American Dream DVD Series Teacher Feedback Survey

A recent online teacher survey showed that all of the respondents who are already using the American Dream DVD Series in their classrooms plan to continue doing so.  Similarly, all the respondents agreed that the activities proposed in the accompanying educational materials were either “very effective” or “reasonably effective” in encouraging discussion about immigration in the classroom.  The vast majority of the respondents believe the series helped their students understand the positive impact of immigrants on America. 

Teachers’ Responses from Online Survey:

“The new Mexican Immigration Experience DVD was awesome for liberating my students from their fixed views.” –Susan Deodhar, U.S. History teacher from Illinois

“Showing [my students] others like them that have ‘made it’ is a very powerful motivator.  I could see in [my students’] eyes how many were relating to the stories.  It was an eye-opening experience for all of us.” –Maricela Lazarin, American Legal System and Legal Research teacher from Texas

“The real impact of this series for me was really in generating general discussion about immigration in our nation's history.  My community has undergone a very real shift in demographics over the past 15 years (to a 65% Asian-American majority), and there are many young people who have much to think about the subject…  The selections provoked much more thought and reflection than any conclusion about immigration.  Many students had some deep soul searching moments during and after the DVDs. Some have continued to want to talk about it with their families and friends and in class.” –Kevin Fox, A.P. Government teacher from California

“Timely material in wake of the anti-immigrant movement in American today.  It gives a positive and accurate account of the impact of immigrants who have aspirations like all Americans.” –Beverly Ledbetter, World History teacher from Florida

Additional Teacher Feedback:

“I received a copy of your DVD with some Scholastic materials I use.  Thank you so much!  I just got it, and I've already used a couple of segments to provide background and thought provoking questions for an historical novel we're beginning to read in my English classes.  It is a pleasure to teach with such high quality materials.” –Claudia Dorsey, Language Arts teacher from Utah

“I find that my students get a better understanding of the text materials when I can refer to a visual image that we share.  It's great to be able to build upon the themes and concepts your DVDs put forth and use them as a springboard to a greater understanding of what we have to cover in our California state standards.” –Ernesto Quiroz, High School History and Government teacher from California and Teachers Advisory Board member

“Excellent teaching tools to help students understand the positive impacts of immigration.  The media tends to focus on the negative, so this series was a breath of fresh air.  Thanks!” –Kim Grosenbacher, American Government teacher from Texas

Teachers Advisory Board