What People are Saying About Hidden Sparks
Feedback from Hidden Sparks participants highlights the impact it’s making on teachers and their students. In the words of one teacher, “Because of Hidden Sparks, I now understand the importance of collaboration between principal, teachers, parents, and students to help students succeed.” And from another teacher, “I used to focus on the student’s major weakness without looking enough at the whole student. The constructs allow me to check and look at the whole student. (They) also taught me to focus more on students’ affinity and strengths.”
Another teacher explained, “Hidden Sparks showed me that the more students understand their own learning issues the more able they will be to help themselves develop strategies even after they leave school. I thought that I had a good understanding of how to approach teaching children with learning differences. Now I have been given a toolkit, which has more precise tools that will help me use my prior knowledge and the “best” key to open the door for more of my students.”
School Administrators Views
The Hidden Sparks Program is an educator’s dream. It provides the opportunity to focus on each child’s individual needs by providing concrete strategies and ongoing support to our teachers. The integration of behavioral and learning strategies helps teachers focus on the total child, identify the hidden sparks in each, while igniting the flame which will hopefully illuminate the child’s future development.”
Rabbi Gary Menchel, Menahel Yeshiva Har Torah, Bellerose
“The teachers think differently about students. They don’t say ‘this child is impossible.’ They are thinking more deeply about each student and wondering what might be going on.”
Sara Rosenfeld, Assistant Principal, Barkai Yeshiva, Brooklyn
“A highly professional program that is very helpful for bringing out the best in each of our students.”
Rabbi David Abramchik, Prinicipal, Shaare Zion Ohel Bracha, Forest Hills
“Hidden Sparks offers unparalleled professional development. Working with a mentor, teachers are able to gain insight into individual students and so modify their teaching to enable them to reach every student in their class.”
Rabbi Alan Berkowitz, Principal, Ramaz Lower School, Manhattan
Comments From SCALE Participants
“This is fascinating. I always want to learn more! It’s very pertinent to children and learning.” Sari Bacon, Assistant Principal, HANC West Hempstead
“Very, very helpful and insightful. Great ideas! Great sharing of experiences! Todah Rabah!” Meisha Leibson, Principal Solomon Schechter Nassau County
“Well done – interactive and stimulating. Splitting the group and having more discussion was very effective. Thanks for an enjoyable and growing experience.” Rabbi Gary Menchel, Menahel Yeshiva Har Torah, Bellerose
More Reflections
“I also was reflecting on the fact that much of this remediation that might be required in the Junior High level would be unnecessary if proper teaching with all these techniques would be implemented in the younger grades.”
“I find this course very interesting. Each concept is taught using a variety of activities which are obviously designed to reach all kinds of minds.”
“The group work we did today was meaningful and inspiring.”
