Each year, hundreds of families pass
through the IMagic doors to receive private instruction or to attend
a class or workshop series.
"Now I just love writing. I just write
and write and write. I got all the way to the bottom of the page and I didn't even notice!"
--Mitchell, age 7
"Cara's fifteen-hour Family Learning Traditions course is by far the greatest
and most enlightening course we have ever taken. The effect that it has had and the exciting potential it holds for our family
is staggering. We have five children, and did not think we needed to attend when we were asked to participate, especially
since they are all terrific readers. My wife has a degree in early childhood education and I completed graduate work in geology.
However, the class has changed our thought process, as well as our plans for the younger children. It has given us so much
to work with as we develop as a family unit. The tools that have been provided have given us keys to unlock doors that we
did not even know were locked."
--Dave
and Suzi Diem
Cara Day has been a Godsend! She has helped
our daughter academically and with gaining confidence in herself and her abilities. Cara is patient, warm, and uses her tremendous
sense of humor to connect with children! These things paired with the talent she has in teaching make for immediate success!
We are so grateful for her instruction and support. Seeing Cara on a regular basis has made a major difference in our daughter's
success in school—as well has her perception of her own abilities. She has gained confidence and participates more in
class. We will continue to learn from her for years to come!
--Shani Dillon
"We had been told our fourth grade son would never read above a second-grade level
because of a learning disability. Cara always says, 'We do things with our abilities, not our disabilities.' She quickly
brought our son to a strong sixth-grade level. This has changed not only our son's life--but our family's daily life."
--The Stewart Family
"Cara, your teaching style, dynamic presentation and use of handouts, coupled with
your vast knowledge on this subject, made the difference in this class. The resources you provided to us, and the tools you
gave us, are overwhelming. We can't thank you enough for your time in class and your preparation that made this class
what it is."
--The Hayman Family
"Before this class, no one had ever
explained to me verbally or in writing exactly what simple, but important steps are needed to encourage a child to read and
love reading. Cara has made it so easy by condensing all of the important facts. This, and the many other stories and ideas
that Cara shares is just a wealth of information that all families need to know about. She reminds me of a white Oprah!"
--Dave, Mary, Vaughn and Melissa
"Our daughter's third grade teacher communicates regularly with Cara to discuss our daughter's progress.
The teacher referred us to IMagic and we have been very happy with the changes in her. She used to avoid homework at
all costs. Now, her confidence in class and her desire to get right on top of things academically is obvious to
us, her teacher and even our relatives."
--The Lucas Family
"We first came two years ago because our son was significantly behind in reading and writing.
He has been well-above grade level for a long time, but we continue bringing him to Cara because it is such a great experience
for him. I have told her he'll be with her until he's eighteen!"
--The Tyler Family
"Our high school senior was at-risk for not being
admitted to a college which had scouted him for first-string football. Cara helped him reach the SAT score he needed for entry
and remediated his overall reading comprehension and basic writing skills. Now, she edits his papers, prepares his study guides
and helps him stay ahead in all subjects. His stress level is much lower knowing he will be able to maintain his GPA and play
football.
--The Brandt Family
As a mother of five children who already know how to read, I was
reluctant to commit to a workshop series about reading and writing. Boy, was I surprised when the first 3-hour class ended
and I felt like it had just started! I have learned so much. It wasn't only about that, but so much more. I already told
my child's first grade teacher that I think every teacher and parent should attend Cara's classes!
--Clark Family
As a school administrator, it is sometimes difficult to get my staff or parent groups to listen, even when
the information is important. When Cara speaks, you can hear a pin drop! Her presentations are dynamic and full of great information--motivating
parents to action. About 54 people attended the first workshop. By the last class, 75 or so were coming--fathers, grandparents.
It was wonderful.
--Superintendent, Jamul-Dulzura
Union School District
Before attending this workshop, our TV was on all the time. When I came home from the first
class, my kids wanted to hear the ideas and projects right away. It has been a week and I can say the TV has been off without
me saying a word about it. We are busy doing better things.
-- The Sherwood Family
When Cara said the workshop
would change our family culture, I wasn't sure what that meant. Now, I can see that it has affected how I interact with
my children in every area from school work, homework, chores and behavioral issues. My husband and I are discussing things
we never had before.
-- The Ashton Family
The early literacy workshop I attended
was --WOW !! I know things now that even some elementary school teachers probably arent aware of. I feel empowered to help
my child. The materials were incredible and so motivating. There was no question that I took things away from the workshop
that are valuable now and for the future.
--The Miller Family
Now I know how
to get ready for the SAT. The class went step-by-step. I know my weak points. I'm not wasting any more time because I
know what I need to do.
-- The Cozart
Family
My son typically says one or two words when I ask him
about things relating to school. After Cara's SAT workshop, he kept talking about the class. He felt smart, like he had
really learned something new.
--The Hornsby Family
Happy Kids Class Reviews
This was a wonderful class and learned a lot about my children, but especially about myself. This
information should be given to all mothers at the hospital when they give birth! There will be major changes at our house
due to your wonderful research and sharing.
Your
incredible way will go very far. Thank you for three hours that will last a lifetime.
You are such a gift! The class was great. So much information and it flowed
easily.
This class had many great ideas
and you were inspiring. It made me want to run home and begin a new way of living with my family!
Solid information, great examples. Practical. Thanks for a fun and educational
evening! The book will be a great reminder and stimulator. Love the "love focus."
I have enjoyed this class so much. I want to attend your other classes. Your
skills on issues are fantastic. I'm fascinated and want to learn more.
I'm leaving this class with great new ideas to bring family time together. I'm going to be
a more positive parent, both with my kids and myself. You're an inspiration and give real-life strategies for raising
a "happy child." Thank you.
Thank you, thank you. I would
like to attend other workshops.
You are a great speaker and
there is so much information to absorb! I look forward to the next class.
What a wonderful philosophy. You're a fantastic communicator.
A mother of fourth-grade twin girls who had been born two months premature was told by her daughters' school that the
girls would be unable to read beyond a kindergarten level. She did not want to accept this and came to Cara for instruction.
After nine months of instruction, the girls read with ease at a sixth-grade level. They are now in eighth-grade, mainstream
classes at their middle school. Their hands are up, their smiles are wide, and they know they can do just about anything--regardless
of the nay-sayers.
A tenth-grade boy who was reading at a fourth-grade level came to Cara for services. His mother
was a teacher and knew he needed specialized intervention. When he began instruction, he lacked confidence. He could not maintain
eye contact and he didn't believe he had what it took to be a competent reader or student. After seven one-hour sessions
with Cara, he was comprehending at a 12th grade level. He had no major processing or perception issues- - he had simply been
poorly instructed, overlooked and pushed-on since the first grade. After nine years of hanging his head in class and causing
trouble instead of learning, he has changed his attitude. The student's teacher called Cara on several occasions after
that to learn how to help some of his other students and eventually to set up an in-service for the staff at his school. Cara
continues to provide educational support to the private school this student attended, even though he has since moved on to
college.
The parents of a third-grade boy living in Orange county initially did not want to drive two hours
to see Cara, but when three independent parties recommended her services to them, including their child's doctor, they believed
it might be worth the drive. They had already tried many options to help their son, who had been struggling in school.
After spending more than $9,000 at a popular learning center as well as having the child's classroom teacher work with
him after school, they came for private instruction with Cara. Their son finally got the instruction he needed to succeed.
Every other school or teacher had told the parents their child had ADHD and that he had insurmountable behavioral problems.
It wasn't true. He had been unfairly and repeatedly put into environments where he was expected to do things he had not
developed the skills to do. The school could not provide the instruction he needed. As is so often the case in this type of situation,
the blame is put on "deficiencies" of the child, rather than on the inability of the school to provide excellent
specialized instruction. After 16 hours of instruction with Cara, the third-grader was comprehending with exceptionally high
rates of fluency at a fifth-grade level. He learned about his inner brilliance and mastered a task he had been repeatedly
told he was incapable of doing. He fell in love with authors, got excited about interacting with text and even published his
own books during his time with her. . At the beginning of the next school year, they hired Cara to attend meetings
in Orange County to ensure proper placements and instructional programs for their son. This student no longer has difficulties
in the classroom and his current teacher stated that she cannot believe he was ever labelled with ADHD. He continues "book
exchange" via mail to this day and loves to complete her directed reading and thinking assignments.