ENDORSEMENTS
AND RECOMMENDATIONSENDORSEMENTS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Thank-you for "walking-the-talk"... Your modeling with "genuine" examples set the tone for my learning & confirmed what I am doing with children & my other learners...my staff. Thanks for sharing your expertise and life experiences with Westside. Hope to re-connect soon! With all due respect & admiration,
Jim Otto, Principal, April 2008
Paddock Road Elementary
Omaha, Nebraska
Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation on Friday about “Teaching Students who Don’t Look Like You.” The information was wonderful and I would really like to use parts from your powerpoint along with the workbook at the English Professional Development meeting . . . I am so excited about sharing your information. (P.S. I was your reader on Friday. I read, “A Day in Dorothy’s Life.”)
I read over the notes from the powerpoint and I have been reading
from both your workbooks and I have added a lot from what I have learned into
department meetings and professional developments. I am proud to report that
during a last Tuesday's ELA professional development meeting I began a
conversation about culture and ethnicity and how these areas translate into the
adult faculty here at Fremont and the teachers were very open and honest about
their thoughts and feelings about these areas. As a result, several department
members left lots of positive feedback about the conversation and asked to
continue the conversation at future PD's and to eventually open up the
conversation school-wide. I just wanted to thank you for supplying me with the
information that made this conversation possible. I am so happy to have met
you.
Kenya Marshall-Harper, April 2008
Los Angeles Unified School District
Your work around teaching children/students who don’t look like the teacher/administration is so relevant where I live now, as Toronto is very diverse, but arguably quite divided . . . in Toronto the topic of education is a very heated one right now . . . Looking forward to hearing from you and learning more.
Jennifer Duncan, March 2008
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I have been a part of your sessions for years and have enjoyed each one! Keep up the work!
Gloria Henry, March 2008
District Instructional Coach: Secondary
District Professional Development Chair
Central Office, Kansas City, Missouri
I so enjoyed the session you presented at the NSDC meeting in Dallas this past December.
Karen Powell, Assistant Principal, March 2008
Story Elementary
Allen, Texas
Your work with us on Understanding Poverty was some of the most powerful professional development that I’ve ever encountered. It complemented the work of Dr. Bertha Richardson on dismantling racism. As I move into my position of central office administration next year, I must thank you for your warm, caring approach to opening the minds and hearts of educators. You have had a positive and wonderful impact on my relationships with students and colleagues!
Kim Harris, March 2008
St. Charles, Missouri
Thank you, Bonnie! I can't wait to share some insights with my
staff tomorrow at our staff meeting. Thanks for making me think inward so I can
change what I do outward!! I'm looking forward to the newsletters!!
Laura L. Croom, Principal, March 2008
Swanson Elementary
Omaha, Nebraska
Bonnie . . . I continue to be an admirer of your thoughts and deeds!
Pickett Pat Lema, Ed.D., March 2008
Communication Arts/Social Studies/ELL Coordinator
Pattonville School District
St. Ann, Missouri
Thank you so much for your insight, humor and boldness today. We all walked away with new lenses and new ideas from your presentation this morning. Fate was on our side when we connected and set up your keynote presentation. It was all that we expected and more. On behalf of the Dominion Cluster Principals and teachers, we say BRAVO to you.
Angie Robinson, August 23, 2007
Principal, Sugarland Elementary School
Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia
From a courageous teacher of teachers comes the real stuff that shows White teachers, and everyone else for that matter, how to effectively meet the needs of underserved student of color populations. Thank you, Bonnie!
Glenn Singleton
Executive Director, Pacific Educational Group, San Francisco
Author of “Courageous Conversations”
Dr. Davis’ book illustrates the cultural competencies that educators need to understand when trying to reduce the achievement gap.
Dr. Charles I. Rankin
Executive Director
Midwest Equity Center
Wow! Finally, a resource that helps teachers reflect personally and translate that learning into classroom strategies that will move us to eliminating the achievement gap!
Dr. Cheryl Compton
Assistant Superintendent., St. Charles School District
Bonnie Davis was instrumental in structuring the MA in Diverse Learners for Fontbonne University. Her sensitivity to all aspects of diversity is without peer, and we were fortunate to have her mentor us through the design process. We look forward to the use of her book in this program.
Dr. William Freeman
Dean of Education
Fontbonne University
The examples in this book are wonderful. I obtained a lot of ideas that I can share with pre-service and in-service teachers as well as administrators. Reading this book will give educators the opportunity to gather information, reflect, and see ways to change their classrooms to reach all learners.
Dr. Rosalind P. Hale
Professor, Division of Education
Xavier University of Louisiana
This book shows teachers and administrators exactly how the knowledge that has been gathered by the research on diverse learners can be put to use in their classrooms and schools.
Dr. Mariela Nunez-Janes
Co-Director, Ethnic Studies
University of North Texas
Dr.
Davis’ book guides the reader through a personal reflection process that leads
to a deeper understanding of the role of culture in teaching and learning. The
workbook creates a format for educators to examine their environment, beliefs,
and practices as they search for ways to help all students in their
classes achieve academically.
Dr.
Sandra Anderson
Instructional Specialist
Missouri Migrant Education and English Language Learning Program
The focus of the author is on BUILDING—building relationships, building community, and a school culture to welcome diverse learners, and building a balanced literacy classroom through reading and writing workshops. These building blocks create a supportive learning environment. Then, the author’s understanding and respect for students of varying abilities and diverse backgrounds are reflected in a wealth of practical and appropriate instructional strategies designed to motivate and challenge all readers and writers—whether they be eager or reluctant.
Lola Mapes
Retired Elementary Teacher
Consultant, Des Moines, Iowa
Your presentation, 'Closing the Achievement Gap,' was an eye opening experience for our district administrators. Finding a speaker who is dynamic and thought provoking when speaking on diversity is a rare find. I truly thank you for preparing and leading us in the right direction.
Dr. Winston C. Brooks
Superintendent, Wichita Public Schools
The Missouri State Teachers Association's 42,000 members thank you for your contribution in making our 2003 State Convention a success. It is a pleasure to work with presenters, such as yourself, who exhibit their genuine concern for assisting educators in furthering their professional development and knowledge base.
Cindy Whitaker
Director of Education
MSTA: Missouri State Teachers Association
On behalf of the staff at Berkeley Middle School, I would like to thank you for opening the door to our new school year. Without your direction, your guiding hand, I am afraid that we would not have been prepared for the challenge that was before us. Thank you for helping me prepare my faculty to educate, to teach, and to think.
Winston Rogers
Principal, Berkeley Middle School
Ferguson-Florissant School District, St. Louis County, MO
I want to thank you for a very enlightening three days. It changed how I view people, and I know it will help me interact more effectively with my students. Thank you for your dedication and for sharing your journey with me.
Susan Easter
Clark Elementary, Webster Groves School District
I want to thank you for an enjoyable and enlightening afternoon. I am looking forward to sitting down and diving into your book.
Janine Stroemer
Rich Central High School
Olympia Fields, IL
As a . . . principal who works with staff development, I was amazed as Bonnie molded twelve teachers from five departments into an open, reflective, learning group.
David Faulkner
Principal, Brentwood High School
Ladue School District, St. Louis County, MO
Yesterday, our entire administrative team participated in a day-long work session facilitated by Dr. Bonnie Davis. Dr. Davis is a well known author/educator and recognized expert in the area of diversity awareness and student achievement. Bonnie did an excellent job of giving our group specific strategies for enhancing student achievement and it was the clear consensus that our time spent was very productive!
Dr. Brent Underwood, Superintendent
Webster Groves School District, St. Louis County, MO
On behalf of the Midwest Center for Charter Schools and Urban Education I would like to thank you for your presentation at the CMSU Charter School In-Service Workshop on August 18, 2003. From all comments, the workshop was a success. Your keynote, 'Reducing the Achievement Gap,' and the breakout session, "Working with Urban Students of Poverty," greatly contributed to the success of the day.
Dr. Doug Thomas, Director
Central Missouri State University
Dr. Davis,
Your workshop has given me inspiration and motivation to go above and beyond with my students and to delve further into the different cultures in my classroom - primarily African American . . . I went into my classroom with my new lens and really saw for the first time why some of these students misbehave and maintain low achievement.
My principal was so interested in the program that he discussed it with the Central Office during an Admin. meeting. They want me to e-mail them and give them more information. Thank you so much for giving an outstanding workshop. I don't usually get too excited about workshops but yours has been the best by far!! I look forward to seeing you in November.
Martha Evans, Sikeston, Missouri, R-VI School District
