Students say:
. . . learning core values . . .
“My favorite part of your visit was learning the core values and letting us pick any core value that we want instead of you giving us our core values to do for our projects.” – Abigail, 5th grade
. . . students can make a difference in the world . . .
“During the two weeks you came, I learned a lot. I learned how students can make a difference about the world. I learned how some kids see America….Thank you for letting some of us students share our pictures and writing. Thank you for listening to us unlike other adults. I liked how you asked different questions about our posters.” – Ali, 5th grade
. . . responsibility is a good word . . .
“As my core value, I chose ‘responsibility’ because it was an interesting word. I think that people should be more responsible with their trash because if there’s more trash, there’s more pollution. If there’s more pollution, there’s more asthma. That’s why I think responsibility is a good word. I also think that people in the whole wide world shouldn’t throw trash in the streets, because the pollution is bad for the old people and the kids.” – Michelle, 5th grade
. . . encouraging kids to think about America . . .
“I had so much fun teaching adults instead of the other way around…. I really liked the idea of you guys encouraging kids to think about America. I learned so much I could write a 20-page essay of what I learned! Thank you once again.” – Dylan, 5th grade
Teachers say:
. . . the powerful impact of art . . .
Your program serves as an excellent example of the powerful impact which art can have upon young people. By encouraging our students to reflect upon contemporary issues and civic action, your lessons have demonstrated how artists use their medium to influence positive change. By providing students with the opportunity to express their own thoughts and feelings artistically, you have shown them that their own thoughts and feelings are equally relevant. Our young people have learned that their education and participation in civic life will help determine the course of events in our democracy.
- Dennis Hagen-Smith, Toluca Lake Elementary School
National Board Certified Teacher, 5th grade teacher
. . . connection between art and activism . . .
My students learned the “connection between art and activism and a validation of their voice and the issues they face as young people.”
- Trevor Gardner, Teacher
. . . range of issues . . .
I want to thank you for the wonderful work you did…with my ninth graders in Life Skills. They were obviously very engaged and responsive, and I was impressed by the quality of both the observations and artwork you elicited… It was interesting to hear the range of issues they thought relevant—and the extent of their awareness of the subtleties and complexities of those issues. This allowed me to see my students in another light.
- Alan Warhaftig, Fairfax High School, Teacher and Coordinator
. . . students have a voice . . .
“The students raved about the opportunity to express their views on various subjects that are important to their lives. You made them feel that they do have a voice and that others would be listening. “
- Patricia Bardwell, Silverado Middle School
. . . I learned about my students in more depth . . .
“I learned about my students in more depth; what are the issues they are facing, what is important to them, how they communicate and the pressing need for empowered youth.”
- Julie Turpin, Lawrence Cook Middle School
. . . youTHink fills the void . . .
“youTHink not only fills a void in the services it offers to schools, its three day program also provides the best art-for-social-change curriculum I have seen in my six years with SFUSD. “
-Sarah Brant, Teacher & Peer Resources Coordinator, Balboa High School
. . . deeper understanding . . .
“My students came away from the youTHink visit with a deeper understanding of their own views on important social issues, and they felt like their perspectives had been taken seriously by adults who are interested in their well-being.“
-Beth Daly, Teacher, San Lorenzo High School
. . . creative atmosphere . . .
“I was amazed at youTHink’s ability to engage my young kids in conversations about complex issues, making them feel comfortable to share out and facilitate such a creative atmosphere. The 45 school-age and middle school youth that youTHink worked with, stretched their minds, became artists with a real voice and enjoyed that feeling of empowerment.“
-Jan Hoshida, Director of Elementary School Programs Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center
. . . issues they faced living in an urban environment . . .
“Our students had profound discussions based on new and developing insights. Even after the youTHink instructors left, the heightened awareness continued to be evident in their other classroom activities. They showed interest in the news, read the newspaper regularly and often wrote about pressing issues they faced living in an urban environment.“
-Diane Garfield, Teacher, Clarendon Alternative School
Lecturer, San Francisco State University
. . . we all benefited . . .
“My students are exposed to many of the problems of our society. They are impacted by violence, drugs, and abuse of many types. Your program allowed them to express their feelings through art and we all benefited.“
-Janis Falco, Department Chair, Rudsdale Academy
Training participants say:
. . . importance of being an agent of change . . .
The “community” exercise was very powerful in showing to the team the importance of being an agent of change, and the team dynamics required to make that change
- Corporate Training Participant
. . . support and collaboration . . .
Even though every person has a purpose and if let be, can slowly make some change, it is most effective when there is support and collaboration to aid the development and speed up the change expand the impact.
- Corporate Training Participant
. . . reality check for the diversity council . . .
It was a “Simulation of Real Life” and although tough for some to look at it, it was a great reality check for the council. Thank you!
- Corporate Training Participant
. . . additional perspective on diversity . . .
The workshop brought additional perspective on diversity. It reaffirms my position and commitment to the program. Also, the workshop helped me to discover new ways of communicating with people.
- Corporate Training Participant
|
