"I am writing to thank you for conducting such a interesting workshop last week. My colleagues and I are still talking about how impressive the visual of the United States population composition was...I told my Head of School, and many others, how striking it was to see the population composition now verses later, and the adult population verses the children...etc. My Head of School is interested in seeing this. The conference motivated me to make an appointment with my Head to offer to be even more involved in our diversity efforts here. Your presentation was inspiring to my colleagues and to me."
Yolanda Toney
"From the first time I heard a 'professional' educator tell me that they did not expect much of me, I realized that I wanted to be an educator, too. Those that expected less of me, exemplified what I did not want to be like. Education, in all lights, has endless expectations and possibilities that individuals cannot measure. Being an educator is truly a gift to humanity, so what one teaches will always indirectly and/or directly affect them, and our world community."
Rachel Parrish, First Grade Teacher, Member The Bentley School, Oakland, CA
"Dear Orpheus: My husband, Winfield Bryan, and I can't thank you ENOUGH for getting Rachel Parrish to give Bentley a chance. THANK YOU!!"
Tracey Anne Stinson, Mother of Armand, 1st Grade
"Hi Orpheus: Just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated your discussion tonight in the Color of Friendship room. You got middle-schoolers to talk – bravo! Thank you! It was a wonderful evening. Jessie loved it all!"
Jen Gorovitz, Parent at Windrush School, El Cerrito, CA
"Orpheus, I wish a million times I had contacted you in July or August when Ian gave me your name as a contact person. You have been extremely helpful. The day , I e-mailed you with my personal statement and resume, I received within an hour time, a phone call from you and that same evening Eagle Rock contacted me. I have spoken to Robert several times from Eagle Rock. He certainly seem to be an ok guy. A few days later, I was hearing from the French International School in San Francisco, Lakeside, Bush and Calhoun. These are all wonderful schools. I have been really impressed by you familiarity with such famous and good institutions. Last week, Bentley also contacted me. They all seem keen on hiring or interviewing me for math positions for next year. I can't say how much I appreciate what you did for me. I have not met you but I feel as if I already know you. You seem to be extremely patience and a person who listens to his clients. I can tell you take a special interest in your clients. That was certainly the case with me. You certainly seem to have some very good connections and contacts. I would certainly use you again. I will definitely recommend you to other candidates. Please feel free to use me as a reference. I look forward to meeting you."
Mattie Boyce, Math Teacher
"I thank you for helping give me the language to push things along and for your support!! It took one day!! We will be in touch!! Peace!! Shalom and Salaam!!!"
Nitza Azam, faculty member Sacred Heart Schools, CA
"Thanks for the encouragement Orpheus. I really needed to hear it today! You are a blessing in our community."
Monique Pittman-Lui, KS
"Well Orpheus, You have done it again! Great articles and information, all this from an "old, radical, Latina!" Be well my a friend and may you continue to do the work that you do so well."
Olivia Brown, CA
"Orph: Again, it was a fantastic opportunity to run SCI-FY this summer, thanks again for bringing me on board. You're right, we did "make a difference" in each of their lives -- I know this and I need to keep reminding me of this. When will any of them ever have a two-week intensive academic progrm lead and taught primarily by two AA bruthas.... And with you holding down BFOIT, I'm sure they've never been part of a program where three African American "bruthas" were leading similar programs for youth at the same time and at the same place. Everything happens for a reason. Still to this day, whenever I share my story of how I got involved in teaching AND how I was turned on to "coaching", I'm always talking about this "cat named Orph" who always takes care of me. I don't say this lightly... you have truly provided opportunities for me to do some incredible work and "make a difference", and these opportunities have had a huge impact on who I am as a person (and becoming), as a husband/partner, and as a father. From Summerbridge in '93, to SCI-FY in '06, I say thank you! I know I'm one of many that have a similar Orph story - you are truly a warrior for social justice. peace, Mark"
"Good morning Orpheus! I would like to thank you and your program for making my dreams come true. i have already spread the word to some of my friend in collage about your program. What you did to me can not be measured, and all i can say is thank you...! thank you...! thank you..! If for some reason you want to talk to me or you need my help at any time, fell free to contact me at ( ) or you can email me. Again' thank you Strategenius!"
Ephraim
"Hey Orpheus - Ephraim is doing great! The kids love him and he seems happy. He pops by every now and then to see me but just from seeing him around campus, I think he is adjusting well. I know that the drama class he is helping in is throwing him and their drama teacher a party today following a very successful 5th grade mime show! Thanks for sending Ephraim to us!"
Jana D. Simons, Assistant to Assistant Headmaster, Episcopal School of Dallas
"Ayodele is great. I have had only very positive feedback from everyone at school. He is a great help with the football team, and he and I plan to do some workshops with the seventh and eighth graders. We are also considering consulting him on our traffic flow problems, seeing that that is his area. He also expressed interest in the POCC conference, and the school has agreed to his attending, so we will both see you there."
Jenny, Saint Mark's School, CA
"Hi O- Hope this finds you doing very well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the information you've been sending. I sent the Women's Month info on to some faculty here at HM. I didn't get to read the Chinese New Year one. Can you resend it to me or is it out of circulation already?? Send it if you can. Take good care, Cheryl"
"Hey Mr. Crutchfield, Thank you for reaching out and getting in contact with all of us. I know I speak for many others when I say that you truly inspired your students to think beyond their confines. I'm sure you can agree from your own experience that our teachers are some of the most influential people in our lives. You are of course one of these people, and I can't emphasize enough the role you and my other most memorable teachers have played in personally inspiring me to go to graduate school to eventually become a Professor of Sociology. Thank you for your kindness, self-sacrifice, and generosity. You hold a special place in my heart. I wish you all the best."
Gianmarco Savio (former First Grade Student- Town School for Boys, 1990)
"Mr. Crutchfield, Amazing to wake up and see your name on my email. Truly great. I am sitting here at my desk in my apartment and of course your picture is still on my bulletin board, though it is slightly faded. It's from the 1991 yearbook so it's a little faded, but it's been up there all this time. I am in law school now downtown at UC Hastings. Maybe one of these days we can get together for coffee or something. Great to hear from you."
Alex Casnocha (former First Grade Student- Town School for Boys, 1990)