Press & Praise for SiteLines Education

SiteLines in the News

Environment Awareness
By Joel Hoekstra
Minnesota Magazine

Teaching Outside the Box
By Phillip Koski
Architecture Minnesota

Awards

Praise for SiteSeeing: Making Neighborhoods Visible

"The experiences the students and I received were excellent. The lessons were educational and fun, well planned and easy to understand. It was a very rewarding experience for us all and I would like to participate in the program again."

– Val, Teacher, Bethune Elementary, Spring 2003

"The Program is a rewarding hands on learning experience not only for the kids involved but also for professionals teaching. It allowed for a continuous exchange of ideas that truly inspired me!"

– Shawntera Hardy, Planner, St. Paul Planning and Economic Development

"Teaching SiteSeeing was one of the most rewarding experiences of my education thus far. I believe I learned as much from the students as I hope they learned from me. This program also encourages the students to teach others what they have learned and helps them realize their ideas are legitimate and respected by community leaders and they can, and will, make a difference."

– Laura, University of Minnesota Student, Fall 2005

"The Benjamin E. Mays International Magnet School had the good fortune of meeting and working with a remarkable woman this school year. Mary DeLaittre is the author of a program for middle years students (grades 4-8) that teaches SiteSeeing. The program focuses on community planning and design that retains the integrity of the environment while meeting the needs of its citizens.

As an International Baccalaureate/Primary Years Programme, our school designed a Unit of Inquiry based upon Ms. DeLaitte's program. The unit was entitled, "Yours, Mine, Ours," which was designed to help students investigate the concept of urban planning for a community with consideration to current and future residents and their needs.

Our teachers worked very closely with Ms. DeLaittre and an organization called the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Assembly of Architects to develop the unit. Subsequently, the Assembly of Architects met with our students each Friday for eight weeks teaching them urban planning terms and concepts, guiding them on an exploration of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and facilitating students' community designs. The unit culminated with student presentations to the mayor of Saint Paul, Chris Coleman, City Councilman Debbie Montgomery, and County Commissioner, Toni Carter.

Our students grew in knowledge and awareness tremendously through Ms. DeLaittre's program. I would highly recommend it to any school. It is the type of knowledge set that goes beyond the basic skills and takes students to another level of learning and understanding."

– Graneze Fretwell, Ed.D., Principal
Benjamin E. Mays Magnet for Communication Arts and Leadership

Praise for SiteSeeing CD

"I thought the meeting on Thursday was one of the most productive that I have been to regarding Dayton's Bluff. I hope this continues to go forward. I was impressed by the fact there is an actual vision being set forth. It makes me hopeful that Dayton's Bluff will continue to strive forward to return to a family-safe working class neighborhood."

– Linda Charpentier, Resident, City of St. Paul