Testimonials |
Below is a short selection of what Teachers, Administrators, Program Directors, Wellness Coordinators and other educators have had to say about SPARK. If you've already experienced how SPARK can help you and your students and would like to submit your own testimonial, Click Here.
Click Here to see a video of what PEP winners are saying about SPARK.
I want to convey to you that our district considers itself to be extremely fortunate to become associated with the SPARK organization. Our staff has fallen in love with the philosophy and instructional strategies of SPARK…This is my 31st year in public education and I have never seen a program become accepted and embraced with so much enthusiasm and support. |
Rodney Green - Assistant Superintendent |
I chose the SPARK Program for our organization because of their research base and years of field testing. My staff loves the SPARK curriculum because it's so easy to learn and use. I strongly recommend their program to any organization looking for excellent physical activity content, training, age-appropriate equipment, and consultation. SPARK does it all, and they do it very well.” |
Mandee Polonsky - Enrichment Programs Manager |
I have been teaching over 30 years and this is by far the most valuable, engaging, Physical Education Program I have ever experienced. |
Irma Balzen - Physical Educator |
SPARK is still being used (training occurred more than 4 years ago) and is very popular with teachers. I even see them using some of the management and organizational techniques in the classroom. This was one of the best staff development decisions we have ever made. Thank you. |
Kathleen Kahn - Principal |
From where I sit, you couldn’t find a more appropriate name than SPARK for this impressive program. Since bringing it to my site four years ago, I have watched it “spark” energy and enthusiasm in a staff that used to dread the thought of teaching one more PE class… They have developed a sense of confidence in an area that used to scare many. That confidence has served to “spark” a love for PE, both for staff and students. I see it in the faces of children; I watch it in the efforts of my teachers. |
Diane Cantelli - Assistant Superintendent |
The SPARK program is the best I've worked with in twenty years of teaching. The lessons are clear, easy to follow, and require very little prep time. Each skill is laid out step by step so they build on one another. |
Kathy Dunlay - 4th grade teacher |
" We have implemented SPARK in all of our 70 schools for the last five years now. The concepts of movement for all, no standing in line, small teams etc have made a huge impact on our students MVPA. The portfolios of activities are endless, easy to use and thorough. All administrators need to take a look at SPARK when considering new ideas for your physical education needs. " |
Audrey Satterblom - Wellness Supervisor |
Your program is absolutely wonderful. We have had the best time. The kids and teachers are enjoying the classes, P.E. has become an important and joyful part of the schedule, and the parents love it. The training sessions were great team builders and we had a blast, and we want to keep all of it going. It has even spilled over and we now have parents who are doing a recess running club and we just had a Health and Nutrition Week with activities every day. It's delightful to focus on the child's total well-being - not just test scores. We're sure the impact of the program will support that as well. And again, everyone we have worked with at SPARK has been terrific. Thanks for everything. |
Maureen Newell - Principal |
I cannot tell you how exhilarated I was at the end of our staff development day May 24. In 28 years in NYC I have never had such a positive experience for staff development. I feel that I could sit with you for a week and still not have all the information you could teach me to teach children. I tried many of the activities you taught us that day with some of my groups. It was exciting for them and me! Thank you!!!!!! |
Karen Hovey - Physical Education Teacher |
We first began using the SPARK After School Program at our YMCA of South Palm Beach County in 2002. Our after school staff loved the binder full of great ideas and easy to use activities -- and the teambuilding and fun workshops SPARK conducted at our site. SPARK coordinates their lessons, teaching strategies, and equipment sets and their approach WORKS! I highly recommend SPARK for every Florida after school physical activity program! |
Bev Johnson - Executive Director |
We loved SPARK at our school.....We learned a lot in those two years. We changed our program, which is a lot better and more active. They gave us super ideas that we have implemented in our classes. Because of SPARK, we are a better department. I am glad we had the opportunity of SPARK and we miss them! |
Janet Jensen - Physical Education Teacher |
The Duval County Public School System in Jacksonville, FL began working with The SPARK Program in 2004 when our PEP Grant submission was funded. After considering other approaches, we selected the research-based SPARK curriculum, teacher training, and equipment package to spark our middle school physical education programs and teachers. Working with the SPARK team was effortless and terrific. They arranged for conference calls to help with planning and management of a 3-year timeline. They were very flexible in editing our workscopes and budgets each year to meet our district’s needs and protocols. The curriculum is easy to learn and in line with todays approach to teaching physical education. Our teachers really enjoyed the active training sessions as noted on their workshop evaluation forms. Over time, SPARK continued to support our efforts, checking in just to see how things were going, and even conducted a free presentation to our middle school principals upon request. After spending 3 years working with a number of people on the SPARK team, I highly recommend their materials, services, staff and programs. |
Judy Hitzing - District Physical Education Resource Teacher |
SPARK is a wonderful program. Its entire focus is to keep students active in a structured activity. The skills progression for each unit is perfect for the middle school. The trainings are always fun, because we get to play.........and very useful. I highly recommend the program! |
Nona Collins - Not Provided |
SPARK was a highly professional, well-administrated, quality program. It provides teachers with great ideas and makes one very sensitive to the need for constant motion in the physical fitness classroom. |
John Morton - Not Provided |
SPARK is such a wonderful program. It brings physical activity alive! The Title 1 Early Childhood staff and children enjoy their physical activity journey each and every day. |
Yvonne Jones - Not Provided |
I first learned of SPARK at Nike, when I participated in a workshop there. I was so impressed with their after school program that I insisted we write it into our PEP Bill grant. Now, everyone in the Atlanta Boys and Girls Clubs knows how great the SPARK curriculum, training, and Sportime equipment is. Together, this is an unbeatable team and I highly recommendmthem to all PEP Bill winners. |
Matt Ryan - Executive Director |
SPARK staff are the best! We did elementary workshops in our district and the teachers loved them. The SPARK group did so much of the organization and planning for me, saving me so much time. SPARK is my good luck charm! |
Pat Faire - Physical Education Coordinator |
Incredible...fun exciting, quick moving practical ideas for students, teachers plus staff. |
Nancy Brown - Not Provided |
The games are simple and fun. The presentation was perfectly paced and the content will be easy to use in my classroom. |
Tracy Geisinger - Not Provided |
This is the only program I've seen that can help students be successful with PE activities-everyone can enjoy it no matter what their level of coordination or bodily condition! |
Jill Seaman - Not Provided |
After experiencing the program at another school as a parent I was excited to begin it at the school I work at. The kids love the activities. |
Enaid Soriano - Not Provided |
This program has an incredible variety of ideas that can utilized to provide a comprehensive physical education program to promote physical fitness. |
Hannelore Rojas - Not Provided |
I think we need more kinesthetic integration in our academic curriculum to enhance learning (even improving test scores). I have found this immensely helpful even for my SDC preschool. |
Melony Paulson - Not Provided |
SPARK is easily to implement and it is very beneficial to the student who is hesitant to be active. |
Dave Galvin - Not Provided |
It is wonderful new approach to physical activity for adults as well as kids! Some of our staff has done this before and they recommended it highly. |
Sue Ellen Weber - Not Provided |
The Spark program provides many new activities that are enjoyable for the students and that are beneficial for their physical fitness. |
Karina Molina - Los Angeles |
Spark is a great program to promote fitness and participation. I like the organization of the binder-how skills are broken down. |
Jeannie Crawley - Not Provided |
I would definitely recommend the workshop! It was fun and informative! Gives those who attend a lot of great games plus activities that they can take back to sites. |
Erikka Fullon - Modesto |
So many great ideas for teachers to do more gross motor with students-the information is so well organized plus well presented-terrific materials!!! |
Nicole Draskoczy - Not Provided |
It gives terrific guidance and ideas for movement activities for children, and it was fun. Easy to implement into curriculum in many different areas (writing, science, math etc.) |
Caroline Ryburn - Not Provided |
It gives great ideas and expands a teachers knowledge of the importance of music and movement, physical activity and nutrition. |
Kathrine Moran - Not Provided |
This is one of the best trainings I have attended. I love the program and especially the aspect of there being no losers-- everyone wins! |
Nancy Zuellig - Not Provided |
This program, I think, would inspire even the most timid instructor to want to get the children out and moving |
Joni Clark - Not Provided |
I brought this training to our after school program after attending a SPARK training Sacramento. I think everyone who works with kids should be trained in SPARK. |
Marcy Rossi - Not Provided |
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Lisa Beam - PE teacher |
I attended SPARK training this summer in San Diego and just wanted to let you know how it has impacted my teaching, even after 25 years... I guess you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! My favorite thing that I use constantly is the "drinks of water" reward for kids that are doing what you want them to do. This is such a simple thing, but it has changed the dynamic in my classes so much! It is amazing how focusing on the positive things my kids do, and rewarding them with a drink of water can cause the others to want to work harder and be the one to get recognized...plus it is easy and FREE! I love it!!
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Karen Cline - PE Teacher |
I can't say enough about how much I have enjoyed using the SPARK curriculum in my PE classes. The kids love it and I love teaching it. The curriculum is very user friendly and is precise and to the point. Having enough equipment for the whole class is a great advantage too. You can't go wrong with SPARK.
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Judy Vanderford - Health and Physical Education Teacher |
I began the year with anticipation, excitement and yet some apprehension with the implementation of a new curriculum for our Middle School Physical Education classes. Although I love the curriculum and I have seen it work with our Elementary staff and students, I wasn't sure what to expect with our Middle Schools. After Wednesday's Curriculum Meeting, the uncertainty is gone. I would like to share some of the comments the middles school teachers made about the curriculum:
-"We no longer have students standing around. Students are actively engaged and actually tired when they leave my class."
-"Every kid participates and they don't even realize they are exercising."
-"We tried the golf curriculum and it really worked!"
-"The kids love the the warm-up activities and our activity time has increased."
-"The amount of equipment we received has helped to out a ball in every kids hands. They have more opportunities to learn and improve their skill."
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Tina De La Rosa - Elementary PE Specialist PEP Grant Coordinator |
First, let me say KEN IS FANTASTIC!!! I knew he was great but after my four days with him I am really impressed. The trainings were a COMPLETE success. The feedback we received was inspiring.Ken has all of the check-in/evaluations and they are extraordinary!!!!
I am so looking forward to working with both SPARK and Ken these next two years!!!! Thanks for making it happen! Our OUSD students are going to get SPARKED UP!!!!!!!!
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Pamela Lambert - Principal District Wellness Coordinator |
The training was FANTASTIC!!!! I was worried that 3 days with the same trainer would be a little much, but he was great. I got so much out of those three days!!
All the other PE teachers were very positive about the training, and were very receptive to the SPARK curriculum. With the training and all the new equipment, I'm sure there will be some very positive changes to our PE program district wide. Very exciting stuff!!!
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Cathy Nonas - Director, Physical Activity Nutrition Programs |
We have been working with the SPARK team for many years now. Their professionalism, the quality of their work and their guidance has been extremely important for the work that we have been doing in NYC daycares and we take great pride in our relationship with SPARK.
Spark’s trainers and staff are of the highest quality. And they have been wonderful collaborators when we needed adjustments in manuals or workshops. The SPARK content, as well as the caliber of their trainings, is of the highest quality and I recommend them highly.
From these positive experiences and others, I believe they will be a fine resource to Head Start centers. SPARK has my recommendation as an excellent organization to work with.
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Kevin Konkol - Senior Director of Operations |
The Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay has been implementing the SPARK After School Program for the past 3 years.
The SPARK program has been easy to implement since it comes with a large manual and the staff can just pick out the games and activities that they want to play with the kids and the sheet has all the information on it.
The SPARK Train the Trainer has been a huge benefit for us. We do about three trainings a year with our staff and still have the flexibility of doing one-on-one visits with the staff while they are running programs to give them some pointers or help with certain situations.
Another benefit to SPARK is that there are games that we can play in small areas that still get the kids the required Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity. The games/activities can be modified for smaller or larger areas which comes in handy most every place that we go.
All-in-all we are very pleased with the SPARK program and it works very well with our After School programs.
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Chris Hill - HealthPE Teacher |
Hi, this is Chris Hill from Chocowinity NC. I attended your workshop in Currituck NC, on January, 20th. Both myself and my co-worker, Kellee Reichelt (who also attended the workshop) have been using ideas from SPARK. We both have used it with ALL of our classes. It truly has been a wonderful program. It still amazes me how the kids are being active and using muscles that they otherwise wouldn't be using, all while "having so much fun". The kids think I've flipped at times, because things are so much different than they were (before attended SPARK).Our new Grant Finder Tool will help you find grants specific to your state and type of program. New grants updated daily!
The Spark program provides many new activities that are enjoyable for the students and that are beneficial for their physical...