Power4Kids TEACHERS Testimonials

I too have a struggling reader at home and was heartily disappointed when her school district decllined participation in P4K. So, I have seen the struggle both professionally and personally which is why I am so happy to be a part of a project designed to really close the gap, and not just continue to "accomodate" the weakness. Thank you for helping teachers and children everywhere, with your generous support fo this project.
– Robin Pleta, Upper st. Clair School District

I want to thank you for speaking with us on Wendesday. It was very motivational to see someone, other than an educator, so driven to help children learn to read.
– Mandy Davern, Park Elementary School. Steel Valley School District.

I wish to thank you for your hard work and support for struggling readers. Without you and your foundation, this would not have been possible.
– Jennifer Appleman, Reverview School District. Oakmont, PA

Thank you for providing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. I am so honored to be a part of the program.
– Kristin Gardell, Brooks Elementary. Moon Area School District

You have such passion for your work. It inspired me to reach out to as many families as I can in order to aid their children to become better readers.
– Mary Jo Ignatius, Elizabeth Forward School District

Thank you for being the motivating factor behind Power4Kids. As Ann Landers stand–"There are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who say What Happened???" Thank goodness, YOU make things happen. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Cindy, you have such belief in children! You are so critically aware that children are our future and we need to invest in every single one of them. Power4Kids will give all children the opportunity to experience success. I was the teacher who spoke of giving the students confidence–confidence to know he/she can now pick up a book and actually read and enjoy it.
– Marge Meighan, Westinghouse School/East Allegheny School District

As an educator I have never had the opportunity to work daily and this intensely with a small group of children. When I look into their beautiful faces and see the excitement and pride they feel while thy sound out words or when they are able to comprehend passage they have just read, I'm overwhelmed.
Our school district is comprised of 25% special education students and 67% of our students receive free lunches. Many of our children do not have someone at home to read to them or help them with homework. As hard as our staff works, the occasional 20 minute pull out of the regular class or after school tutoring for 30 minutes is not enough. We offer workshops for parents and only handful show up. When the director of curriculum offered me this position I was excited and a little apprehensive. In the past when I have been chosen for special projects/committees it has always involved more work than initially thought and more important before it even gets off the ground it is cut do to lack of funds. The Power4Kids program has provided me with a fantastic training on the SRA curriculum, two enthusiastic facilitators, and tremendous support/cheerleaders in Rosanne and Jessica from the AIU.
– Mary Ann LaFever, Cornell Intermediate School. McKeesprot Area School District

I am twenty-sixth year teacher, a reading specialist who works for the Alleghemy Intermediate Unit. I was trained to use the Spell/Read Program, a program I truly believe wil make a difference in these student's lives. I am also using the program with my daughter, a very bright girl with a unilatereal hearing loss in her left ear. She is in need of a better sound system and Kay thought the program would work well for her. I am very excited to be a part of this research program but I am particulary opens opportunities to those opportunities to those who may not otherwise get the chance.
– Michele Milito

I've been a reading specialist for over 25 years and have done intervention work for over half that time. This system really helps the children to see how the language works. I'm very happy to be involved in this project. It's "awesome", in the true sense of the word, to think that we can be involved in something that can have implications with how we serve our students on a nationl scale.Thank you for all the work you have done to make this possible.
– Priscilla Jackman, Steel Valley School District, Barrett Elementary

I wanted to personally thank you for initiating the Power4Kids Program. I am very excited to be a part of this inaugural study. I have seen a Special Education teacher for longer than I care to say! I have always worked with struggling readers and have been highly rewarded when instruction finally clicks with a child. When my students have been able to be included I have pushed into the classroom and worked with all students. I have witnessed firsthand those children who have not qualified for special services, but are struggling nonetheless. I am confident that this program will reach that population and make a huge difference in their lives. The training we received was excellent. What a luxury (and a rarity) to be afforded the oppotunity to have thorough training and a residency period prior to implementation. Thank you,thank you! The weeks with the fourth graders solidified my belief in the effectiveness of Corrective Reading. The students showed gains and LOVED the program. They didn't want to stop! One group actually asked their teacher if they could come to my room when they had some free time! On parent conference day one mother told me she thinks her daughter learned more in seven weeks than she had learned in the first years of school!
– Jennie Colaizzi, East Union Intermediate. Deer Lakes

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