Feedback & Reviews
The Interactive Classroom
27 Siebrecht Place
New Rochelle, NY 10804
T: 914-636-0888
E: astix@optonline.net
Reviews of Training Seminars
» New Rochelle Staff Resource Center
"The strategies were helpful in motivating students. The coaching techniques were helpful in engaging students. The course gave me ideas of how to direct their energy in the right way."
Peggy Younger
"This course provided ideas to better encourage my students to become more proactive learners and to achieve their goals- inside and outside of the classroom."
Andrea Schwach
"I gained ideas to help my students become more creative as well as new ways that helped them work through situations; things they struggle with socially and academically."
Jessica Tassello
"This course helped to improve my communication skills with parents and everyone that I come in contact with on a day to day basis."
Melissa Almonte
» Full Day Training for District #79
"These were very helpful ideas on various forums to engage students. I will use the tips on forming cooperative groups! As a literacy coach, I plan to turnkey this information at a future professional development session. The strategies really can be used in all subject areas."
Tom McKenna, Pacific High School
"This was by far one of the best of any and many programs that I have taken part in."
Marty Flastel, Horizon Academy
"Role-Playing for the GOPER Model of solving problems in cooperative grouping worked well, and was, if anything, the best part of the session."
M. Pilla-Tuvilla, Cascades HS
"Today was a breath of fresh air. I like the idea of learning new strategies. I can incorporate several of these ideas in my classroom."
Brian Murphy, NYCDOE
» Workshop and Weekly Training at Lower East Side Prep High School
"Your workshop was interesting and student centered. It showed accountability for students. It really kept my attention and kept me on my toes!"
Teresa Devore, Lower East Side Prep HS
"I liked the idea of the 3Ps + C. The first P (purpose) is very important, but I didn't implement it before. It made me be aware of that. Thank you for doing professional development with us!"
Min Zhao , Lower East Side Prep HS
"The workshop provided good techniques, which were practical and useful. It reminded me of a lot that I have forgotten. It taught me how to see my teachers and students under a new light."
Rene Anaya, Lower East Side Prep HS
"'Coaching' is the key word. As a teacher who is used to applying the traditional way in the classroom, I could try to change the way in which the students should be the center of learning. The workshop was interactive and interpersonal, and I liked it!"
LuQuan Wang, Lower East Side Prep HS
"This was a very good presentation, especially with the 3Ps+C Model. Some of the materials also broadened the horizon of my teaching job. I definitely benefited from this workshop. The activities were very interesting."
Kwai, Lower East Side Prep HS
"I really liked the on-going authentic assessment of the workshop. It concentrated on the students, not the content. I especially liked the 3P+C Model. In all, give the ball to the students; let them take responsibility!"
Zhansi (Jessie) Chen, Lower East Side Prep HS
» Workshop at United Federation of Teachers, Manhattan
"The technique of looking for students' attributes is extremely beneficial. I feel that I can better arrange my groups by labeling the students by their strengths and talents: manager, creative thinker, problem solver, strategist, motivator, team player."
Rich Martinez, MS172
"I felt frustrated in the past because I wondered could I have positive group dynamics. But now, I feel a great deal of enthusiasm. I am better equipped to work out group arrangements by using profile sorting."
Dorothy Gualtieri, IS231, District 29
"I was able to gain a wealth of ideas to enhance my teaching strategies. The new ideas I've gotten were negotiable contracting and the role of a teacher as coach. I feel more of an acceptance of the workshop model and to create lessons using these strategies."
Elizabeth Seals, District 25, 168Q
"By using this approach, I can incorporate active learning, moving away from teacher directed lessons. I believe it helped to motivate students into effective action. I would like to help our teachers get on board with active learning and to take on the role of 'coach.'"
Nancy Poulos, District 25, JHS168
"I've walked away with having new ideas of active engagement and 'coaching' techniques. I will certainly going to use the Stix Discussion strategy in my classroom."
Richard Schaffer, District 26, MS74
"I look forward to trying the Stix Discussion technique and the different coaching ideas needed to improve cooperative learning. I plan on making workstations from the library materials for all students to share during their research times."
Janice Mazza, District 26, MS158
» Two Credit Course at Edith Winthrope Teacher Center, Hartsdale, NY
"Thank you so much for your dedication to our learning. I have taken away a tremendous amount of knowledge and am trying things everyday in my classroom."
Jeff Hopper, Alice E. Grady Elementary School, Elmsford, NY
"I really enjoyed the active learning aspect of this course as the modeling was the most effective. By coaching a peer in the class, I learned that being aware of the different coaching techniques is key. I had to look for opportunities while coaching a peer and recognize them before the conversations ended. Overall, I think the coaching steps will help me in many personal and professional situations."
Maureen Lindner, Dobbs Ferry High School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
"I want to thank you; it was a great class, well organized and very relevant. By taking this class, I was able to recognize areas that needed to be improved in both my professional and personal life. As I integrate the coaching, I find that I use the strategies better and better with each attempt. It was nice to be coached and then take on an active role as being a coach to someone else."
Francine Covert, Alexander Hamilton High School, Elmsford, NY
"In terms of my own growth, I feel that I am able to talk to people on another level. My conversations are now more thought-provoking. Even though I am not quick to solve someone else's problems by myself, I am now learning how to 'peel the onion' to become aware of what is really troubling a person. I am now able to listen a lot more than when I started this course. All of your classes were interesting and fun."
Drew Watson, Alice E. Grady Elementary School, Elmsford, NY
"Due to this class on coaching in the classroom, I am better able to communicate with people. I find that I'm calmer when teaching. I have learned to shift my focus that suits each individual for their particular circumstance."
Louis Angiolillo, Mount Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon, NY
"With coaching, I have learned not to inject myself and not to push a situation faster than need be. This course definitely helped me to slow down and it opened my ability to have more meaningful discussions."
Katie Gardner, PS91, Region #1, NYC
» Two Day Workshop at Queens Academy, Jamaica, NY
"Both presenters were excellent. Overall, the workshop had interesting and engaging teaching strategies for teachers."
Saji James, Queens Academy
"The strategies were excellent and allowed students to participate in the learning process. The strategies abilities to create discussion about leadership helps the students begin to look at their own opinions as well as others. Having student take on the perspective of others helps to bring them to a higher level of thinking. I would recommend this class to others because it has a variety of strategies which can be utilized to get students involved with the content, thereby facilitating learning. The instructors were knowledgeable and the materials were practical."
Darryle Cook, Queens Academy
"It was a worthwhile training session. I enjoyed the mix of the day - moving from strategies in the content areas to general coaching strategies. The strategies were applicable to many topics. It was a lot of fun and well organized."
Sara DiBenedetto, Queens Academy
"Many times we wish we had a magic answer or solution. With laser coaching, we can get through tough situations. I can use these strategies and work with them in my classroom. It gives students a chance to share their opinions at the same time learn a few skills for themselves. I enjoyed this course and learned a lot. I know I have something to start the next year with, so thank you!"
Myrtha St.Juste, Queens Academy
"This workshop was excellent! I learned different strategies that can be used with the students. It was very well organized. I really liked the fact that our group was small and personal. Many of the strategies I could see the students being excited and willing to participate. This methodology helps students to be more active and engaged in the lesson. I will use them in my classroom."
Paula Rosa-Gerstein, Queens Academy
"This course offered good strategies to use for teaching how to cooperate and in negotiating. It stimulates critical thinking. It also offers interesting and engaging methods that allows the teacher to hold students' attention."
Abbu Hinckson-Martin, Queens Academy
