Appreciation Letter from University of South Florida

Appreciation Letter from NorthStar High School:

"Dr. Coggins,

I want to thank you for your help that helped lead to my high school, NorthStar High School in Orlando, an Orange County charter, raising our grade from an F to a B with the highest learning gains among secondary schools in the six county Central Florida region.

To be specific, you were helpful in the following ways:

In August 2007 based on your advice we adopted a Strategic Reading Plan for the purpose of creating a long-term, research-based guide in utilizing Best Practices of Literacy Instruction to achieve significant improvement in reading and writing across content areas and at all grade levels. The Strategic Improvement Plan for Reading formed a common bond among students, teachers, administration, staff, and parents toward improving literacy skills (reading and writing) school wide, across content areas.

The focus of the reading program across content areas is: (A) achieving significant and measurable gains in reading and writing; (B) the promotion of activities in the classroom and across the campus that excite students and staff in the opportunities provided by reading; (C) promoting meaningful communication among the staff and professional development opportunities so that reading gains will be consistently achieved in all subject areas; (D) the interpretation of data to guide instruction including assessment at grade level; (E) the use of standards-based FCAT strategies in the classroom across content areas. You were valuable in helping to brainstorm about our reading plan and in bringing NSHS together with the American Reading Company. Your ideas for the reading program are at the heart of the plan we put together before the school year began.

I am deeply grateful, as both a teacher and a former student and a Stetson University graduate."

- Bill Kerns, M.Ed.
Curriculum Specialist, Reading Specialist
NorthStar High School

Appreciation Letter from Hostos Community College/CUNY:

"Dr. Coggins,

Thank you so much for the wonderful work that you did with our Student Leaders and potential candidates for the Hostos Student Leadership Academy this past January. Your presence was of great value and provided our students with the opportunity to experience and come to understand concepts and ideas that they would have otherwise never come into contact with.

I was so pleased to have you join us for our second annual Leadership Winter Workshop Series and for allowing our students to benefit from your knowledge and your experience. Every one of the students who attended had a very positive experience with you and the workshop and many of them have asked that you return to join us again in the near future.

Thank you so much!"

- Jason Libfeld
Student Leadership Coordinator
Hostos Community College/CUNY

"Patrick,

I received your book in the mail this morning. Tuskegee Airman Fighter Pilot: A Story of An Original Tuskegee Pilot, Lt. Col. Hiram E. Mann. It is an exceptionally documented and moving account of the experience of a Tuskegee Airman. I can hardly put the book down and I already feel as If I know Lt. Col. Hiram Mann.

Your book's account of "the underground railroad" nat turner and denmark vessey revolts, and the other historical underpinings of our struggle will serve as good lessons for my kids.

Thank you for the honor of mentioning our father in your pages. The book is a real African American history refresher course for me, and will be a primer of my youngsters."

- Elton R. Williams, M.B.A., J.D..
Williams Law Firm

"Everyone raved about your Workshop. We came away with better appreciation (not just tolerance) of our diverse world."

- Prima H.
University of South Florida

"I recently attended your workshop at USF, Ford Foundation Project. First, I want to say thank you for your valuable insight and practical strategies!"

- Jones N.
Bay Point Middle School

"The presentation went well. It stimulated so much discussion that the participants requested a follow-up. They want part two to complete various aspects that we did not have time to get into. It’s great for the staff. It’s not often that we have the time to discuss these relevant educational issues that are so crucial to the academic success of our kids."

- Jean-Michel H.
Volusia County Schools

"The district is still buzzing from your presentation. I have had several positive comments from various participants, including top administrators."

- Dr Solomon Stephens
Pinellas County Schools

"Dr. Coggins & Associates has many great suggestions for use in a classroom or a presentation to a faculty. Dr. Coggins has a philosophy that is powerful in the writing area which we all know the students need in today's society. Along with the writing comes the cultural diversity theory when one thinks about this both are very closely related. I enjoyed the class and look forward to starting the training with other teachers to accelerate the learning in all students. Thanks for helping me understand more about the students and their learning."

- Diane T.
Mainland High School

"Thank you so much for your presentation in class at BCC! The students were very impressed and captivated by your performance."

- Jean-Michel H.

"CONGRADULATIONS! TERRIFIC. JOB WELL DONE. Keep up the good work."

- Bettye C.

"The attendees at the workshop were very motivated about the strategies you gave them. It is an important service you are providing and I am honored to be a part of it. I am excited about the partnership the American Reading Company and your expertise have created."

- Sharon M.
American Reading Company

"It was so good to meet you today and be a part of your workshop! You are a dynamic presenter and really know how to keep the audiences attention."

- Megan M.
American Reading Company

" I have learned so much from the seminar. I am more aware that teachers should have broad knowledge about innovative strategies in order to meet the needs of my pupils coming from different regions of the Philippines. They need to be more knowledgeable not only from school and books, but also from their environment."

- Anna Liza C. Lobarbio
Sweet Valley Academy
Rizal, Philippines

"I learned a lot from the seminar, as a teacher, I should know the strengths of my pupils so that the techniques and strategies that I use will meet their level of intelligence. I have also learned not to judge a book by its cover, meaning not to prejudge my pupils. I should know and understand their regional differences. Thank you so much Mrs. Thomson."

- Salve G. Marvella
Angel of Wisdom Academy
Rizal, Philippines

"I am a registered nurse and a clinical instructor for Unciano Medical Center and Colleges; from the seminar, I learned that I must know the regional background of my nursing students since they came from the provinces of Bicol, Ilocos, Pampangga and some with Muslim background. All of them have different ways of understanding and practices. I must know their individual strengths and weaknessess so I can share my knowledge and meet their practical needs. In my teachings, I will emphasize respect for different cultures and beliefs and focus on commonalities instead of differences. With this principle, patients' needs under my students' supervision will surely be met. "

- Etheldreda G. Santos, R.N.
Unciano Medical Center & Colleges
Rizal, Philippines

"That speaker was dynamic last night---I had to fight back the tears, just hearing him describe what it must have been like for our ancestors. It was so moving."

"You are truly an amazing person. Your presentation is always excellent and the knoweldge is awesome on the African experience in the USA. You were powerful indeed! People here are waking up and were inspired by your history, much of which most people did not know."

"I really enjoyed the presentation on African American history at Cobb Middle School. My co-worker and I are trying to compose information for our Train The Trainer presentation on Monday. During the presentation it was mentioned that African American History proves effective in helping to close the achievement gap. Thank you so much for your time and effort."