“The rewards of Keystone are immeasurable for both teacher and students, and I will never again set foot in any classroom without it!”
Deborah West, Kindergarten Teacher

“I visit all classrooms and have noticed a marked improvement in behavior across the campus because of Keystone.”
Barbara Bryant, Elementary School Counselor

“Keystone has helped us create an extremely friendly campus. Even though 80% of our students are free and reduced lunch qualified, we still earned an ‘exemplary’ rating for our TAAS scores, improving from a ‘recognized’ rating last year. Keystone definitely played a role in our accomplishment. More kids want to come to school and they are more polite, respectful, and well-behaved. We have had fewer serious discipline problems and more kids feel safe in school. Parents are noticing the changes in the kids and I am constantly hearing positive things from them. Keystone has been a huge part of these changes. I can feel the kinder atmosphere when I walk down the halls.”
Janet George, Elementary School Principal

“Wow-where to start! I have several 5th grade boys who had behavior problems last year, especially on the playground. This year they have had only a couple of infractions. The whole class is very respectful to one another. The few substitutes I’ve had love my class and my student teacher can’t believe how nice they are. When we had the earthquake here in Washington many of my students were upset and crying. I noticed one of my boys reaching over and patting the shoulder of the girl next to him who was crying, comforting her and telling her it would be all right. This is not a normal 5th grade trait from a boy-it was a Hallmark moment!”
Sue Neil, 5th Grade Teacher

“My students monitor each other now using the vocabulary they learned from Keystone. If someone is ‘out of line’ a classmate will say to them ‘respect’ or ‘kindness.’ That’s usually all it takes.”
Terri Rodriguez, Kindergarten Teacher

“I have noticed my students helping each other more. Just yesterday a student dropped her supply box and things went everywhere. About 10 of my students stopped what they were doing to help her. Things like this happen daily in my classroom.”
Kelly Thomas, 3rd Grade Teacher

“My class has experienced several teacher changes this year. We used Keystone lessons and principles to adjust and re-adjust. My students begged to have Keystone time.”
Rachel Erlund, 4th Grade Teacher

“It has been great listening to students tell one another be kind, let’s talk it over, be in control, or just being quick to say I’m sorry. It has helped to make them be more sensitive to others’ needs.”
Sue Futterer, Kindergarten Teacher

“Keystone has the capability of being a life-changing experience. The Keystone principles apply to life situations. The benefits can be felt at home with family members as well as in the classroom. A very positive program!”
Anne Seidensticker, 2nd Grade Teacher

“I can even see in my own children, who are enrolled in kindergarten, an enhanced awareness of concepts such as honesty, kindness, and respect. It has really made an impression on them.”
Ann Lightfoot, 4th Grade Teacher

“I noticed my students being more aware of how kind they were behaving after learning the Keystone lessons. They would help each other more, allow others ahead of them, and be more sensitive in their actions.”
Juanita Escobar, 3rd Grade Teacher

“I have a success story about Keystone. One of my students was behind in work on the computer and told me that she had finished her computer work. I knew that another student had done the work for her. We had a class meeting and talked about honesty and helping our friends. We discussed what could have been done instead of doing the work for a friend. After class the student came to me and told me she had done the work for her friend.”
Rebecca Ply, 4th Grade Teacher

“Keystone has not only helped in the school setting but it has also helped me with my family. As I communicate with my own children I try to keep the Keystone principles in my mind and heart.”
Carole Blanton, 1st Grade Teacher

“I have always placed importance on my class being a school family and that we take care of each other. The Keystone curriculum helps me build on this with the stories and activities. This program helps teachers who have problems with classroom management.”
Jane Strong, 2nd Grade Teacher

“The kids frequently come in on Monday mornings talking about how they utilized what they’ve learned from Keystone to make good decisions in sticky situations.”
Shelley Niezgoda, 4th Grade Teacher

“When I saw the Keystone curriculum in other schools, I was very impressed with the thoughts and ideas that the students shared. In my own classroom, I feel that Keystone has helped me and my students get to know each other better. Keystone teaches students life-long skills that help them in relationships, and my students have enjoyed learning these skills.”
Karen Rabe, 2nd Grade Teacher

“Keystone has definitely touched the lives of my students in more ways than one! As I was wondering what to write in response to your survey, I heard one of my students speak directly to my student teacher: ‘Mrs. Cuellar, you forgot to list loyalty as one of the Keystone principles.’ He stated that so matter of factly! As I scrolled down the list of principles that she had listed on the board, I was amazed to see that loyalty had been left off by mistake and he recognized it immediately! I thought that for a second grader the principles must have truly touched the heart of this student. I was so elated that he could name them all by heart. This truly captured his heart and mine to realize that this curriculum was embedded inside of a seven-year-old boy. I know and believe that Keystone is going to be part of a healing process that will spread throughout our entire district if used by all teachers in all grade levels. I feel strongly that we have needed a program that would touch broken hearts no matter what the age is. I truly love Keystone and feel that the training I received from Dalbert Galloway somehow changed my own heart in realizing that our kids can overcome adversities daily by having others truly touch their lives by giving them personal support. I also feel that this program will touch hearts in ways that some of use may never know!”
Loretta Givens, 2nd Grade Teacher