Making a Good Brain Great Curriculum

Hi! I'm Jeanne. I am a 38-year veteran of education and 2012 retiree as a middle school Health Educator in the Orchard Park School District just outside of Buffalo, New York.

Firstly, I would like to thank you for making the course, "Making a Good Brain Great" available to schools, and to sing its praises.

Our school district purchased "Making a Good Brain Great Course Curriculum" in the summer of 2011, so that I could use it in my 2011-12 8th grade Health classes. (Health classes meet daily for only 10 weeks). Even in this short time, your curriculum made a difference in the lives and health of my young students. In particular, M.P. stayed after class one day, and told me how this class has been the best class he EVER had and how it should be a requirement for all students. This was a student who, because of so many "thinking problems", was continually truant from school the previous year...but not this past year. Brain health helped him understand himself so he could joyously attend and participate in school. I thought you should know about the significant impact your work has had on this young man.

At the end of each quarter, I asked for their comments and their "MILE" (Most Important Learning Everyday). I was so pleased that many shared brain health (and its nutrition component) as the most important learning during the quarter. They even shared brain health with their parents! S.R. bought your cookbook for his mother for Christmas. How cool is that? R.B. frequently requested the lavender incense to help calm him on “bad” days. Still, D.F. and his mother were inspired to investigate the Irlen Syndrome after seeing how words can move on a page. Here's where I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

I videotaped students performing cooperative skits and presentations demonstrating their learning. They were humorous, creative, insightful, and indicative of what they learned from this curriculum. What they learned makes sense to them. This curriculum, by itself, is sufficient for the entire scope of the New York State health education mandates.

Going a bit further...
In addition to middle school health, for the past 5 years, I have served as a classroom instructor for high school driver education. Even though the curriculum is about driving, I insist on spending a class or two referencing your work on brain health. After all, isn't the brain involved in driving?

And a bit more…
Through anonymous evaluations, the educators who have enrolled in my professional development courses have raved about your research and "prescriptions" after participating in one or more book studies using your book, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life". In addition, I have shared your work with our school's Athletic Director who now owns your book, and appreciates your research, especially given the fact that our school holds a two time Class AA title as the New York State High School Football Champions (2008 and 2011).

(Posted on 9/10/12)