Testimonials
Hear what people have been saying about Time Travel Journeys!
Students
“My journey revealed that when I was younger, I didn’t think or plan out why I was going to do something, I just did it, so I think a message I could give myself now could be “why not do it now?”
Alli, CFS, MS
“Reliving my toddler years was like digging deep into the ground and finding gold. Realizing how valuable that time of life is.”
Ruby, CFS, MS
“I guess I learned that I don’t have to grow up so fast if I don’t want to… I learned that I’ve been trying to grow up fast when what I really want is to slow down and find my pace.”
Harper, CFS, MS
“The main feeling that I had when I was traveling through these years was love. Because looking back I realized that I had so many amazing people in my life that loved and cared about me.”
Hannah, CFS, MS
"This project has made me remember how I used to be. It has given me a clear understanding of what makes me who I am. And finally, I have a glimpse of who I want to become.”
Declan, CFS, MS
“This class has taught me that I can still be a kid and I should make the best of it.”
John, CFS, MS
Teachers
“Mike Iskandar has created an extraordinary experience. I have watched students marvel at their younger selves and get excited about what the future might bring. Parents regularly report the transformative enthusiasm their children experience in this ‘time travel’ class.”
Henry, CFS, MS
“Particularly for the 7th and 8th graders who spend most of their time trying to not be kids, I think it was a pretty magical opportunity for them to focus on playfulness and on the qualities from their younger years that they spend a lot of time trying to be too cool for.”
Alice, CFS, MS
“It was so amazing for you to just hand this to us. It made our lives a lot easier just to start the year and know how we were going to start. I’m really thankful for that.”
Cassie, CFS, MS
“We can’t undervalue and underestimate the importance and significance of social emotional learning right now. This was a great way to start the year to get the kids in a positive mindset... It gave them a way to think of those positive and powerful things about themselves that they could take into the next trimester and beyond, and access those parts of themselves that they had left behind a little bit.”
Danielle, CFS, MS
“Middle School can be such a time of self doubt. Particularly at this time where there is so much extra weight added to the shell of who they are... Time Travel Journeys did a significant amount of help for students that I worked with to be able to reconnect themselves to a more positive version of themselves.”
Henry, CFS, MS
“Seventh graders are often too cool for things that involve enthusiasm or extra effort or that might make them look silly. The fort-building activity had everyone on board immediately, though. It got them problem-solving and thinking creatively, and it offered a comforting trip into nostalgic territory. All week long, kids were Zooming into my classes from their forts (and I was, too, to be honest). In a virtual environment, it was great to offer them an activity that not only brought them joy, but got them off the screens and using their hands.”
Alice, CFS, MS
Directors
“I get a thousand excited educators sharing a thousand exciting ideas weekly, but one has caught my eye… the notion is that one of the greatest resources kids have today is themselves, and if they can tap into their own past, sense of fun, wonder, and curiosity, and bring it forward to today, they will be more resilient, happier, and have greater efficacy.”
Director of Marketing Education, Microsoft
“My students LOVED the Time Travel Journeys. The program is thought-provoking and the activities are tactile in a way that appeals to all types of learners. Months later our students still bring it up! Mike was a fantastic facilitator and was able to get something special out of each of our campers. His facilitation style is thoughtful and fun bringing everyone into the conversation. We can’t wait to bring Time Travel Journeys back again!”
Jack Reitz, Director of Engagement, JCC
“Seventh graders are often too cool for things that involve enthusiasm or extra effort or that might make them look silly. The fort-building activity had everyone on board immediately, though. It got them problem-solving and thinking creatively, and it offered a comforting trip into nostalgic territory. All week long, kids were Zooming into my classes from their forts (and I was, too, to be honest). In a virtual environment, it was great to offer them an activity that not only brought them joy, but got them off the screens and using their hands.”
Alice, CFS, MS
“There were opportunities for individual reflection and both small and large group work that bonded students as a class. Our senior class is stronger for having taken this journey together.”
Lauren Brownlee, Head Teacher,
CFS Upper School
“Mike put an incredible amount of time and personalized attention in maintaining communication with the kids, their families and the surrounding community. This project is deeply grounded in learner self-efficacy and reflection, and Mike’s creativity and passion as both a designer and a teacher powerfully shine through.”
Amos Fodchuk, President, Advanced Learning Partnerships
Parents
“This class has given us a lot of opportunities to reminisce about my son’s wonderful qualities... Most importantly, he and I talked about his struggles as a little guy and how they were not his fault but just the way he was developing at the time. Thank you for this opportunity to connect with our boy!.”
CFS MS Mom
“My son has really enjoyed his time in your class. He spontaneously brings up conversations and reflective queries. Thanks for your creative and deeply engaging approach to learning.”
CFS MS Dad
“We think the time travel journeys camp was a great thinking and self-knowledge exercise. At times, our daughter has struggled to identify her passions. “Time traveling” was a wonderful opportunity to explore, both retrospectively and prospectively, what her interests are and how she can best apply those to her future.”