!!” - Patty, Assistant Professor, ECSE, UCA, Conway, Arizona

“I teach at a self- directed learning magnet school. This activity is a great way for students to ID how they learn and work best. May I access the Learner Profile Puzzle?” - Amy, J. Graham Brown School, Kentucky

“I just ran across you site and I am very impressed. You have done many of the things I have been working on for my classes.” - Judy McLeod, Ascension Solorsano Middle School, California.

“Donna, You are the bomb! What a gift. Thank you so much for all that you do. You just don't know how much I appreciate all of your work. You help me to give so much to our teachers that you don't even know about.” - Samantha, Instructional Technology Specialist, Harnett County Schools.

“Ms. Sawyer, Another teacher and I want to do Learning Styles with our 8th grade students. I have used your Learner Profile from Kaleidoscope many times before and I found it to be age appropriate and the students loved it.” - Kim, Cherokee County, NC.

“Donna, This is an excellent site. I remembered it immediately and how effective it was in helping the students get a better understanding of who they were and how they learned best. I am sharing it with my graduate Superintendency class. Thanks again for all your effort in the pursuit of EXCELLENT education.” - P. Ray, Technology Facilitator, Burnsville, NC.

“Hi Donna, Your site is outstanding. I use the web site as a teaching tool to demonstrate how teachers can use their own sites to deliver instruction at the learning station or in whole group.” - Nettie, District Instructional Technology Teacher.

“Just wanted to thank everyone, & anyone, for creating such a terrific resource for myself, and my Computer Students! I have incorporated ncwiseowl.org lessons into my Computer Curriculum! What a marvelous resource. I Truly love the entire NCwiseowl.org, Kscope, TechKnowPark sites, they are marvelous!” - Joel Nobel, Buffalo, NY.

“I was truly impressed by TechKnow Park!” - Terri Miquel, Elementary Technology Coordinator, Plumstead Christian School. “I came across your web site while searching for spreadsheet Ideas. What a great site!” - PHizer, Utah, Hill Field Elementary.

“You are doing a wonderful job. It has opened up dialogue and reaffirmed what we have known, kids will learn from teachers they like, just like teachers work hard for principals we like.” - Pam, Lillington/Shawtown, Harnett Co. Schools, NC.

“I've spent the last while browsing through your wonderful Kaleidoscope site, rediscovering some things and discovering entirely new things. Thanks so much for sharing your work. You've been blessed with an extra measure of creativity, and NC educators are blessed to have you working to develop new resources!” - Diane, Technology Facilitator, West Millbrook Middle School, NC.

‘Wow! This is awesome. I have my Masters in Instructional Technology and this is such a practical tool. I'm so impressed and can't wait to use it with my students.” - Nicole Rademann.

“We just got back from the computer lab with my class. They loved it and kept wanting more. We did the "Cave" activity first. They were excited to see people who were like them. A few that finished early asked to see the alien site because I had discussed the cards in class. Some cards met the student exactly...very definite (dominant) style. What excited them more was the websites they would like. Each student that made it that far agreed with the sites they went to.” - Karen, Fifth Grade Teacher, Wilmington, NC.

“I would really like to feature your mini posters in an Excel class that I’m doing for our school district.” - Education Curriculum Coordinator, Dover, Pennsylvania.

“Donna, your presentation for PTO last Thursday was wonderful. One parent who attended wanted to know when you'd come back!! I know that when you do, there will be a bigger group which will include the 8 last week. I really appreciate your taking time to help our parents access wonderful resources... It was a big help to me, too.” - Ellen, Harnett County Schools, NC.

“Hello Donna, Although I am in California I have really enjoyed your website. Thank you!” - Jill, California

“Thank you! You know I always credit your work. You are so GOOD to me! I really appreciate it.” - Stacy DeBose- Brown, Kentucky

“I am a continuing education instructor at a small college in Florida. I am scheduled to teach Excel I and II for Seniors in our Prime Time program and request permission to use some of your handout materials in my class.” - Okaloosa Walton College Prime Time Program, Florida.

“Our own Donna Sawyer, Teacher- on- Loan to the Department of Public Instruction, has begun work on a tremendous website that strives to educate parents about online safety for their children as well as monitoring capabilities of their children’s online activities. I highly recommend this site to you: http://www.ncwiseowl.org/kscope/parents.html.
This flyer, created by Donna Sawyer (referenced in my memo), is a MUST read for anyone with children who use the Internet (any age) from home. It is a service to the community to put this flyer into the hands of as many parents as possible. . If you are doing any type of mailing to parents or if you email parents, this is something that I am sure that they would greatly appreciate receiving.” - Harnett County Schools.

“They had shared your Multiple Intelligence Chart at this workshop. I really liked using the chart and the discussions we had as a result of completing the activity.” - Chatham County

“I would LOVE for Donna Sawyer to come to our school for technology workshops. She has developed a new program for at- risk students in low performing schools.” - Erwin Elementary School.

“I plan to have my students use the "Cave" portion of the program this afternoon. I used it last year when I returned from the Tech Conference and the students found it interesting. I feel the learning profiles will become more and more important to the teachers in our county as we are geared toward a big push on differentiating instruction.” - Karen, Holly Tree Elementary School, Wilmington, N.C.

Workshop Evaluations

“I came to your workshop expecting it to be all about numbers and test scores. What I got, however, was a better understanding of how students learn and a chance to see the “whole picture” of the school. I wish ALL of our teachers had been able to hear the real-life case studies you shared!” Harnett County Schools, NC

“I was one of the participants in your GPS workshops last Sunday in New Orleans. I really like your Kaleidoscope web site and would like to pass its link along to colleagues via an informal mailing list that I run. Thank you for such great information!” Ms. Gray, The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

“I was very impressed with your presentation on achievement. I am sorry I missed the other workshops you offered. Kaleidoscope is incredible! I have my work cut out to take full advantage of what you have created. I would sincerely appreciate to have the links to your other presentations, so I can utilize the wealth of information you have gathered. If this is possible, I would be very grateful. Thanks again for all your work.” -Steve Lipe, ArtSpace Charter School

“The thing I value most from your workshops: practical solutions to common problems we experience.” -Erwin Elementary School, NC

“Thank you for sharing Kaleidoscope’s Write Moods and Learner Profile in your workshop. It is an innovative approach I have started using to assists students to identify and own their feelings. They have an opportunity to answer questions about their mood and learn intervention strategies to use throughout their lives. I use Kaleidoscope with In School Suspension students on their first day of ISS suspension. Some of them are scared, angry and often downright defiant. Often they do not wish to own their indiscretion for assignment to ISS. By using the program, they sort out their feelings and become more calm and reachable. They learn that they are not the only person with their problem(s). Later in the day, the group has a counseling session wherein students tell why they are in ISS. We call it telling their "story". This gives them an opportunity to say aloud what they have done. Thanks to Kaleidoscope, students have intervention strategies to share with the story teller. Students then have an opportunity to learn strategies to deal with many problems they will face. When I ask specifically if students received helpful ideas from Kaleidoscope, they overwhelmingly responded that the intervention strategies were great ideas on how to handle problems.” --Ms. Alston, Masters Degree in Guidance, Carnage Middle School

"Thank you for demonstrating Kaleidoscope to us. It has turned my year around. Before using Kaleidoscope, I couldn’t relate to the fifth grade classes like I could the lower grades. They didn’t like computer lab and I worried about what to do with them. Now the fifth graders can’t wait to come to the lab and I look forward to seeing them. Last week, there was a great deal of commotion in the corner of the lab. When I walked over, a group of students had found their first glow stick! How exciting! We can’t wait to find the others!" - Catawba County

“I attended your session at the library conference and was SO amazed at the offerings on the Kaleidoscope site. Thanks so much!” - Ms. Chandler, Rverwood Middle School

“I value Donna’s enthusiasm for her work. It encourages us to really want to implement the ideas back at our schools!” Floy, Harnett County Schools

“Donna don't know if you remember me but I have attended several of your sessions. Is there anyway you could come to Iredell for a few hours and present/introduce your great resource to our middle school folks? I know with your presentation, it will be well received and used. It is such a great resource I want our teachers using it.” Barb, Iredell County, NC

“I wish you could present this workshop (What Lies Beneath Achievement) again at every school in our county!” Harnett County Schools, NC

"Great! Really enjoyed this workshop session! Presenter was very knowledgeable and did a very good job. I can't wait to get home to my PC!" Classroom Teacher, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"Wow! I'll share this with the new teachers at our school." - Central Office, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"I really enjoyed learning about this stuff. Excellent!" Regular Ed. Teacher, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"Loved it! Plan to share with my family and my co-workers!!" Regular Ed, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"Great presenter! Will check out all the resources on your web site!" Central Office, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"Upbeat, cheerful, delightful presenter! Great with engaging participants." Regular Ed. Teacher, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"This was GREAT info for both teachers and students." Regular Ed. Teacher, 2006 Annual Elementary School Conference, RTP, NC (Gain More Brain Power)

"Presenter was dynamic--very excited, contagious enthusiasm! I want to tell my whole faculty about this and do a workshop!" NCSLMA 2006 (Student Motivation)

"This was wonderful. Wish we had more time!" NCSLMA 2006 (Student Motivation)

"Energetic presenter! Slides emphasized main points and organized information well." NCSLMA 2006 (Student Motivation)

"The most beneficial part of the training was Donna's detailed information and web resources. Thanks! Great session." NCSLMA 2006 (Student Motivation)

"All of it was GREAT! Will share with principal and teachers and use it with all my students." NCSLMA 2006 (Student Motivation)

"Very good presenter. She was vibrant and full of knowledge. Not enought time for the class!" NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"This is the type of brain research that eveery district should learn. It helps to know how to m ake learning easier through smart choices. The session was too short! I could have listened to this info for another hour easily. Super job!" NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Wonderful! Wish we had more time. The suggestions of ways to help students address behavior problems was great." NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Fantastic. Humorous presentation and energetic presenter." NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Great job. Very enjoyable." NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Everything was practical. Love the fact that it is all online. I will use many of these resources with my students! Wish we could have a part II." NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Loved the part about "Killing the ANTS. Great presenter!" NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"This was great. I can't think of any way to improve it!" NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Great job! Great topic -- this is very much needed in our hectic lives." NCETC 2005 (Gain More Brain Power)

"Everything was wonderful! Thank you! I loved it." Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06

"I will train teachers at my own school in the aspects of the Kaleidoscope web site. Also, I will integrate information into developed units. Keep up the good work! Love the resource" Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06

"The most beneficial part of the training was the versatility of the information presented." Middle School Teacher, Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06

"What was most beneficial? The new resources, the presenter was excited about her content, presenter was easy to follow and listen to, appreciated the brisk pace. Wish we had m ore time to play with the sites." Middle School Teacher, Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06

"I will use this information to develop classroom lessons and peak children's interest." Middle School Teacher, Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06

"Very useful! I am anxious to explore all of these resources." Middle School Teacher, Ashe County Middle School, 2/10/06