Retired CSD Teacher Gives Back to the Cheltenham SD Foundation

Cindy Goldberg retired from the Cheltenham School District following the 2018-19 school year after 23 years as a second grade teacher at Glenside Elementary School and district mindfulness coach.

In retirement, Goldberg collaborated with another former CSD teacher, Jennifer Hall, to publish her second book, “ABC … That Sounds Like Me, A Strengths Spotting Alphabet book.” Goldberg hoped to use the book as a way to give back to the Cheltenham School District Foundation and decided a percentage of the proceeds from all books sales through the end of April would go toward the foundation.

The foundation is special to Goldberg thanks to the more than 10 grants she earned during her tenure to support her students, school and district with books, science materials, character education materials and so much more.

“Teachers are used to reaching into their pockets to make sure their students can thrive,” Goldberg said. “The Cheltenham School District Foundation realized the need and helped hundreds of educators, like me, give our kids what we believed they needed.”

The Cheltenham School District Foundation is a non-profit organization which needs donations to do its work. The foundation has a small but mighty board which raises funds each year to support more than $23,000 in educator innovation grants to benefit Cheltenham students, as well as more than $10,000 in scholarships for students moving on to higher education.

“This year, with COVID, the foundation has not been able to raise the funds our educators and students need so we are grateful Cindy reached out,” said CSDF board member Betsy Conway.

Goldberg’s second book for children, “ABC … That Sounds Like Me, A Strengths Spotting Alphabet Book” is not your typical ABC book. In it, children can discover their own strengths and come to realize they already had the tools to feel successful inside of them. Positive psychology science is built on this pillar. When people build on their strengths instead of trying to fix what they perceive as weaknesses, the result is greater well-being, better physical and emotional health and an ability to feel successful.

“‘ABC That Sounds Like Me’ is the starting point,” Goldberg said. “Adults and their children use the book to spot the strengths that each child has within. The next step is for parents to notice, celebrate and savor the strengths every time the child uses one.”

For example, Goldberg offered saying, “When you worked so hard to finish your homework, I noticed your strength of perseverance and it made me proud.” Instead of saying “Good job” or “You are so smart,” Goldberg recommends using vocabulary that celebrates their uniqueness. “Using the language of strengths helps kids become more confident, more resilient and better able to handle what comes,” she said.

The foundation encourages you to stock up on the book for upcoming birthdays and other events. As you help your child flourish you will also be helping your community to thrive.