Educator Testimonials

A practical and fun way to make your students understand why achieving academically is so important.
Shuntell Anthony, Teacher
Manual Arts High School
South-Central Los Angeles
Overcoming Obstacles works very diligently to positively affect the youth who will eventually run our society. The program inspires them, encourages them, and helps them realize their own self-worth. It is a much needed catalyst to prepare our youth for the future.
Tamisha Donald, Teacher
Gompers Middle School
Los Angeles
Overcoming Obstacles came to me with the strongest and most enthusiastic recommendations. Both the materials and the organization are wonderful! We are looking forward to our second year with Overcoming Obstacles this fall.
Terry Swords
Coordinator Ninth Grade Success Academy
Cobble Hill School for American Studies
Brooklyn, New York
I have been at it (teaching Overcoming Obstacles) for the last six years and the results have been remarkable. Our attendance rate has improved. Our student graduation rate has increased to 70%. Most importantly, our students have learned to exhibit the like skills and knowledge that will guide them for the rest of their lives. The Overcoming Obstacles curriculum with its emphasis on relevant skills has been the key factor in their success.
Perry Cecchini, Head Teacher
15 Together Program
Dickinson High School, Jersey City
Overcoming Obstacles has been an invaluable resource for me as a facilitator. The teens I work with have been informed, entertained, and engaged all at the same time by the Overcoming Obstacles activities we've done in our group. This curriculum offers a broad range of lesson plans that can be easily adapted to fit the needs of nearly any class or group. In fact, I'm currently training older students to lead some of the activities from Overcoming Obstacles with younger students in the program!
Andrea Kamins
After School in Lincoln Square
MLK High School Campus, New York
I use it periodically to enhance and enforce themes, conflicts, choices in literature and it is an invaluable tool for teaching students skills they might not otherwise obtain. The activities are accessible and topical to all students who seem to truly enjoy them without feeling like it's work.
Elizabeth DeBetta
New Dorp High School
Staten Island, New York
The Overcoming Obstacles program does what this country needs a lot more of: it instills the skills and values needed to set a child on the path to a successful future.
Dr. Rudolph Crew
Former Chancellor
New York City Public Schools
We have been using the program for four years at the Children's Aid Society and have found it to be a great asset to our youth programming in community schools. The program has provided critical content for our Freshman Seminar and Town Meeting programs, which serve to prepare incoming students for success at the High School and Middle School levels, respectively. Our staff like 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 will 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 City
Our teachers were committed to teaching a course called Pathways to Success to our ninth graders, but did not have the proper skills or materials. Overcoming Obstacles provided an amazing curriculum with relevant and engaging activities that teach the important lessons of decision-making, problem-solving, goal-setting and conflict resolution. The lessons come complete with step-by-step instructions, thematic connections and necessary handouts. In addition, Overcoming Obstacles helped us to structure the materials in the course to meet the needs of our particular student population. I know that our students benefited from this program as they learned skills, like communication and time management, that aren't explicitly taught in their traditional classes, but that are essential for them for their careers in high school, college and beyond.

In my current role as a Regional Instructional Specialist, I have recommended Overcoming Obstacles to several schools who have an Advisory system and the region is using one of those schools as a model site for their advisory and conflict resolution programs. Next year, I will be the principal of a new school. One of the main components of our school program will be our Advisory program. I know that I will be able to count on the curriculum and support of Overcoming Obstacles to make this important aspect of our school a success.
Elana Karopkin, Principal
The Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice
Brooklyn, New York

Supporter Testimonials

Most children are trying to make it. They just need high expectations and the support of people like those at the Overcoming Obstacles program. I hope you and I will stand up together to build such a movement.
Marian Wright Edelman
Founder & President
Children's Defense Fund
The Overcoming Obstacles program helps reduce gang involvement, youth violence, and dropout rates, while increasing high school graduation and the employability of each young person. Now you too can be a part of the Overcoming Obstacles team.
Muhammed Ali
World Champion Boxer
The Overcoming Obstacles program does wonderful work by giving kids the tools to be more productive. The people at the Community for Education Foundation time and again show how wonderful they are as citizens.
Larry King
Host, Larry King Live
Living itself is an act of courage and living with obstacles with the help of a marvelous program like Overcoming Obstacles should help make us bolder.
Rita Moreno
Award Winning Entertainer
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
Overcoming Obstacles is a program that teaches the value of goal setting, communicating, problem solving, decision making, and resolving conflicts. Those are the skills that are important in school, on the job, on the football field, and in marriage.
H. Wayne Huizenga
Founder, Blockbuster Video; Owner, Miami Dolphins
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
The Overcoming Obstacles program gives our children the coping skills not only to survive, but to excel!
Kenneth I. Chenault
Chairman & CEO
American Express
Every young person should have the opportunity to receive the relevant skills instruction that the Overcoming Obstacles program offers. With your help, we can spread the message that this program carries to every corner of America, helping more and more young people gain the skills they need to achieve their dreams.
Christine Todd Whitman
Former Governor
State of New Jersey
By teaching communication skills, conflict resolution, decision making, goal setting, and job seeking skills, the dedicated individuals of the Overcoming Obstacles program are helping middle and high school students across the country build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Al Gore
45th Vice President
of the United States
The Overcoming Obstacles program proves that communication, decision making, and goal setting can be taught and reinforced with success.
Mannie L. Jackson
Chairman & Owner
Harlem Globetrotters
Our company is very proud to be a part of Overcoming Obstacles. I've had the opportunity to participate in many great, worthwhile organizations and there are none anywhere that are better than Overcoming Obstacles.
Philip J. Purcell
Former Chairman & CEO
Morgan Stanley

Al Gore:

By teaching communication skills, conflict resolution, decision making, goal setting, and job seeking skills, the dedicated individuals of the Overcoming Obstacles program are helping middle and high school students across the country build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.