Results, Relationships, Responsibility!

Thank you so much for allowing our Pinewoods’ teams to go through Choosing Excellence training.  All three teams have been so excited about their experiences, and I’m seeing teachers returning to school, implementing several of the ideas they have learned.  This is so fantastic!!  I appreciate the amazing job that you and Cindy do with the teams.  This training has really helped us along our Quality journey.

On a related note, I wanted to see if you have any more dates available for more Pinewoods teams to attend? If so, I’d love to send another team.  If not, I totally understand.  Just thought I’d check…

Thanks again for all of your support.  You are THE BEST!

Dr. Denise M. Carlin, Principal

Pinewoods Elementary School

Estero, FL

January, 2010

Bob

You are unbelievable!   You held our attention for 3 solid days with your wit, humor, personal stories, common sense, and insight.  You gave us strategies that we were able to take back to our school and put into effect right off the bat - and with tremendous results.  Choosing Excellence is a sound and logical method of improving a school's performance.  It would behoove every school district across the country to implement this program in every school.

Bob Scallan, Assistant Principal

Bonita Springs Middle School

Lee County, FL

May 5th, 2009

I could not have attended a better workshop! It was perfect for me to apply the information in my personal life and my professional life.  I will be continuing my work in Choice Theory for certification.   The workbook, resources, and strategies are all very user friendly.  If something wasn’t clear or a student needed clarification on an issue, Bob provided excellent explanations and discussions

I must say that in any learning environment, the teacher makes all the difference.  Bob has an immense understanding of Glasser’s philosophies and his ability to disseminate the information is incredible.  Learning and fun should go hand in hand.  Bob’s ability to connect with his group, his sense of humor, and experience put our group to ease and we were open and receptive to working through the questioning process in a safe, non-threatening environment.

Bob was able to take Glasser’s chart on how the brain works and explain the concept in a way that we all were able to clearly see and understand and apply the information presented 

I left the Basic Intensive Week inspired and excited to continue the process of learning this material. I can’t wait to begin the basic practicum work

Thank you Bob!

Sharlene McLeod

Sacramento, CA

July 17th, 2009

This Training was above and beyond my expectations!   It was such a safe learning environment as I could be myself, make mistakes, and learn from them without feeling “bad”. The material was presented in a clear way so that I could understand and apply all of it to my life which is an extraordinary achievement for a teacher to accomplish!..  Thank You so very much for this opportunity!  

Rita Harken

Chandler, AZ

July 17th, 2009

I have been trying to attend this training for the past three years, I say it was worth the wait. Mr. Hoglund did an amazing job. I sure would like to continue with the classes and other program that are offered. I would highly recommend this instructor and program to others.  Thank you again.

Jerome Towne

Chinle, AZ

July 17th, 2009

“Bob's sons were my students during the first and second year of my teaching career... almost 20 years ago. He was the perfect parent to encounter as a new teacher because he helped me identify strategies that were supporting student learning and those that were holding my students back - without me feeling intimidated. Right away, I was eager to formally learn about Quality Schools and Reality Therapy. I participated in the first two levels of training that Bob offered back then and I can still remember being amazed at the immediate difference it made for me in the way I communicated with students and parents, structured & delivered my lessons, and managed grades/reporting. Just a few years later, I was one of the youngest teachers promoted to an Assistant Principal position. My classroom and administrative success is due in large part to the outstanding lessons I learned from Bob. I am forever grateful to Bob and I highly recommend him.” April 26, 2008

Karen Nowicki

Life Coach

A Peaceful Integration, PLC

Tempe, AZ

I am pleased to be able to write a recommendation for Bob Hoglund, Senior Faculty at The William Glasser Institute. In my opinion Bob is an outstanding, caring person with extraordinary knowledge and skill in managing all areas of human relations. He has demonstrated these skills with me through his continued successful coaching. As my coach, he has clarified and personalized content, helped me examine learning and professional situations and deal more effectively with them. I owe my new success in several areas to his direct involvement. Based on my time working with Bob, I recommend him very highly for teaching, counseling and coaching. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with an excellent teacher with practical experience and superior communication skills.     April 30, 2008

Lyn Armstrong

Terrebonne Properties LLC

Redmond, Or

“Bob is outstanding at commitment to teachers and their ability to improve teaching strategies in the classroom. He teaches awareness of data collection and how to make learning fun. Specifically, Bob worked with my classroom of 2nd graders last year. He opened their world up by allowing them to share a small piece of themselves and their home situations. My classroom dynamics' has changed to a more positive and caring environment because of Bob's knowledge and willingness to allow students to share and care about themselves to each other openly. Discipline problems dissipate when students know and respect one another as individuals. I will continue to utilize "the classroom meeting' because it really works!!! "Thank you!" Bob. "You are truly a unique contributor to educators."   April 25, 2008

Sidonia Todd

Tanglewood-Riverside Elementary

Fort Myers, FL

“Bob Hoglund understands teachers and understands people. He knows how to train them, how to work with them, and most importantly, how to give them relevant and useful knowledge that can help transform their classrooms or their environments. In addition, he has a wealth of knowledge that he provides in his workshops so that everyone can be successful in their careers when the training is completed. Plus, his workshops are fun! I can't remember a time where I laughed so hard while learning. Bob will go above and beyond expectations in any setting for anyone.” April 24, 2008

Paul Becker

Brevard County, FL

Gilbert, AZ

I just attended a class in Fort Myers, FL on Choosing Excellence presented by Bob Hoglund and Cindy McClung.  This was the most interesting and useful seminar I have attended in years.  I am able to use the information I learned in the class and apply it in my classroom.  The student correction process is EXCELLENT, and I can’t wait to start implementing his strategies in my room.  I am excited to have the children answer the total behavior questions and come to  the realization that this behavior is not effective.  I would love to attend another seminar by Bob Hoglund on how to motivate and correct student behaviors.  Again, this was an excellent and useful seminar that gave Lee County an edge in promoting student excellence.   January, 2008

Tracy Epstein

J. Colin English Elementary

Fort Myers, FL

"I just wanted you to know I was happy to see you conduct a class meeting with my class at Tanglewood Elementary.  I have been using class meetings since you left..  Finally we have time and it has made a difference in how the students treat one another.  They constantly ask me “When do we get to share about ourselves?”  I end each session with students telling what they like about a person in our group who is NOT their friend.  Thank you for helping me add another positive part to my teaching day."

Sid Todd

2nd Grade Teacher

Tanglewood Elementary

Fort Myers, FL

   "The training exceeded my expectations - which were high to begin with."  Bob Hoglund is the kind of      

   trainer who checks for understanding and satisfaction as he goes.  This ensures no "holes" in the foundation

   that each trainee builds on which to base their own practices.  The practice sessions gave me much

  appreciated feedback,  something I have not received in the past 24 years!  (He is a great role model!)

Susan Shoemaker

The School District of Lee County

Fort Myers, FL (2007)

"Just a few words to say thank you for visiting AVEDA.  Your presentations made the WGI Conference a high quality day for all of us.  It was true fun (we all learned something) and most appreciated."

Bob Eriksson

Vice President

AVEDA

"I really enjoyed your presentation!" 

William Glasser, M.D. at the International Conference in NYC, July 2006.

"This (Basic Intensive Week) gave me practical advice on how to make my classroom more based on student choice and responsibility.  Not just 'pie-in-the-sky' theory."         

Marc Andres  

Mountain View Academy (CA)  (2005)

“I believe that you bring a practical approach to quality that helps educators believe it’s possible to achieve…If quality is going to work in schools, it will take trainers like you who know the answers to legitimate questions about implementing quality. 

You are the right person for this worthwhile task!”

Charlie Vass

Assistant Superintendent,

Socorro ISD

El Paso, TX

"Reality Therapy (which I learned from Bob Hoglund) is, by far, the most effective tool that I developed and used in my 35 years of dealing with kids in public education."          

Dave Geiss  1994 PA School Counselor Association Elementary Counselor of the Year (2005)

"It is with sincere pleasure that I share with you my outstanding learning experience with Bob Hoglund. Bob is a multi-dimensional educator who will share with you how to connect quality curriculum delivery with your personal philosophy, and your school district's philosophy, while incorporating how to create an atmosphere of "caring" for every child. Bob makes each staff member in your school district feel that they are the focal point of the teaching and learning process."

Steve Faculak

Carman-Ainsworth School District

Flint, MI

In the early 90’s I had the opportunity to have my eyes opened just a little by Bob Hoglund, a trainer at that time for Bill Glasser’s Quality Schools Program.  I, along with a number of district administrators and staff, were in a basic week of training that introduced us to the tenets of Glasser: the basic needs of all people (survival, fun, freedom, belonging, power), the Quality World in everyone’s mindset, Control Theory and Reality Therapy.

During one of Bob’s sessions on Reality Therapy, or “RT” as most of us called it, Bob engaged me in a discussion of a process that I was exceptionally proud of, the Placer High School Detention System. As a vice-principal, I had designed a system that involved getting the cooperation of staff (no small feat) as well as “sending a message” that tardiness would not be a part of the school day for staff and students. Tardy students would serve detention after school under the supervision of a paid staff member. During that detention time students could not talk or fraternize. They could work or sleep. If a student failed to show up for detention, he or she would be suspended. I was exceptionally proud of that system because on paper it sparkled and the staff’s perception was that administration was finally supporting them.

I had chronicled all of this in exquisite detail to Bob when Bob asked what I thought was a meaningless, silly question: “Is it working?”

“Is it working?” I chortled in disbelief. “Sure it is. The kids don’t dare challenge it. The teachers think it’s great.”

“No,” Bob replied, “I mean is it working? Have the numbers of tardy students decreased?”

Well, I’ve only had that sense of emptiness in me two other times in my life, both of which shall stay unknown, but I had to struggle to say what I knew was the truth, “Well, Bob, no, but the….”

Before I could finish, Bob replied, “Then why would you do it?  Why would you do what isn’t working?”

Sometimes it takes an outside observer to create those small epiphanies that prompt you to change. I knew that my system was built upon pulling the wings off flies. I eventually came to know that I didn’t want to model that to my staff. During my six year tenure as high school principal, I eliminated detention and off-campus suspension. I asked/demanded that teachers work with students on tardy problems and other problems that might lead to suspension. It was essentially a 180 degree turn, but one that led me to seeing students and staff as people who should be engaged in creating a supportive environment where quality work could be produced rather than devoting their energies to creating and living in systems that don’t champion quality relationships or work.

Tom Johnson,

Placer Union High School District

Auburn, CA

I wanted you to know how Bob Hoglund has helped our school district to support students' achievement, their capacity to make meaningful choices and increase their responsibility. Over a four-year period, Bob conducted a series of three-day Educating for Responsibility and Quality™ workshops for our entire faculty.  Our District called the program "Responsibility Training".  After the whole district completed the training, many of our teachers have said that the District had never been so aligned philosophically.

All of our schools have received the National Blue Ribbon School Award and the High School has been a recipient two times as well as recognized as a New American High School.

Bob's support, with the principles and practices of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (Educating for Responsibility and Quality™ ), provide our District with a common language and purpose.  He has helped to make a real difference in how we think about and plan for instruction and interact with one another as we continually work to create a community of learners.

Bob has the unique ability to help educators move "Improving Results. Improving Relationships!" and "make connections" between the various programs we implement:  Choice Theory, Responsibility Training, cooperative learning, Standards, Differentiated Instruction, etc.  

He is helping to ensure continuity of practices by working closely with teacher leaders to build a training-of-trainers professional development model.

Shelley Beck

Secondary Curriculum/Staff Development

Pittsburgh, PA

I thoroughly enjoyed my four days of learning and especially enjoyed your presentation and involvement methods--they work VERY well for adult learners!

Although my mind was on MANY administrative issues related to getting the school year started, your instruction helped me also keep focus on what I am truly here for--our students. THANK YOU VERY MUCH  FOR HELPING ME TO BE A BETTER EDUCATOR/ADMINISTRATOR!

David Storey

Principal

Swartz-Creek, MI

“Before the four-day Intensive Week with Bob Hoglund, I had perceived this program as just another “feel good” classroom approach with no basis in the realities of public school teaching - especially eighth graders!  My doubts were eliminated.  I found a workable, empowering approach to both learning and classroom discipline.  It showed me how to help get my students off of ‘automatic pilot’ and making choices they have to enrich their lives.  I have seen it build true achievement and self-respect, rather than false ‘self-esteem’.  If it is effective with middle school students, it can be effective ANYWHERE.

Leslie Rush

8^th grade teacher

Slider Middle School

El Paso, TX

“After attending the Educating for Responsibility and Quality™ workshop, I feel strongly that these concepts are the most valuable tools that I can have as a teacher."

Norb Kelly

Teacher,

Vernal Elementary School

Vernal, UT

“Bob Hoglund workshops engage you as a learner and encourage you to explore issues.  They empower educators with practical tools they can use to make a difference in their classroom and school”

Linda Lavery,

Lead Teacher

Chicago, IL

Thanks for a tremendous workshop.  We have been hearing nothing but raves.  You have such incredible insights and are so knowledgeable about your work that you have a rare ability to think on your feet and adjust your presentation without losing the essential message.

Ron Korenich,

Director of Elementary Curriculum,

Fox Chapel Area School District

Pittsburgh, PA