Testimonials

"Along with special time with my family, the virtues training was a highlight of my summer. Thank you so much for creating such a safe, beautiful space to come together and your caring and warmth are so wonderful. I really felt your heartfelt generosity as you shared your knowledge." -Nancy Nord Kanagy, Napa, CA

"It was a wonderful experience to participate and become part of this extraordinary project. We, acknowledge you, for being so patient and resolved. By sharing your wisdom our spirit found a new dimension of hope."-Drs. Jose Castrodad and Raquel Castrodad, Puerto Rico

*"Betsy is a dynamic, energetic, inspiring presenter. Her knowledge of the virtues and the five life skill strategies of The Virtues Project™ is deeply rooted in her years of intensives with myself and Dr. Dan Popov, and her integrity in "walking the talk." She was one of the first individuals to whom we gave the right to become a trainer of facilitators because of her excellence, knowledge and skills." -Linda Kavelin Popov, co-founder of The Virtues Project*

"The virtues changed our lives. We are implementing it at home, and the other day, before a very hard day, I picked a card to help me. it was kindness… I took it with me and it was like a miracle… changed the day and all the attitude. Last Friday all my family came for dinner and we did a reflection eveving. I don't know if you remember the stories about my mom (… ), but this evening was something we didn't have for years. amazing!!!" -Introduction to The Virtues Project Webinar participant

"This was the most useful in-service I have attended in my 15 years of teaching." -Lisa Blackwell, Darby Public Schools, Darby, MT

"I enthusiastically recommend Betsy Lydle Smith and The Virtues Project to any school or district looking for a strong character education program led by a dynamic facilitator." -Chuck Wegner, Director of Curriculum, Pocotello/Chubbuck School District, Pocotello, ID

"The last 3 days have been an indescribably awakening, spiritual and inspirational experience for me. Thank you SO much. -Mary Douglass, Edmonds, WA

“I truly value the work you are doing with my staff. I believe in the power of the Virtues program to transform a building and community.” -Johnnie Gregory, Principal, Clyde Hill Elementary School, Bellevue, WA

"After attending the Virtues Training I've noticed that I have more joyfulness in my day to day parenting.-Natasha Nimmo, Bellevue, WA

“At Nanoose Bay Elementary School the Virtues Program has been the bedrock of our school community for almost nine years. We have richly embraced the gifts of this powerful character building program and used it as the foundation for everything that we do with children. The Virtues animate our approach to learning and discipline, and help us to build a community of learners who aspire to practice the universal values of respect, responsibility, cooperation and peacefulness. We believe that the Virtues Program helps us to continually focus on what is most important in our role as educators: to ignite children’s spirits and guide them to grow into compassionate, committed citizens.” -Steve Hamilton, Principal, BC, Canada

"The Virtues presentation was the most valuable part of this year's conference. I'm using this in my troop immediately. I will implement it into my trainings." -Trainer, Girl Scouts-Totem Council, Seattle, WA

"The highlights of this training were the activities of sharing, virtues picks, storytelling, practice in speaking the language, our group presentation, modeling of the facilitators and Betsy's humility, clarity and respect. Excellent pacing! This training really touched my spirit deeply." -D. Hastings, Vancouver, BC

"I hear nothing but positive comments about your program. You really are making a super positive impact in the District, Bellevue and apparently the world at large!" -Karla Moreno, middle school teacher, Bellevue, WA

"Incorporating The Virtues Project™ into our school is absolutely seamless. We have incorporated it into our regular curriculum, our class and school rules, and our student and teacher interactions. Our students and staff have become more considerate, tolerant, and in integrity in the four years we have used this program." -Betsy Hill, former Principal, Medina Elem. School, Medina, WA

"This is the first time in all of my teaching that I can see the impact of what I'm teaching right now!" -Pat Hannam, Health & Family Life teacher, Lakes H.S., Lakewood, WA

"The value of The Virtues Project in the Domestic Violence population is the gift of language that immediately affects their life, their behavior, both interpersonal and intrapersonal, and their positive strengths and courage to guide the behavior and character development of their children. Virtues language empowers because it offers hope through personal ownership and recognition." -Jacqueline Dalloul Wildhirt, Shasta County Domestic Violence Shelters and Transitional Housing, CA

"One of the reasons Phantom Lake was interested in learning about how to incorporate the virtues into our school culture was to support student behavior. This year, we have seen a decrease in office referrals, which is, we believe, a positive outcome of teaching the virtues to students. Now, even if children do need to come to the office to discuss inappropriate behavior, we are now able to use the language of virtues to help the students identify the virtue that was missing from their actions and what they can do differently do demonstrate the virtue in the future." -Tracy Maury, Principal, Phantom Lake Elem., Bellevue, WA

"I appreciated being able to share on a deeper level with my colleagues. This was an excellent presentation, well-paced, and very practical." -Teacher, Tok School, Tok, AK

"Thank you for organizing and providing this wonderful opportunity for learning."-Lulu Camacho, Tubac, AZ

"I feel empowered to deal with difficult situations gracefully. I really appreciated getting to know my co-workers in a deeper way." -Teacher, Enatai Elem., Bellevue, WA

"Betsy, you are a fabulous facilitator! I honor you for sharing your virtue of commitment to this program!" -participant, Introduction to The Virtues Project, Issaquah, WA

"The Virtues Project has truly transformed every aspect of my life. As a teacher, I now have tools to help me in positive communication with students. I remain calm and have the words when a challenging situation presents itself. As a mother, I wish I had had these tools when my children were younger! But even with grown children, our relationships have been strengthened with the tools to support each other when challenges arise." -Linda Myrick, Bellevue, WA

"The most helpful part of this workshop was working as a team to reach a common goal." -Sally Kieffer, Trapper Creek Job Corps staff, Darby, MT

"Thanks for the class. It is already improving my learning & approach to teaching. My vocabulary is becoming more specific and I feel my classes and students' understanding and participation are stronger! Great class!" -Teacher, Bellevue School District, Bellevue, WA

"Thank you, Betsy, for such a beautiful job presenting and representing The Virtues Project. Your helpful spirit is so encouraging." -Jessica Powell, teacher, Nampa, ID

"I have to admit that of the three years I taught at Medina, the thing I am most proud of from my teaching is how the Virtues were used in my classroom. It offered so many incredible teachable moments, that I feel had the most impact on my students of anything I taught them." -Julie Doan, 2nd grade teacher

"Betsy Lydle Smith engaged every adult in the discussion, helping them identify and "own" their virtues. This personal approach allowed for deep reflection and transfer of knowledge to help individuals focus on our students. Our teachers have remembered and applied the skills learned in the Virtues training." -Jill McLeod, former Principal, Bellevue, WA

"It made me really think about the way I see other students at my school. I got to really know the people in my group and see them in a different way." -High school student, YMCA Conference for Teens and Police, Marysville, WA

"I will use friendliness now. I never talk to anyone at school; I usually sit by myself, but now I will make an effort to talk to others. I know I have this virtue of friendliness." -High school student, YMCA Connections Conference, Everett, WA