Recommendations

"Thank you for coming to my classes and sharing with my students information that is absolutely critical. Information that can help them cultivate healthy relationships and to make wise and healthy choices.

During middle school, students have a hard time thinking 'long term.' but the reality is that the decision they make now will inevitably affect their future. Your presentation equips students with strategies to cultivate these healthy relationships and to reduce teen and unwed pregnancies. It emphasizes honoring and reserving sexual expression for a later time in their lives. A large part of the presentation helps students to think about their future and realize the impact of decisions on their goals. This abstinence message has been an excellent supplement to our Health Curriculum.

Our students find your presentations warm, though provoking and encouraging. I have received feedback from my students that the presentation has motivated them to make future choices that they will be proud of and ones that will keep them healthy. I can't imagine a more positive message that could be given to middle school students."

In appreciation,
Karen Dawson, Health Department
Valley View Middle School

"I am department head of the Family and Consumer Science department at Bothell High school and have had Beth Graef speak in all of our Family Psychology classes. The student response is extremely positive. I have had her speak to our classes during the relationship and communication unit. Our students mention over and over how engaging and relevant she is because she shares personal information with humor and sincerity. The presentations are always well received with students and teachers in my department. Her presentation is able to reinforce the content we are covering in our curriculum and then share her own personal examples. It is her ability and willingness to share her own experience that makes this program such a success with students. While the information and resources are valuable, the kids mention over and over how much they enjoy hearing life experiences from adults who are open and honest.

I feel this program is a valuable tool for educators and an effective resource for students. Because the topics in our courses are very current and because we are an elective program preparing kids for life and careers, we have a high number of guest speakers. In my twelve years at this high school I have never had another speaker or presenter get the raves that she gets nor have I seen other presentations have the impact that I have seen with Connexions speakers. Even though it is only a two-day presentation, it is very common for kids to remark and reference something she said weeks and months later. Several students have listed it as their most valuable activity in the semester-end evaluation of the course.

I can't emphasize enough what a valuable resource this outreach offers to today's youth."

Catherine Doner, Family & Consumer Science Department Head
Bothell High School