About En4ed //

Past Comments

This page features a brief history of Enrichment for Educators, and --because the best way to find out about us is to hear from your colleagues who have taken our classes in the past-- comments from real educators working at schools near you (and far away, too) about what our classes have meant to them. These comments span the last several years, and many of them come from people who have returned to our classes multiple times. 

Established in 2001

Some time in 1999, Larry became a National Board Certified teacher, and decided to complete service hours by teaching a salary point class. He enjoyed the experience enough to ask the salary point advisor (at that time: Eric Grow) to mentor him on how to provide great professional development for fellow educators. These conversations led to the forming of Enrichment for Educators, and we have been offering out-of-this-world classes for educators since 2001. For the first several years, En4ed was a partnership between Larry and Eric. Then, when Eric was promoted by LAUSD and could no longer be involved in the same way, one of our best and brightest former participants, John Wood, became the other partner. So the main partners of En4ed are now John and Larry. Eric continues to appear at many of our classes as a guest presenter, and deserves much of the credit for the success of our classes.     

Who Are We?

Larry Carstens teaches English at Francis Polytechnic HS, in Sun Valley​, and on some evenings at College of the Canyons, in Santa Clarita. He enjoys reading and writing, and is "nerdy" enough to like both Star Trek AND Star Wars, and even Guardians of the Galaxy.

John Wood recently retired from Hollywood High School, where he taught history for many years. He and his wife are both retired teachers, and both former participants in En4ed classes. He and his wife are also "hands-on grandparents." And he continues to teach teachers through En4ed!

While Eric Grow is no longer an En4ed partner, he deserves some mention here. We refer to him as "the guru" since he was really the brain behind much of the content and success of En4ed, especially in the early years. He remains a valuable friend and guest presenter for the classes we offer.

Comments from past participants (listed alphabetically by names of schools)

Comments from Teachers at 
​Schools with names starting with A-G

"Each class has been very helpful because we get to share field experiences, and learn so much from each other."
              --Maria Duran, Byrd MS
​
"En4ed is amazing! Not only is this 2 salary points, but you get to experience so many amazing museums and historical locations. And Larry and John are just the best ever!"
​               --Sara Kert, Delevan Dr. ES

Would you recommend En4ed? "Absolutely. This type of learning will benefit my colleagues across subject areas, and also benefit students by bringing them to our local sites."
                --Wendy Madnick, Canoga Park HS

"This taught me so much [that I plan] to use in the classroom. There were so many ideas. En4ed is the best way to get units."
                 --Josephine Ganji-Arami, Danube ES

"Best class I've taken!"
              --Cynthia Kholos, Belmont HS

"I loved it all, and can't wait to share it with students and colleagues... [the En4ed leaders] are not just funny guys, but smart, relevant, and I loved being in their class!"
               --Cari Philpott, Canoga Park ES

"Now I feel much more informed about the Mexican and Spanish history of California. I was inspired by the very creative ways people tied the content to different subjects."
                --Ashley Aulden, Dayton Heights ES

"I learned more about California history than I've ever learned before. And I enjoyed the variety of teacher presentations."
                 --Emily Steward, Delevan Dr. ES

"Of course! [I would recommend En4ed classes.] The instructors are friendly and very, very cool!"
                --Fraulien Manligas, Edison MS

"This class made the sites come alive and gave me interesting insights in all areas. The presenters make each field trip worthwhile."
               --Anthony Reymann, Eastman Ave. ES

"This experience was truly remarkable."
               --Marcos Dafaee, Francis Polytechnic HS

"There really are no drawbacks. I can't think of any aspect I'd like to see changed. "
                 --Maxine Bush, Fulton College Prep

Comments from Teachers at 
​Schools with names starting with H-P

"I am excited to take more of these courses. After 28 years of teaching, I am finally near the top of the pay scale."
                    --Jill Kalbrosky, Hancock Park ES''

"These classes are the best way to gain salary points: much better than online classes or district classes."
                     --Janelle Nehrenberg, Marshall HS

"[The instructors] constantly provide a wealth of information and connect us with docents that are very knowledgeable about all the sites. I love... the ability to meet on Saturdays! An excellent experience all around!"
​                    --Dreena Joy Castillo, Portola MS

"I found new ways to enrich my curriculum while exploring the city."
​                     --Alice Nezu, Hollywood HS

"I have learned so much about the history of Los Angeles from En4ed. I'm finding out about the people who were responsible for creating, inhabiting, and redefining the city."
                --Chelsea Hinton, Korenstein ES

"I love taking these classes. I learn so much about Los Angeles, and I don't have to sit at a desk. I think it's the most painless way to earn salary points."
                  --Ashley Rogers, LD6 Dance Instructor

"I truly enjoyed going to the sites... [and] hearing my colleagues' interpretations: all their creativity and knowledge. Thank you for providing a great way to earn salary points."
                  --Gloria Osorio, Loman Spec. Ed. Center

"I love making friends in these classes. I will definitely take your classes again!"
                     --Bridgette Yellen, Los Feliz ES

"I got so many ideas from my colleagues about ways to teach California history. I also enjoyed our visits to the various historical sites."
                     --Clare Gardner, Marquez Charter ES

Would you recommend En4ed? "Absolutely! I love the collegiality!"
                   --Robin Vander Mei-Roos, McAlister HS

"I am so happy to have been referred to Enrichment for Educators. Everyone should take the opportunity to learn in a fun, out-going and stress free class --with doughnuts!"
                   --Sian Eddington, Palms MS
​'
"This class enriched my knowledge and sparked an interest in the history of not only California, but Los Angeles and American history."
                     --Jolanta Frankiewicz, Olive Vista MS

Comments from Teachers at 
​Schools with names starting with Q-Z

"I always learn a lot. Not having grown up in California, the site visits teach me a lot about California history. Thank you so much for some great classes!"
​                   --Kathy Leckie, Rosemont ES

"These classes are a perfect blend of fun, knowledge, and new experiences, without undue stress or excessive work. I am finished with salary points. Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
​                   --Theresa Cayia, Sepulveda MS

"These classes are not boring and the instructors are very knowledgeable and funny, and very understanding."
​                   --Jorge Boche, Van Nuys MS

"It's the best opportunity I've discovered to earn salary points!"
                    --Wendy Kennar, Rosewood Ave. ES

"These classes are fabulous, fun and educational, and what I learn here, I actually use in my classroom!"
                    --Ana Rubio, San Antonio ES

"Thank you for running a great class. It was a great experience."
                    --Grant Beachley, San Pedro HS

"This series of classes has been the best possible choice I could have made to earn salary points and expand my knowledge of California history and other subjects. Thank you for a wonderful experience."
                   --Rananah Lubovitch, Second St. ES

"There aren't many classes I am eager to go to on a Saturday, but I was motivated to come to this class. I really learned a lot and it was fun!"
                     --Margaret Wells, Sutter MS

"It was extremely effective. I utilize a lot of what I learn in my classes. They (En4ed) have a fantastic combination of substance and style."
          --Scotty Stewart, Woodland Hills Academy

"For anyone out there who's never taken these wonderful Saturday classes, I just wanted to let you know that I love these classes above all others. I don't feel like I'm wasting my hours with some generic, boring salary point thing. We go to all these fabulous sites, and we learn so much more than we (or at least I) thought we knew. The instructors are my absolute favorite instructors of all time!"
             --Patricia Pinkston, Virgil MS