Testimonials
Student
Quotes
"I love going to Classroom Matters because they really care about what
is going on in my life and they help me sort out my life issues as well
as my academic ones." Julia, Head Royce Student
"Just being in the learning center helps me get
motivated to work, whereas at home I'd be distracted." Adam
B., Berkeley High Student
"I consider myself to be a veteran when it comes to tutors. My
whole life I've lived with an awkward learning disability that prevents
me from being able to grasp main ideas or concepts. Since 5th grade
I've been seeing a math tutor and over the past seven years I have had
five tutors. Molly came into my life when I was a sophomore. I decided
I wanted to excel in English, so my best friend suggested seeing Molly.
When I first called Molly her energy matched my own and that threw me
off. I had never encountered an adult with so much spunk and personality
before. This wasn't just refreshing: it was eye-opening. Molly restored
my faith in adults. She changed my life. After my very first meeting
with Molly, I received a straight "A" on my next exam. The grades stayed
high throughout the year. Molly doesn't treat me like a kid. She isn't
just a tutor helping me, she is my friend. I feel I have become a healthier
person because Molly offers a truthful perspective that no teacher or
parent can. Molly calls it like she sees it. Molly is a hard core mama
guru who teaches about life and where the commas go." Emily,
Head Royce Student
"I think that Classroom Matters is great for me
because my grades have improved and I have become less stressed out
about school. My tutor is great and she understands the way I need to
be taught." Miles, Berkeley High Student
"I think I have been getting better grades in all
my classes. My parents have backed off and have not been so uptight.
My tutor is terrific and so is your program." Natalie, Redwood
Day Student
"I feel like my schedule is improving because I
have most of my work planned out/dealt with and the staff is great."
Jake, Berkeley High Student
"Classroom
Matters came into my life at a time when I was not doing so well to
say the least: I was drowning in my own lies, I didn't like myself,
I was overwhelmed from pressure from school, my peers, my parents; I
was suffering from the worst organizational complex anyone had ever
seen. These types of problems are just a couple of many that your average
teenager deals with on a day-to-day basis; my tutor understands that.
I was an arrogant kid caught up over my head in a social scene that
controlled me. My tutor helped me not only organize my schoolwork, but
my life as well. She was supportive of me all the way. She gave it to
me straight, and in that sometimes very lonely world of teenagehood,
it is nice to know that you have a friend you can talk to, who will
be there to support you, but also demands your best and won't let you
off the hook. She has inspired me to go after my unique potential and
believe in myself and the truth to help me achieve my dreams. In short,
there is not a single person that can't benefit tremendously from what
Classroom Matters has to offer...it is the best...period." Adam
S., Berkeley High Student
"My grades have gone up at least a grade each! I'm
getting straight A's (well, not in French: B+). I think Classroom Matters
has helped me. A lot gets accomplished in very little time." Miriam,
Berkeley High Student
"Since I started Classroom Matters I've been getting
better grades in English and it's easier to do my homework and no one
is mean. I got an A on my essay, I was proud of myself." Tess,
Berkeley High Student
"Two years ago I was petrified to meet my tutor. I never had a tutor
who cared enough to understand me. Now she is the highlight of my week.
She has supported me in overcoming my dyslexia and vastly improved my
essay writing. Every teenager has impossible days, but now I can break
down any situation and make it all doable with a realistic schedule."
Ceci, Berkeley High Student
"I have confidence I never thought I could have. Classroom Matters has
given me the opportunity to be the teenager I never thought I could
be. Their help with social issues is a bonus. My tutor has been an advisor,
a teacher and a friend." Siena, College Prep Student
Parent
Quotes
"I have to pass on to you something that Jonathan
said last night when he came home from supervised study. I asked him
if he liked the place, and he said, 'Yeah, it's a nice community of
people. A lot of them go to Berkeley High,' and then he said, 'You know,
Mom. I've never had so much fun learning.' And I just thought that was
such an unsolicited quotable quote, and I thought I'd pass it on to
you." Lainey Pleet, Parent
"Classroom
Matters has been a godsend for our family. My son, a sophomore at Berkeley
High, immediately connected with the Classroom Matters staff and, under
his own initiative, has been going four days a week after school and
staying until they close. They are tutoring him in several different
subjects, and he is benefiting tremendously from working with them and
from the supervised study time. He has learned to better organize his
assignments and work productively. His grades have improved and he feels
confident and proud of his new academic abilities. I attribute his progress
to the great Classroom Matters staff. They have helped him to enjoy
Berkeley High and the increased workload of his sophomore year. They
are providing the one-on-one and small group environment that I would
have expected at a private school, hoped for at Berkeley High, and found
at Classroom Matters." Ina Evans, Parent
"I can't recommend Classroom Matters enough for helping
my son through a rough period last year and preventing our family from
going through a complete meltdown over his problems with school. CM
not only got us through a real crisis but helped my son develop a much
stronger sense of confidence about himself and his ability to tackle
and solve difficult problems and succeed in school.
"Within a nanosecond of
meeting him, Molly Gales, one of the owners, had my son enthusiastically
involved. Within 5 minutes, we were signed up not only for tutoring
in the one subject but in two, combined with three days of 'supervised
study'. My son heard what that was about and jumped at the opportunity.
The atmosphere is wonderful - the kids feel they are there with other
motivated, academically strong students who just happen to have some
problem or another - ranging from motivation and attitude to real learning
disabilities. In our case, we agreed that Molly and Lisa Miller, her
partner, would monitor his grades, progress, issues, etc., allowing
us as a family to go back to having fun and focusing on other things.
Their feedback is regular (every two weeks), insightful and caring.
Molly and Lisa are both wonderful and very different, so there is a
great balance in the roles they play and how they relate to the kids.
"My son had his plan for
CM in place for this year before school was even out last year. Whether
he needs tutoring or not, he has signed on again for three days of supervised
study. I am going back to school for the first time in 30 years this
fall and 'threatened' to sign up for CM myself. I was told in no uncetain
terms to forget it - this is definitely his own space for learning,
struggling, growing and kicking back." Nancy Turak, Parent
"I've observed my daughter's efforts to do well in school for many years.
I have been amazed at the vitality and zest for schoolwork that Classroom
Matters has inspired in my daughter. It is clear to me that their coaching
produces results on many levels. My daughter certainly has gained a
better understanding of what her courses and particular assignments
are driving at, and this makes her schoolwork relevant to her. She has
also gained a more positive attitude about learning, which gives her
more energy and stick-to-itiveness. Best of all, she's learned to bounce
back from the inevitable frustrations of trying to get her mind around
new ideas and difficult assignments." Peter Dybwad, Parent
"My daughter went to Classroom Matters for help with writing in
English and History, but she also received coaching in time management,
priority setting, research, and the ins and outs of various teaching
styles. They have been a wonderful addition to my daughter's life."
Bonnie Stack, Parent
"Classroom Matters is fabulous, really one of a kind. We sent our daughter
there for enrichment and more in-depth writing instruction than her
school provides. The first time Alison met with her tutor she said,
'She's the coolest person I've ever met.' Alison's tutor has the unique
gift of not only teaching children, but noticing what is special about
your child and helping them to believe in themselves. Whether it's reading,
thinking, writing, or organizational skills, she can immediately see
what is needed and work with your child at his or her level in a fun,
insightful, and engaging way. Classroom Matters will inspire your child
to want to learn and enjoy it. I cannot recommend the program highly
enough." Sandra Hamburg, Parent
