Critical Friends Groups

“This week has been super! It has provided me with insightful reflection, useful protocols, team-building experientials, collaborating and sharing opportunities, and possibilities for connecting to others on my staff, [in] my school, [in] my family and [with] myself. Thank you!”

Ally Ballard-Triptow – Principal
El Sereno Elementary, Los Angeles USD

“I always find programs from [UCLA SMP] to provide an important avenue for my own professional growth. Critical Friends was probably the best training I have ever attended on ways to look intensively at student work and at instructional practice. I believe that CFG work is probably one of the strongest tools for changing instructional practice and improving student achievement.”

Sandra Carter – Principal
Glassell Park Elementary, Los Angeles USD

“Every bit of it was valuable; every presentation, every experience led to another understanding, another insight. Thank you!”

Marlys James-Jolly – Teacher
Roosevelt Middle, Glendale USD

“The experience was insightful and valuable. I learned volumes about leadership! I am excited about all the possibilities ahead of me.”

Linda Karst – Teacher
Ben Lomond Elementary, Covina Valley USD

“I am so happy that I volunteered to do CFG. In all my years of teaching and education (schooling), I have never felt so strongly about a powerful, positive, useful training as I have felt about CFG. The trainers were marvelous: so powerful, so knowledgeable, so positive, so human! This is a tool that I hope to use forever! Thank you so much!”

Donna Scaltrito - Teacher
Center Street Elementary, El Segundo USD

Bridges to Understanding

“Thank you for the meaningful and productive sessions. The networking was great.”

Daniela Linova – RSP
El Sereno Middle, Los Angeles USD

“This conference was fantastic - so helpful. I feel like the activities we learned will really work, and doing the exercises ourselves was effective because we could see [their] applicability to my class.”

Kirby VanAnburgh - Teacher
Community Harvest Charter School, Los Angeles USD

“One of the best trainings / seminars that I have attended. Very practical and simple ideas that can be implemented that will have a HUGE impact on my ELL’s.”

Jessica Miles - Teacher
Gauer Elementary, Anaheim City SD

“This was fantastic! I can use everything in my classroom!”

Kelli Wagstaff - Teacher
Fremont Elementary, Santa Ana USD

“I really appreciate all the materials given out. The leaders were all great, knowledgeable, and helpful!”

Jan Aptaker – Teacher
Melrose Elementary, Los Angeles USD