Client Testimonials

“This has been such an amazing PD for me as a teacher. I thank you for your encouragement. Your expertise and for your passion to enable us to be more powerful dynamic educators. I can’t wait to carry on this journey”

“This practice encouraged me to be more intentional in all aspects of teaching and focusing on student learning. Intentionality in relation to outcomes, groupings, practices, process, product, etc. It also providing a grounding point when having conversations around student learning. What was the desired outcome vs. what evidence was providing. How did you use this information to guide your next steps in teaching and supporting student learning.”

“Relational trust is a huge factor in school culture. It comes down to relationships. Relationships with staff and relationship with student. When there are strong, trusting relationships it becomes easier to keep student learning and success at the center of your practice.”

“It is their [Galileo mentors’] fierce focus on student learning that makes such a difference to how I think about my leadership or my teaching now.”

“By teaching myself and being coached, I discovered how much more vigorous an inquiry-based project could be. Learning to use multiple resources to find an answer to just one of my many questions by answering it fully and without deceit. After years of reports and essay’s, I was excited about having the door open to explore where I wanted but I realized after only one class how much harder it would be than just a report. I worked hard and intently, but I still feel I haven’t closed the door. Over all – I am proud of myself and my group.”

“You (Candace Saar) and your Galileo team/vision are an inspiration!  Giving me a great hope for education as an educator and mother!  Looking so forward to our continued partnership”

In her evaluation of the Galileo Education Network, U of C’s Dr. Michele Jacobsen, assistant professor in education, found students to be engaged in authentic, meaningful and challenging learning tasks characterized by questioning, problem solving, knowledge construction, collaboration and risk-taking. Teachers reported a fundamental shift in both their planning processes and instructional methods.

“Thank you for everything you are doing with us and our district.”

“I feel quite overwhelmed by what the students and I have learned from participating in this project. I’m amazed to see their [my students’] attention to detail, as well as the growth in their ability to question and interpret information. The tele-collaborative aspect allowed the students both an occasion to share their learning with a real audience and the opportunity to broaden their understanding by making comparisons and drawing conclusions.”

“Thank-you, Candace.  It has been wonderful getting to know you and thank you for all of your ideas learning about student guidance, and encouragement.  It has stretched what I thought about teaching to a new place.  Thank-you for that“

“It will be awesome to come back with what we have taken from this session today and review as well as look at what others have done. This will change my practice.”

“Galileo himself would have marveled at the learning projects showcased by the students at G.W. Skene School on May 10, 2012. Families, CBE senior leadership, and community supporters joined with the students to celebrate their hard work. Area III schools have been partnering with the Galileo Educational Network for two years to support and enrich teaching and learning. Staff and students at G.W. Skene School have been working closely with Galileo facilitators throughout the year to support work focusing on mathematics, strengthening critical thinking skills and helping build connections across all programs of study.“

“Thanks Candace for sharing your wealth of knowledge and guiding us through this “new” journey.  I have learned so much and look forward to the continued collaboration with my colleagues through the next few years”

“I greatly appreciate these sessions. I always feel excited and energized to move the work forward. These past two years have been some of the best professional development of my career. Thank you.”

“Thank you for a great day [in our school]. It was wonderful to be focused on meaningful work that we can utilize immediately in our classrooms.”

“I really liked watching how the teachers and students had to come together as one group to get it done! We had to be willing to help each other out. I also thought it was an amazing learning experience because a lot of us hadn’t ever been given the opportunity to show what they could do, or find certain strengths and weaknesses, places that needed work and places that didn’t. I learned so much more than you would if you just had a teacher up front talking!”

“Candace, Thank-you for all of your encouragement and feedback throughout the year.  When I leave a session, I can’t wait to get back and try out new ideas with my students and share with colleagues“

“Thanks for making this PD meaningful.  I have become a better teacher for it.”

“The Galileo Educational Network promotes innovation in both teaching practices and the organizational structures that support them. Technology integration is seen as one way of achieving the larger goal of transforming teaching and learning. Success is measured in terms of student engagement in authentic learning projects. Information technology is integrated in a seamless, transparent way through careful network design. Professional development is intensive, offered on-site in a timely fashion. The project is committed to on-going research into ICT integration, which serves to effectively link theory and practice.”