On the side
Cece steps workshop attendees through a series of exercises.
“Cece models very well how to teach from the heart... You have got to take this course, it will change the way you think, teach and approach learning.”
- Lorraine, Title I
Reading Teacher
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Address
98 Main Street
Kingston, MA 02364
Phone
781-936-8384
About Cecilia (Freeman) Koester, M.Ed.
Cecilia Koester, is internationally known for her work with children and adults who have special needs. She has worked since 1979 with children of all abilities––typically functioning, attention deficit/hyperactive, emotionally/behaviorally challenged, autistic, developmentally delayed, Downs Syndrome and severe handicaps. The remarkable and provocative book I Am the Child: Using Brain GymŪ with Children Who Have Special Needs, published in 1998, journaled Koester’s experiences over a two-year period as a teacher in a public school classroom, drawing out the gifts of eleven children who had complex developmental needs. This book is an inspirational book that offers the reader insights of the kinds of things that can be done with children who have severe physical challenges to improve their quality of life.
Since 1998, Koester has been teaching workshops throughout the USA, Singapore and Malaysia to teachers, counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists and parents. These workshops have been based on Brain GymŪ which is a program of 26 easy and enjoyable targeted activities/physical movements that enhance learning and performance in all areas. Over the years, however, Cecilia Koester has developed a movement-based learning curriculum that is unique in its approach. This curriculum specifically teaches adults how to work with any child–– resistant, unable to walk/talk, or a typically functioning child who is having difficulty focusing or reading. The uniqueness grows from the methods and techniques that are offered in her workshops. These “new tools” empower and guide the adult into an awareness of how to assist all children in their journey. Perhaps Cecilia’s greatest gift is being able to show you how/where she begins. Her grounded teaching style makes the information easy to assimilate––she teaches verbally and then demonstrates visually and physically how to use what has just been learned. Cecilia has taken the work of Brain GymŪ and blossomed the information into working with children of all abilities through providing a foundation of developmental building blocks.
“This Movement Based Learning course gave me unique tools to use with the kids when the traditional P.T. stuff doesn’t do the job or help me help the kids reach their goals. Cece, you are the best instructor I’ve ever had for any type of class. Thank you.
- Cindy. Physical Therapist
To read more about what other have to say about Cece's workshops click here.
In January 2006, Cecilia Koester published her second book, Movement Based Learning for Children of All Abilities. This practical and insightful book offers the developmental building blocks that Koester has gathered over the years to enhance the skills involved in the areas of comprehension, organization, physical mobility, the ability to focus or communicate. Somehow, by an exquisite synthesis of What Was and What Is and What Might Be, Cecilia creates a new form. This form is addressed in a clear and easy to implement style in her newest book.