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TESTIMONIALS
"You were received by our kids with great enthusiasm and we all have terrific memories of your benevolence. It was wonderful that you shared with them your own story from your new book about your daughter. It was very heartwarming. It taught the children a very valuable lesson from which they will benefit for years to come. The kids' favorite part was definitely your initiative in helping out the Cooperative Feeding Program and assisting the kids in making gift bags. They loved getting to help others in their own creative way."
Sam Jordan
Director of Operations
Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
"I am just so appreciative for all of the time and energy you have put into the success of our school. It has been wonderful to catch your vision and to learn how to affect change at Lawn Manor. Thank you again for the love you have shown our school."
Nick Henkle
Principal
Oak Lawn Primary
Oak Lawn, IL
"All of us at Hatcher Elementary School have again listened to and learned from The Biggest and Brightest Light. At Hatcher this is becoming an annual read in my guidance classes the week before Christmas break. David Greene, my principal, and I have been invited to again speak at this summer's Southeast Character Education Conference in Chattanooga, TN. Again, our topic will be kindness and we will use your book in our presentation."
Kevin Smith
Guidance Counselor
Hatcher Elementary School
Ashland, KY
"Phew! You are a dynamite of ideas of caring and compassion! I love that our paths are crossed. This journey is the BEST! You are truly an inspiration, Marilyn!"
Dr. Amanda Miles
Principal
Coral Parks Elementary School
Parkland, FL
"We want to thank you for having provided our Partnership in Character Education Program teachers with such a valuable day of professional development on November 15, 2007. The goal of the program that day was to have elementary teachers inspired to develop service learning projects at their schools that are truly meaningful. The goal was also to have them understand that while children are told that giving, kindness and respect is good, they need to really understand the positive impact they have when they demonstrate these values. Teachers are in a position to engage children in their communities and abroad in ways that have them experience and internalize this importance. Through your stories and activities you promoted a true sense and desire for these teachers and they are still talking about it and asking when you will come back to work with us again. Below are some quotes from participants sent via e-mail:"
"Thanks for the wonderful opportunity..."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the Service Learning in-service which I was fortunate enough to attend. Mrs. Perlyn's presentation was relevant, humane, sensitive and very to the point. I enjoyed of all her ideas..."
"Mrs. Perlyn was great! My eyes were burning from crying that day. It was truly an inspiring workshop. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to participate and for providing such a wonderful experience."
"The workshop with Mrs. Perlyn was wonderful, sincere and moving. It is the first professional development experience I've participated in, where the presenter actually cared about what each individual participant had to say and what they were gaining from being there."
Dr. Mara Zapata
Program Director, Partnership for Character Education
Miami-Dade County Schools
Miami, FL
"I can't say enough about the impact Marilyn Perlyn had on me and on my goals as an elementary counselor. Thank you!"
National Center for Youth Issues
2nd Annual Mississippi Conference Celebrating Healthy Choices for Youth
Chattanooga, TN
"I'm sure that you will be pleased to know that, once again, your presentation received the most favorable comments. On the first question: Which speaker did you enjoy the most? ...you received the most votes!! Congratulations and thanks for helping to make our conference top notch!"
Sandy Swartz
Co-coordinator of Character Education
School District of Jefferson
Jefferson, WI
"I want to thank you for your presentation at the Character Education Conference I attended this week. Yours was by far the most enjoyable and inspiring session I attended. Your family is an inspiration to all of us. I wonder if we had had character education going on nation-wide in the past 30 years if we would not have a much different nation and subsequently different world. I believe that we CAN each make a difference, and you have prompted me to make it a high priority to change my own classroom and try to be an instrument of change in our school. Thank you for teaching your family, and now others, the value of selfless sacrifice for the benefit of others. Thank you again for your presentation and the example of how we can better live our lives."
David Czerepinski
Teacher
"May each of your acts of caring kindle a light in another to reach out and make a difference in someone's life. It is my hope that this story will be the spirit that sparks that desire."
Muhammad Ali
"An education beyond the classroom that emphasizes the concept of helping others and a quintessential example of service to others...a must read for every child, parent, and educator in America!."
Art Johnson, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Palm Beach School District
"Charming, inspiring... The Biggest and Brightest Light ought to be required reading in every kindergarten and first grade in America!"
John Rosemond
Syndicated Columnist
Author and Child Psychologist
"Amanda's gift of caring for her teacher is a gift for us all! Her story tugs at your heart, makes you feel good and inspires children to want to help others. A beautiful experience for children and adults to share..."
Ellen Rosenberg
Author
"The Biggest and Brightest Light helps us all learn a wonderful lesson gracefully and gently. The clear and simple message that even a small child can make a profound difference in the lives of others has meaning for both the child and adult reader. Once again, the power of caring triumphs."
Caring Institute
Washington, DC
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARILYN PERLYN