In
1989, educational film and television producer Jill Siegal Chalsty’s
childhood tormentor, Sara, apologized to her at their ten-year high school
reunion. Sara was a bully in school and made Jill’s life miserable.
After the reunion, Jill met with Sara and learned the reasons for her
behavior. Sara then shared that her job is bringing “life skills”
instruction to children in detention facilities. She hoped to help kids
today avoid the pain that she and Jill had suffered. Jill was mystified--what
is “life skills” instruction? Why isn’t it available
to all children?
Jill undertook a yearlong research project. The subject: “What is
the missing link to effective education?” Her interviews were with
fellow classmates, current students, local business owners, teachers,
superintendents, and concerned parents. A common theme emerged: we must
teach our children the skills relevant to success in life.
Jill went on to gain the support of local and national
community leaders – including HUD Secretary Jack Kemp and NFL Hall
of Famer John Mackey – and in 1992 launched a nonprofit education
reform organization, the Community for Education Foundation.
The organization’s
mission:ensure that all young people learn the communication, decision
making, and goal setting skills they need to be successful in life.
Community for Education Foundation’s vehicle for mission achievement
would be the Overcoming Obstacles program: curriculum materials, professional
development, and ongoing support so educators could teach the skills relevant
to success to all of their students. Among the first Overcoming Obstacles
cities were Los Angeles, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Jersey City, and New York
City. Today, Overcoming Obstacles is taught by thousands of educators
to hundreds of thousands of students across the country.
