Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels     

History of Key Events & Accomplishments

KidzAmerica and Gary Goldman has been active for the past thirty-five years in Chicago public schools, and many schools and communities across the USA and England.  Since 1984 we've been dedicated to student empowerment, staff development, and community building.  
  • Piloted first TQM/TQE school-wide effort (student/teacher/parent/community quality teams) at 2nd largest Chicago Public high school in 1988
  • Developed district-wide student leadership for 44 CPS elementary schools in 1990
  • Trained national student leaders and met with White House officials on education issues in 1992
  • Piloted successful Parent Leadership: Dare to Dream series for Cabrini Green parents and children and CPS Parent Resource Center in 1993
  • Designed and moderated historic city-wide Town Meeting with 1000 students and education/community leaders in 1994 and follow-up Student Conference in 1995
  • Trained over 500 corporate leaders/executives at Chicagoland Chamber's Youth Motivation Program that impact city-wide CPS high schools 1993-95
  • Developed a model school in Michigan (1991-95) with 80% of student body involved in school improvement. Dramatic improvements in academic, dropouts, and discipline. Featured on nationwide TV and selected as one of top 50 schools in country by ASCD/NASSP
  • An Executive Recommendation from the Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public Schools (1995) for "an outstanding leadership program for students and adults."
  • Designed CHAMPS: Quality Student Learning Pilot program for Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools that improves achievement and student behavior, and creates a learning community in 1996
  • Published book, " Empowering Students to Transform Schools " in 1998
  • Invited to England, London and Birmingham, Community Education Development Center (CEDC), to present workshops to School Headmasters on, "Empowering Students to Transform Schools.
  • Developed pilot youth-centered schools in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, New Mexico, Utah (1988-2002)
  • Designed new model, Youth-Centered Communities, and piloted in East Chicago, Indiana, Marietta, Ohio, and Berwyn, Illinois (2000-2002)
  • Developed and facilitated numerous Youth/Community Forums to showcase youth ideas and solutions for building a better community (1994-2002)
  • Collaborated with a team of leaders in a nationwide initiative, Youth Empowerment Partnerships (YEP) that will mobilize millions of our nation’s youth to create effective 21st century schools and transformed communities
  • Harper High School, Englewood, School-wide leadership w/ students and staff; multi-media assembly, off-site leadership retreat and school-wide painting project. 2014
  • The ARK of St. Sabina, Auburn Gresham, under Father Pfleger, School-wide leadership assembly and town hall meeting identifying community issues and solutions 2015-2016
  • Guest teaching, K-12, for CSTN, Kokua, Parallel Education, and District 65 in providing life skills, leadership and social-emotional development support linked to standard lesson plans.
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