Reviews

Comments from Past Workshop Participants

All teachers should have the opportunity to spend a few days together and reflect on the issues we have had the opportunity to reflect upon. The time needed should be given/granted.

Nuria Vidal, Education Advisor – Consulate of Spain, New York City

I found the workshop helped me synthesize multicultural education theory and I now have skills to move theory into practice.

Cindy Sammons, Multicultural Consultant, Chicago, IL

The institute helped me tremendously to crystallize my thinking for how to engage students in multicultural theory and practice. I will continue to review my practice and how I can infuse what I learned for the benefit of my students.

Pamela Taylor, Assistant Professor of Education, Seattle, WA

Wonderful learning experience. I was able to pick up a number of strategies and skills that I could use with my student teachers in helping them develop a multicultural approach in their teaching.

Lucy Mule, Assistant Professor, Smith College, Northampton, MA

The workshop should be mandatory for all individuals involved in the education system (not just teachers). There should be a component of this as a mandatory part of every education degree program.

Paul Carolan, Director – Regional Multicultural Magnet School, New London, CT

Bill Howe Rocks! This course adds meaning and depth to the term “Multicultural education, it was a tremendous help in teaching me how I can better reach all students in my classroom.
Mark Mishriky, Graduate Student University of CT

The discussion and small group work was particularly helpful. This approach of incorporating multicultural learning right into my curriculum was an important mindset change, and it was valuable as I begin my teaching career.

Maurice Nelson, Graduate Student – NEAG School of Education, University of CT

This was a wonderful, enlightening workshop that not only provided background information and current circumstances, but gave useful, meaningful strategies to implement within our schools and classrooms. I was impressed with the means of incorporating the multicultural concepts within our current lesson in all subjects, rather than adding on more to our already full curriculum. The wealth of resources provided was fabulous.
Pamela Kancler, Special Education Teacher – Clover Street School – Windsor, CT

Finally, an institute that puts it together; great resources and useful ideas.
Mike Greenwood, District Teacher Leader – Windsor, CT

The workshop was very inspirational, working with and thinking with other educators who are very passionate about multicultural education. All teachers have a social responsibility to teach kids about the world rather than support ethnocentrism. Bill Howe’s presentations involve everyone, engage in different ways. I will be leaving the workshop with a wealth of information from him, from other participants and selected materials given out.

Sandra Heller, Social Worker – Platt Tech High School, Milford, CT

Excellent modeling of differentiated instruction. I enjoyed Bill’s style, approach, facilitation, very generous with sharing of resources, and the most materials given to participants…more than any I have received in my 25 years attending workshops, seminars. Highly recommend this course – wish it were longer.
Philip Harak, English Teacher, South Windsor High, South Windsor, CT

This has been not only a professional journey, but a personal journey, of growth and enlightenment.
Tracey Keeler, Instructor for On-line Learning, NC TEACH, Chapel Hill, NC

Developing a multicultural curriculum was an eye-opening, enriching and exciting workshop which I will take with me in both my personal and professional journey. Bill Howe was by far the most engaging and effective facilitator I have ever had.
Emily Wilkins, Program Development Coordinator, Visiting International Faculty (VIF) Program) Chapel Hill, NC .

Presenters knowledge-base, experience and facilitation skills were exceptional. His flexibility and sensitivity to our needs as adult learners, enhanced the learning process. Amount of resources received should be commended. I’ve been affirmed that multicultural education is more than heroes and holidays and is primarily about how we teach. Bill has been a great role model and has equipped us with numerous tools to get started. …let’s keep the passion alive!

Michelle LeBrun-Griffin, Consultant, SERC, Middletown, CT

Top quality program. A great value for personal and academic work.

Moses Stambler, Progam Social Worker, Southern Connecticut State University

This was one of the most interesting and certainly the most useful workshop I have attended in 25 years of teaching. Bill’s demeanor and presentation of material as well as his ready wit contributed to an atmosphere of collegial trust and sharing. I was sorry to see the workshop end. The books and handouts were relevant and will be utilized constantly.

Carol M. Carpenter, Social Studies Teacher, Mystic Middle School

This workshop is a must for any educator-teacher, administrator, parent, office supervisor – to understand how to create an environment that provides safety, acceptance, and freedom to live and learn in our ever-changing world.

Abbe Karmen, MS History Teacher, Greenwich Academy

From the workshop I learned that the value of multicultural awareness will not be exclusively implemented in an educational curriculum, but to practice and share the same principles with our own family members.

Ivonne Gigueroa, Family Advocate Head Start, WECC – Windham Public Schools

A well worth experience. The 3 best days of my summer that will have an impact on the rest of my school year.

Joan Edwards, Dir. of Student Diversity, Greenwich Academy

This workshop is powerful and transforming! It not only teaches about and how to use multicultural education, but it also reaches each participant on a personal level, helping to inspire us on each of our own journeys – Personal as well as professional.

Karianna Rosenberg, Multi-Cultural Specialist Educator, Storyteller/ Spanish and ESL Teacher, Weaver

A deeply moving and worthwhile experience!

Jeffrey R. Cianflore, English Teacher, Newington High School.

No matter what your school culture is – or how developed your curriculum is, multiculturally – you can benefit from this workshop.

Chalise Nettleton, Bilingual Teacher, Forbes School

I have had the wonderful experience of meeting many interesting professional educators – all of which have contributed to my knowledge base of multiculturalism. Through this in-service program I have developed a greater respect, knowledge and empathy for my fellow human beings who live on our tiny planet Earth.

Philip J. Insalaco, Head Teacher – Ken Gunderam Early Care and Education Center, Taftville, CT

The active, hands-on approach is wonderful…sensitive sharing of personal stories helped us all open up…lively, animated games inspired us to do more with our own students. On top of this, the content and approach to multiculturalism is perfect!

Ruth Rose, 3^rd Grade Teacher, Madison-Island Ave. School

All school staff should have these 3 days of enlightenment! In fact all people should! Many ideas were ones I’ve had for years, but this forced me to slow down to think about them more and have a very meaningful exchange with others. I learned new ways to present the ideas to others using all modalities.

Barbara Carman, South Elementary South, Windsor Locks, CT

The workshop was wonderful. I wish my whole school staff was here. I’m going to encourage all of them to go to the next one.

Rebecca Earl, Language Arts Teacher – Memorial Boulevard Middle School, Middletown, CT

A very powerful tool to be used in our schools. I think every teacher should be exposed to this workshop.

Armanzo Zarazu, Torrington Spanish Teacher, Torrington High School

The collaborative approach used throughout the workshop encouraged the sharing of multiple perspectives. This was a wonderful experience to warm the heart, tickle the funnybone, and inspire the mind!

Mary Gates, Grade 5 Teacher – Whisconier Middle School, Brookfield, CT

Absolutely fantastic workshop from the activities on day 1 to the movie “Color of Fear” on day 3 the program was outstanding. The material presented was timely and practical. The facilitator Bill Howe, set an atmosphere that prompted an incredible honest, open dialogue. It was a positive, enlightening experience. It will change how I view multiculturalism forever. Every teacher and administrator should take this workshop.

Carol McMahon, Cranbury, CT

This workshop is like no other I have ever had the opportunity to experience. We have a moral responsibility to hear and try to understand what needs to be said. It will change your life.

Maria Ierard, Department of Mental Retardation, West Region, CT

Wow! What a great workshop. It was informative enlightening and fun. I felt safe to share feelings and express opinions. It was a great opportunity to network.

Andrea Kelly, Program Coordinator -Kids Korner at Northern Middlesex YMCA

This workshop illustrates the quote on RFK’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery… “ripples on water, from one little stone…” keep spreading this much needed message to educators!

Maura Rogers, Grade 5 Teacher, The Wheeler School – Providence, RI

This workshop gave me many meaningful activities to use in my classroom. I was able to learn new content in a non-threatening way. Every teacher and administrator should attend this workshop!

Christina Carmon, South Elementary School, CT

We all need to develop/change our ways of thinking about multicultural education and educating multiculturally, and this workshop had a great mix of theoretical and practical information and process.

Philip Hall, Middle School Teacher/Diversity Coordinator – The Wheeler School, Providence RI

This was a wonderful workshop, it was informative, and made a difficult subject light and fun to learn.

Wendy Horelick, Preschool Teacher- TVCCA Early Care and Education

This program creates a non-threatening, informative opportunity for participants to explore, discuss and experience multicultural education.

Faith Messer Fuerst, Special Education/Language Arts Instructor -Hartford Transitional Learning Academy

The workshop really improved my own cultural competence, the dimensions of multicultural education, etc. It was an incredible experience. Because most of us came as individuals it seems like an awesome task to try to spread the word. Possibly it can be done as a school or system project or even as a “trainer of trainers” approach. Suggestion could be made that teams be sent ideas and concepts need to be infused into every classroom. Thank you so much for changing my personal perspectives and moving me to the social/justice action phase.

Romelia Boissevain, Reading Teacher – Nathan Hale School, New London, CT

Wonderful learning experience. I was able to pick up a number of strategies and skills that I could use with my student teachers in helping them develop a multicultural approach in their teaching.

Lucy Mule, Assistant Professor, Smith College, Northampton, MA

Being coordinator of the Extended Day Program I feel charged to completely create my program to be truly multicultural. I now have the tools to support my staff that they are a vital part in the students lives and what they learn in their journey to becoming “whole.” We can hopefully be a model for other after school programs to follow. I applaud you on how you created a safe environment in the first hour. I don’t think this workshop would have gotten so deep or involved in sharing of ourselves had you not done that. BRAVO!!

Terri Delahanty, Coordinator Extended Day Program – University of Hartford Magnet School

Thank you for teaching me so much and for making me feel so welcomed!

Lupe Vivier, 4^th Grade Home Room Teacher – The Wheeler School – Providence, RI

This was a most exciting and enjoyable workshop. It was well paced and, as should be, quite diverse, especially the workshops staff. Each presenter was knowledgeable and held our interest. This should be a required workshop for all school staff.

James Mays, Teacher, Adult Education-Hartford

A humanizing and authentic process that really lifts the heart and spirit giving renewed impetus to my actions.

Marlene Buchanan, Program Developer, ACES

The materials and positive manner that it was presented provides educators with a non-threatening means of bringing MCE to their colleagues and staff.

Jack Ceccolini, Assistant Principal, Rochambeau M.S.

A liberating experience. I have great pride in having lived through these decades of change -I look forward to being an agent of change and looking for the gifts in all people.

Merrilee Gladkosky, Art/Enrichment Specialist, Chester Elementary

It is a wonderful experience; it is a “real learning experience”. During those three days I had the opportunity to think, and realized how important it is to be proud of our roots.

Carmen Martinez Rivera, Bilingual Educator, E.C. Goodwin

I would highly recommend this workshop to all the teachers and administrators who are really concerned about the future of [our] great country.

Jesus Suarez, Bilingual Teacher, Hartford Transitional Learning Academy

This workshop was inspiring and informative in the extreme….. Every Educator in CT. should attend this invaluable seminar.

Anne G. O’Brien, Classroom Teacher, Pine Grove Elementary School

Avon, CT 06001

This workshop not only is helpful in creating a curriculum that is multicultural, but does so in a way that can be incorporated the next day. It also naturally created ways to have all of the subjects be fully integrated in a way that is meaningful and effective. It is done in such a way that will be easy for every educator- arts, academics, and support. etc., to implement naturally. “A whole new school without all the work!”

Kate Eskra, Arts Integration Teacher, Interdistrict School For Arts and Communication

This was an absolutely inspiring, enlightening and affirming experience. The content was applicable, the presenters excellent and the group phenomenal.

Kathleen Marzano, Fourth Grade Teacher, Pine Grove School

I believe that this workshop should be mandated by the state or town. Even though I am a race/culture seminar facilitator and have a lot of experience in this area, I certainly needed this workshop to learn how to institutionalize multicultural curriculum into my school with the help of administration and other staff members.

Arlene Berkowitz, Teacher (ESL), Windham Middle School

Incredibly relevant and timely topic accompanied by accessible materials and activities. This was a user-friendly workshop, I will implement throughout my years as an educator.

Michele Nunn, Teacher Grade 7, Dolan Middle School

Excellent forum for discussion! Eye opening in terms of teacher needs, perceptions and stumbling blocks and incorporating Multicultural Education across the curriculum.

Christine Smith Willett, Children’s Reference Librarian, Mashantucket Pequot Museum Research Center

As a first year teacher, I feel this seminar will be extremely helpful in developing my personal teaching “style”.

Melissa J. Hoyt, Special Education Teacher, Plainfield Central Middle School

This multicultural curriculum workshop was one of the most valuable professional development experiences I’ve had. It helped to facilitate self-reflection and at the same time promoted practical discussions and ideas. Everyone left changed and convinced there was some specific thing she could do. Thanks all of you, You made it a wonderful experience.

Anne Alpert, Director, Side by Side Community School

I found this workshop on multicultural education so very informative and insightful.

Arlene Avery, Vernon Regional Adult Ed, CT

Yes. I was pleasantly surprised by your learning by doing rather than by rhetoric.

Sandra Brown, Hamden Hill County Day School, CT

This is a great workshop for all educators especially for beginning teachers.

Christine Kendall, Carmen Arace Middle School, CT

Bill raised my awareness. Excellent workshop.

Jeanne Lawrence, Benjamin Jepson School, CT

“The workshop was an emotional roller coaster but so well worth the ride. I have now been to a Professional Development that touched my heart so deeply.” Grade 4 Teacher, Elementary Magnet School

“I have attended many workshops focused on multiculturalism. But this workshop was the best I’ve participated in. Not only did I learn and receive much information, I have concrete ideas and plans to implement in my classroom and school.“ Learning Center Specialist, Community School, St L Louis, MO

“The institute helped me tremendously to crystallize my thinking for how to engage students in multicultural theory and practice. I will continue to review my practice and how I can infuse what I learned for the benefit of my students.” Assistant Professor of Education, Seattle, WA

“Wonderful learning experience. I was able to pick up a number of strategies and skills that I could use with my student teachers in helping them develop a multicultural approach in their teaching.”
Assistant Professor, Smith College, Northampton, MA

I found the workshop helped me synthesize multicultural education theory and I now have skills to move theory into practice.

Wonderful learning experience. I was able to pick up a number of strategies and skills that I could use with my student teachers in helping them develop a multicultural approach in their teaching.

The workshop should be mandatory for all individuals involved in the education system (not just teachers). There should be a component of this as a mandatory part of every education degree program.

Finally, an institute that puts it together; great resources and useful ideas.

Excellent modeling of differentiated instruction. I enjoyed Bill’s style, approach, facilitation, very generous with sharing of resources, and the most materials given to participants…more than any I have received in my 25 years attending workshops, seminars. Highly recommend this course – wish it were longer.

This has been not only a professional journey, but a personal journey, of growth and enlightenment.

A deeply moving and worthwhile experience!

The workshop was wonderful. I wish my whole school staff was here. I’m going to encourage all of them to go to the next one.

The collaborative approach used throughout the workshop encouraged the sharing of multiple perspectives. This was a wonderful experience to warm the heart, tickle the funnybone, and inspire the mind!

Absolutely fantastic workshop … the program was outstanding. The material presented was timely and practical. The facilitator Bill Howe, set an atmosphere that prompted an incredible honest, open dialogue. It was a positive, enlightening experience. It will change how I view multiculturalism forever. Every teacher and administrator should take this workshop.