What Educators Say About Our Content,
Methods, and Instructors

I first used your writing strategies with my fourth grade, gifted and high achieving students.  Their writing improved immediately—ideas, expression, and scope. I have found similar results this year with my second grade students. Thanks!   Teacher, Budlong Elem. School.

Before I showed-up to this training, I was dreading the cold lecture-driven approach to teaching/presenting.  I’m extremely happy with the styles used by both Henrietta and Carol.  I felt engaged and motivated to dive into the training workshops with an open mind.  I learned exactly what I need to help my non-readers read.  Thanks a million!  Teacher, LAUSD

During the 2009—2010 school year, Ms. Fortson trained me to use the Literacy Connection’s Word Wise procedures with my resource students.  I found everything she taught me extremely valuable.  As a result of the use of her materials and techniques, all of my resource students made excellent growth in in reading and writing.  All teachers need to know these strategies. 
Resource Teacher,   Watts Learning Center Charter School

Henrietta has provided consultant services for the Watts Learning Center since it first opened in 1997.  She has been an invaluable resource as we have implemented PD focused on teachers’ and students’ needs.  My teachers have mastered many of the her strategies and their use has positively impacted student achievement especially for students who might struggle with learning to read.  These strategies work with all students but are critical for intervention.  Henrietta is very passionate about teaching and learning and this is very apparent as she works with teachers, and students.  She is committed to helping us solve problems and improve. 
K. Nelson, Principal, Watts Learning Center

As I think about the ideas we discussed, it reminds me that we all have accountability to address each individual child’s need in our class and to work as a team within our schools. 
Teacher, Pasadena SD

I have been introduced to a well thought out, organized way to teach students that is indeed systematic which is a key I believe to student achievement and a feeling of success for the student.  I’ve been to several workshops.  This is the BEST workshop because it provided the teachers with hands on materials that are organized and can be used.  This was FANTASTIC!  
Teacher, Compton USD

What surprised me was that I really did not know the systematic (specific) steps to fluency… starting small and building.  It makes so much sense to teach this way.  The children build a foundation of knowledge and confidence. 
Teacher, Pasadena SD

I feel more positive about actually being successful in improving the literacy of my students.  Teacher, Pacoima Middle School

This training will help me as a bilingual coordinator to go back and give staff-development to the primary teachers. 
Teacher, Tweedy Elementary

I learned many important concepts and how to teach them   The trainer was excellent.  I would really like to attend another workshop where she is the trainer.  She is well prepared. 
Teacher, Stanford Avenue Elementary School

Henrietta is fantastic.  She came into my classroom and demonstrated and coached me in how to get all my students writing expository and narrative compositions.  They loved it.  I loved it.  I will always use the writing strategies and techniques she taught me.
Grade 2 Teacher, Budlong Elem. School

This is only the second workshop/staff development in two years in which I felt what I took away was actually useful to me the next day, so to speak, versus a bunch of paperwork that ends up wallpapering my apartment instead of providing me with solution!!! 
Teacher, Compton USD

What surprised me was how complex language is, yet at the same time there is a logic to it.   Teacher, Rowland Heights Elementary School

What surprised me was the lack of letter recognition with the children who were assessed in reading today.  I didn’t realize it was so broad a problem throughout our district.  Teacher, Pasadena SD

We need to be aware of the many ways in which phonics, word awareness, sounds, etc. can be included in many ways and throughout the day.  I can use this type of activity with students of mixed ages and abilities. 
Teacher, Rowland Heights Elementary School

What was most significant to me was the step-by step user-friendly method that was presented.  It will help me in this transition from teaching Spanish to English reading.  Teacher, LAUSD

I can do this! It isn’t just for elementary school teachers!   Teacher, South Gate Middle School 

The techniques you’ve taught us have helped me to successfully teach all my students—even the ones that I would have given up on. 
Teacher, 95th Street School

Ms Fortson is my mentor who first trained me over 5 years ago. When I moved to my current school, I was made chair of the English department because the administrator was impressed by my teaching that uses methods I learned from Ms. Fortson.  Teacher, Animo South, A Green Dot School

The binder is a tremendous asset with just about everything one would need to teach with.  I was trying to pull things from other sources and after going through the binder; everything is at my fingertips.  I came in thinking, “what’s new” can we learn and to my amazement, lots of things.  I feel thankful, grateful and truly appreciative for helping us make this an easier and more satisfying task. 
Teacher, Compton USD

You folks should be teaching at the university level. The things you’ve showed me have helped me to understand not only what to teach but how to reach all my students. 
Teacher, Watts Learning Center

I learned how to teach consonant sounds and vowel sounds.  I also enjoyed games such as hot potato. My kids will enjoy them also.  I plan on teaching almost everything I learned here.  I’m throwing out my old plans.  I have more structure and knowledge. 
Teacher, Bryson Elementary School

Good presentation, wealth of knowledge, lots of hands-on activities, active, interesting activities we can take to our classrooms, user-friendly manual, presenters were very knowledgeable, THANKS!  Teacher, LAUSD

The thinking maps will be extremely useful; also the assessment materials will be used immediately. 
Teacher, Pacoima Middle School.

This training has made me realize that as I learn and use more effective ways to teach literacy, the more I will enjoy my job and the more my students will enjoy learning. 
Teacher, Weemes Elem. School

Teachers began to see significant improvement in the reading and spelling skills of the students in our intervention program.  Students also enjoyed the program and were eager to attend on a daily basis.  The TA’s who taught the students were closely supervised by the Literacy Connection consultants who would often work with students who were having difficulty.
Title I Coordinator, Budlong Elem. School.