Testimonials
“Overcoming Obstacles addresses bullying and gives our students skills they need to succeed in college and in their careers. The program's professional development and coaching are key components that help prepare our teachers so our students get the most out of the curriculum.”
Dennis M. Walcott
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
New York, NY
“It has become abundantly clear to the teachers of the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program that the students in our ninth grade academy are beginning to verbalize their strengths and are bonding in a positive way. One vital benefit of the Overcoming Obstacles program has been the unity formed by the students through the sense of belonging to the school itself.”
Daniel Garretson
Teacher
Richmond Hill High School
Queens, NY
“You better jump on it. Jump on this as quickly as you can, because it is an incredible program and the message it sends is just extraordinary.”
Paul Padron
Principal
Haut Gap Middle School
Charleston, SC
“We are grateful to be given this information that is so precious. We see it turning our children around and just making them responsible citizens. It has been amazing. It has been huge.”
Dr. Yvonne Commodore
Principal
Lincoln Middle-High School
McClellanville, SC
“Our staff likes Overcoming Obstacles because it is flexible, allowing them to extend and adapt the program to the particular needs and culture of the students. Also, the subjects covered answer real needs our students have, such as the problem solving and study skills components. And there are so many activities and extension ideas that we have enough material to keep the students engaged from year to year.”
Sarah Jonas
Director of Education Services
The Children's Aid Society
New York, NY
“Overcoming Obstacles is invaluable because what it's providing is a standardized curriculum across the district that teachers can then modify to their own particular student population. We're a large school district, with rural, urban, and suburban schools, and some kids need something a little different. So when I say Overcoming Obstacles is a standardized curriculum, it is. But it's also adaptable to the needs of specific school populations.”
Louis Martin
Associate Superintendent for Middle and High Schools
Charleston County School District
Charleston, SC
“Overcoming Obstacles is a program which in my view is almost without parallel in terms of its impact and effectiveness. Its eventual objective is that all young people will have relevant skills instruction as part of their basic education. That will be a remarkable time for all of us.”
John S. Chalsty
Trustee Emeritus
Columbia University
New York, NY
“At one point in every child's life, they have to take control of their own learning and their own future. And that's where I see the value of Overcoming Obstacles. It gives students the tools to do that.”
Dr. Nancy McGinley
Superintendent
Charleston County School District
Charleston, SC
“The biggest difference I think I've seen with these students is how they respond to others. They now know that how they react says a lot about their character. Before we started Overcoming Obstacles, there were students that would fly off the handle with teachers when we weren't even making a negative comment. To really understand each other, I think, has been the biggest thing that we have seen. It transforms the building.”
Julianne Moffatt
Teacher
Haut Gap Middle School
Charleston, SC
“Since the founding of Overcoming Obstacles in 1992, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has provided annual support. Jill Siegal Chalsty and her committed team provide the tools young people need to help them set goals, develop job-seeking skills, and communicate more effectively. Overcoming Obstacles is doing just that: assisting young middle and high school students to overcome obstacles and become more productive, successful members of society.”
Steven M. Hilton
President
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Los Angeles, CA