EDUCATORS | STUDENTS
EDUCATORS
“The rewards of Keystone are immeasurable for both teacher and students, and I will never again set foot in any classroom without it!”
Deborah West, Kindergarten Teacher
“I visit all classrooms and have noticed a marked improvement in behavior across the campus because of Keystone.”
Barbara Bryant, Elementary School Counselor
“Keystone has helped us create an extremely friendly campus. Even though 80% of our students are free and reduced lunch qualified, we still earned an ‘exemplary’ rating for our TAAS scores, improving from a ‘recognized’ rating last year. Keystone definitely played a role in our accomplishment. More kids want to come to school and they are more polite, respectful, and well-behaved. We have had fewer serious discipline problems and more kids feel safe in school. Parents are noticing the changes in the kids and I am constantly hearing positive things from them. Keystone has been a huge part of these changes. I can feel the kinder atmosphere when I walk down the halls.”
Janet George, Elementary School Principal
“Wow-where to start! I have several 5th grade boys who had behavior problems last year, especially on the playground. This year they have had only a couple of infractions. The whole class is very respectful to one another. The few substitutes I’ve had love my class and my student teacher can’t believe how nice they are. When we had the earthquake here in Washington many of my students were upset and crying. I noticed one of my boys reaching over and patting the shoulder of the girl next to him who was crying, comforting her and telling her it would be all right. This is not a normal 5th grade trait from a boy-it was a Hallmark moment!”
Sue Neil, 5th Grade Teacher
“My students monitor each other now using the vocabulary they learned from Keystone. If someone is ‘out of line’ a classmate will say to them ‘respect’ or ‘kindness.’ That’s usually all it takes.”
Terri Rodriguez, Kindergarten Teacher
“I have noticed my students helping each other more. Just yesterday a student dropped her supply box and things went everywhere. About 10 of my students stopped what they were doing to help her. Things like this happen daily in my classroom.”
Kelly Thomas, 3rd Grade Teacher
“My class has experienced several teacher changes this year. We used Keystone lessons and principles to adjust and re-adjust. My students begged to have Keystone time.”
Rachel Erlund, 4th Grade Teacher
“It has been great listening to students tell one another be kind, let’s talk it over, be in control, or just being quick to say I’m sorry. It has helped to make them be more sensitive to others’ needs.”
Sue Futterer, Kindergarten Teacher
“Keystone has the capability of being a life-changing experience. The Keystone principles apply to life situations. The benefits can be felt at home with family members as well as in the classroom. A very positive program!”
Anne Seidensticker, 2nd Grade Teacher
“I can even see in my own children, who are enrolled in kindergarten, an enhanced awareness of concepts such as honesty, kindness, and respect. It has really made an impression on them.”
Ann Lightfoot, 4th Grade Teacher
“I noticed my students being more aware of how kind they were behaving after learning the Keystone lessons. They would help each other more, allow others ahead of them, and be more sensitive in their actions.”
Juanita Escobar, 3rd Grade Teacher
“I have a success story about Keystone. One of my students was behind in work on the computer and told me that she had finished her computer work. I knew that another student had done the work for her. We had a class meeting and talked about honesty and helping our friends. We discussed what could have been done instead of doing the work for a friend. After class the student came to me and told me she had done the work for her friend.”
Rebecca Ply, 4th Grade Teacher
“Keystone has not only helped in the school setting but it has also helped me with my family. As I communicate with my own children I try to keep the Keystone principles in my mind and heart.”
Carole Blanton, 1st Grade Teacher
“I have always placed importance on my class being a school family and that we take care of each other. The Keystone curriculum helps me build on this with the stories and activities. This program helps teachers who have problems with classroom management.”
Jane Strong, 2nd Grade Teacher
“The kids frequently come in on Monday mornings talking about how they utilized what they’ve learned from Keystone to make good decisions in sticky situations.”
Shelley Niezgoda, 4th Grade Teacher
“When I saw the Keystone curriculum in other schools, I was very impressed with the thoughts and ideas that the students shared. In my own classroom, I feel that Keystone has helped me and my students get to know each other better. Keystone teaches students life-long skills that help them in relationships, and my students have enjoyed learning these skills.”
Karen Rabe, 2nd Grade Teacher
“Keystone has definitely touched the lives of my students in more ways than one! As I was wondering what to write in response to your survey, I heard one of my students speak directly to my student teacher: ‘Mrs. Cuellar, you forgot to list loyalty as one of the Keystone principles.’ He stated that so matter of factly! As I scrolled down the list of principles that she had listed on the board, I was amazed to see that loyalty had been left off by mistake and he recognized it immediately! I thought that for a second grader the principles must have truly touched the heart of this student. I was so elated that he could name them all by heart. This truly captured his heart and mine to realize that this curriculum was embedded inside of a seven-year-old boy. I know and believe that Keystone is going to be part of a healing process that will spread throughout our entire district if used by all teachers in all grade levels. I feel strongly that we have needed a program that would touch broken hearts no matter what the age is. I truly love Keystone and feel that the training I received from Dalbert Galloway somehow changed my own heart in realizing that our kids can overcome adversities daily by having others truly touch their lives by giving them personal support. I also feel that this program will touch hearts in ways that some of use may never know!”
Loretta Givens, 2nd Grade Teacher
STUDENTS
“Keystone is a good thing because we learn how to respect others when they are talking. Also we don’t make fun of people when they are different from others.” Markisha (4th grade)
“It made my attitude better. Now that my attitude is better I don’t get into trouble. Because of Keystone I have more friends and I don’t talk back to my siblings a lot anymore. Now I am a better person.” Kristina (4th grade)
“I learned to be quiet when my teacher is talking.” Chris (1st grade)
“It teaches you important things like diligence, kindness, courage, self-control, forgiveness, respect, loyalty, honesty, confidence. That is why I like it.” Jake (4th grade)
“I think Keystone brought the class closer together. Now we’re like a family.” Justin (4th grade)
“I learned not to lie, learned to trust, and learned that fighting is not the answer to anything.” Valerie (4th grade)
“I think Keystone makes students believe in themselves.” Michelle (2nd grade)
“I’m really glad that we have Keystone because if we didn’t I’d be disobeying my mom and dad and teacher. I love Keystone because it helps me to be kind.” Melody (2nd grade)
“Keystone helped me realize that I should always be honest and not be selfish, and I shouldn’t judge people on just how they look and I should try to put myself in other people’s shoes once in a while and that I should realize that I don’t have the worst life. There are people that are less fortunate than me.” Zach (3rd grade)
“Keystone has helped me control my temper and concentrate on school and be friendly to other kids. Keystone is great for everyone.” Nathan (4th grade)
“I used to be really shy but when I learned about courage I forgot my shyness.” Lauren (4th grade)
“Keystone helps me be nice to my sister even though she is mean to me. Thank you Keystone and I think every school should have Keystone so that the bullies will stop being mean. It gave me confidence to work harder and to get along with people and it made me do my best on work.” Sara (3rd grade)
“I think it helps us listen to our teacher better.” Matthew (2nd grade)
“Keystone has helped me make more friends and I know how to control my temper now.” Kaitlin (4th grade)
“When I did not know about Keystone I used to fight with kids because of little things. Now I think I’ve changed a lot because of Keystone.” Michael (3rd grade)
“Keystone was helpful to me because before in my old school I would get in trouble all the time for talking but now I don’t anymore.” Laura (4th grade)
“I learned to respect others and to help if they drop their books and other stuff. I will use diligence. And I will follow directions the first time given and be quiet when the teacher says so.” Adriana (3rd grade)
“Keystone helped me learn more self-control when I have to wait a long time.” Hunter (kindergarten)
“My favorite thing about Keystone is the stories because they help me think about what I should do in a situation like that.” Matt (5th grade)
“It’s fun and it teaches you. It’s better than sitting there listening to someone say, ‘You should be nice and…’ That makes me go to sleep! Keystone makes me listen every time! Whenever our teacher stops reading we say, ‘Aw, man! Please a few more pages!’ I could read or listen to Keystone all day, all year, all decade, etc.” Chelsea (3rd grade)
“Keystone has helped me improve my relationships with my friends. I always think twice about lying now. Thank you Keystone.” Dustin (4th grade)
“I like Keystone because it helps me solve my problems when I have trouble with classmates. It helped me to be more honest to my mom and dad. I think you should get Keystone.” Garrett (4th grade)
“Keystone helped me to stop yelling without raising my hand.” Alex (4th grade)
“It helps you learn about your mistakes and how to stop it from happening again.” Aaron (4th grade)
“I worked out a problem with my friends. My friend called me and Audrey names. We worked that out and we hugged each other. And that’s how we worked out a problem.” Maritza (2nd grade)
“Keystone is my favorite subject.” Dezirey (2nd grade)
