Testimonials and Letters

• Thanks from Anne at Region 9 Education Center
• Comment from anonymous in Garland ISD
• Comment from McAuliffe Elementary Principal
• Comment about presentation to retired superintendents
• Email from Nancy Alana
• An email from teacher Julie
• An email from Tina May
• An email from Tim Fogarty, Teacher
• A l etter from Judy Thompson, Assistant Superintendent
• A letter from Charles C. Butt, HEB President
• A letter from LaTrese Adkins, Ph.D.
• An email from teacher Tim

I want to personally thank you for your work on behalf of Texas public schools. Your advocacy on behalf of children and educators across this state is so greatly appreciated.

With gratitude,
Anne Poplin,
Executive Director Region 9 Education Service Center

A letter forwarded from a woman in Garland ISD:

I just wanted to let you know your friend was awesome this morning.  I have to tell you this is the best I have ever seen this group of teachers listen to a speaker.  There were a lot of nods of agreement and you could hear people agreeing with a lot of what she said.  Mindy managed to speak to her, but I was too busy winning a door prize.
Anyway, please let her know we really enjoyed her presentation, and a lot of people were saying how it would have been much better to have had her speaking to all of us on Tuesday rather than what we had.  People were really pumped up about what she said...and getting this group to respond that way is no small feat.

See you at school!

Anonymous, Garland ISD

Hey Scott.

...I just wanted to tell you that last night we had a launch party here at McAuliffe to celebrate the space shuttle launch. There were around 250 people here to watch Christa McAuliffe's friend and back-up finally get to go into space. It was very fun - Rocketpop popsicles and popcorn. We even gave away a few Blast Off to Earth and I Want to be an Astronaut books. You would have been proud. Your "Celebrating Christa's Dream" slogan was on one of the signs. I think it was definitely an evening of celebrating her dream, and you, along with Friends of Texas Public Schools, were very instrumental in beginning that effort. I just wanted you to know that we are continuing what you started and supported. I think you would have been pleased last night. Thanks again for all that you do for Texas Schools. Support from people and organizations makes an incredible difference. Thank you!

Jennifer Mattingly
McAuliffe Elementary Principal
Highland Village, Texas

Scott,

We want you to know how much you are appreciated by Texas Public Schools. Your presentation today was informative and "right on target". It is wonderful to hear someone who acknowledges the outstanding work and progress being made on behalf of our children.

SHW's willingness to share you with us and other Texas Public School enthusiasts is most appreciated. We know SHW supports our school children across the state and all of our efforts towards constant improvement.

Please let us know if we may ever be of assistance to you in your endeavors to spread the "good word" about Texas Public Schools. May we also ask that you share this e-mail with those in SHW who might have an interest. We want everyone in the firm to know how much we appreciate you.

Sincerely,
Hal Guthrie
Betty Baitland
Rick Schneider

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! You are doing what I have wanted to do since H. Ross Periot started bashing our profession. I appreciate you supporting public schools and helping to let the general public know that wonderful things are happening in our schools daily. Keep up the good work!

- Nancy Alana

A comment from a teacher who received a "thank you" letter:

I want to thank Charlie Fern for her kind comments about me. I also appreciate her and Scott Milder and others who are instrumental in creating Friends of Texas Public Schools. In a sense, we all learn from everyone. I have learned much from various people, including my college friends such as Charlie. I continue to learn from those around. I definitely learn from my students; I learn who I am and who I want to be. We learn daily -- and when we say we can't learn anymore or don't have anything to learn, then we are either lying to ourselves or we're dead.

Thanks again, Charlie.

Julie

When I read Charlene Fern's letter to the Washington Post editor re Jay Mathew's article I nearly fell out of my chair. It's accurate. It's balanced. It's positive! Thank you for saying what is so rarely said for Public Schools - and so very rarely here in DC. Now that I've found your example, I hope to work more in the same way for DC's students, teachers and administrators. Thanks again.

Tina May

"Thanks, I needed that."

I have felt this several times reading the articles from the "Friends" email. I realized that although I have felt the appreciation to your organization for the work you are doing, I haven't let you know that.

The entire purpose of this email is to say thank you for what you are doing. I plan to teach nine or ten more years but I find there are times when I think maybe one or two more instead. This is usually when I feel beat down by media reports, conservative talk shows, and negative people in general.

Again - Thank you for the other side of the issue!
Tim Fogarty

Hi, Scott,

I attended the Back to School pep rally tonight. It was awesome!! What
you and your wife have accomplished is phenomenal! My daughter (who is
also a teacher) and I attended together. We were both reminded of why we
are educators! What glorious talent reflected in all the students who
performed. It just made us sad that all educators in the surrounding
districts were not present. They missed a remarkable event. Thank you so
much for all you have done and will continue to do. Educators in Texas
are so blessed to have someone like you and your wife proclaiming our
accomplishments. Thank you so very much!

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! What a remarkable vision!

Judy Thompson, Ed. D.
Assistant Superintendent
Sweeny ISD

Scott Milder,

I recently attended a great break out session conducted by Leslie Milder in Richardson TX at the TAFE State Conference. She brought some wonderful posters titled Congratulations Texas Educators! The students loved them and Leslie quickly ran out. She mentioned that if we requested some, they could be sent to our respective schools. McKinney High School would love to display a few.

Thank you so much for your support and MUCH needed information regarding Texas public schools. We have amazing students in this great state, and dedicated teachers who have given their professional lives to better the next generations!

Thanks.....
A Teacher