We were those parents with the best intentions, talking to our child constantly about his "potential" and trying to motivate him with carrots and sticks. Not surprisingly, we got terrible results. He struggled quietly, procrastinated and withdrew over coming to us for our unhelpful interventions. The hardest thing to admit was that we really didn't understand our kid. A month into working with Danny, our son was able to create goals and a schedule for himself. Then the biggest miracle happened--he sat us down and told us exactly what he needed from us in order to hold himself accountable. His grades leapt from 2 Cs and an F in Fall semester to 3 Bs in Winter semester. His pride in himself--both for his improved grades and his newfound motivation is apparent. He continues to strive in new ways and to seek help when he needs it. If not for Danny, our extremely intelligent and charismatic teen would have continued to hide behind "I got it" and "I'm fine" while he failed in school and suffered in silence.
Thank you, Danny, for getting him. He loves you and so do we.
- Bridget Quebobeaux
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
My experience with Danny has been truly spectacular. I have seen him work with kids in ways that emotinoally move you. His knowledge about psychology and how kids think, behave, and what they are truly trying to tell us is on point. His tolerance and ability to be flexible are exactly what kids need. He is able to get to the heart of children to find out what’s truly blocking them, or getting them frustrated, or simply shut down. He has a way that is special; like a secret passage way and he has the hidden key. As a psychologist it’s a dream to work with someone like Danny with my kiddos. He is
anything but average and if you get a chance to work with him you’ll undoubtedly see how special he truly is.
- Dr. Betsy Usher
Clinical Psychologist
Danny Armstrong is one of the most compassionate and dedicated educators I know. He is an extraordinarily creative teacher, mentor, and writer. Perhaps inspired by my great ancestor, Frederick Douglass, Danny has demonstrated his commitment to educating, inspiring, and empowering young scholars over many years. For it was Douglass who once said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Danny is helping to build strong children in the mold of the Great Abolitionist and all the freedom fighters who came before us and whose shoulders we stand upon.
- Kenneth B. Morris, Jr.
Co-Founder & President, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives
Great-great-great-grandson, Frederick Douglass
Great-great-grandson, Booker T. Washington
Online school was difficult for me. I had motivation issues and I didn’t have many study habits to pass my classes. Then, I met up with Danny. He taught me new approaches to online school that I have been using since my sessions with him. I learned new study strategies and ways to stay motivated through things that I may not enjoy. I learned how to stop procrastinating and get my work done. I learned how to get what I wanted from school. Through a few weeks of regular sessions, I got my grades from a D average to a B average. I know it's not straight A’s, but I keep improving. I am very grateful that I am fighting this monster that is procrastination. I am not completely fixed though. I still struggle occasionally, but the skills I learned were very valuable. - Jackson age 16
Danny helped our son Sam as he was struggling with his first AP class. He was sinking in the gap between a regular history class and the advanced level of reading, note taking, ect. I asked Sam if his session with Danny was helpful, and he said, "Yes!! Mind Blown!" We are so appreciative Danny. - Melanie Gage
He taught me that I actually like getting an education. I actually enjoy writing and digging deep into poetry. I enjoy all that. He showed me that being on top of everything putting 100% effort into everything it is not that hard as you think. I can see myself in the future advancing at a higher level than I would have seen myself before working with Danny. - Allen age 15
I think every student should feel like this. - Isabella age 16
Now I know that I am actually a pretty smart girl, and I’m responsible for my own education. - Ashely age 14
Mr. Armstrong, he helped me a lot this year. Last year I was a very bad student. I got straight Fs. He pushed me in all my classes to get Cs and above. It feels amazing. It feels great. I love the feeling of having good grades. - Tori age 16
I feel more responsible. I give credit to him. He wants the best for you. He wants you to do good and succeed in life.
I feel grateful. - Manuel age 17
The thing I learned about responsibility is that you need to step up and do it for yourself. - Addison age 17
You learn what affects your learning outside of school. -Angel age 14
He makes you think about what you really are and who you really are as a person. I was a jerk. I just didn’t want to listen to nobody because I wanted to do what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to do what other people told me to do. When I did listen, it actually made me better cause I was finally like alright that’s a good thing. That is a better outcome instead of doing wrong and messing up. At certain points I hated it. I didn’t want to be there, but at the end it benefits you because you actually learn what you do inside the classroom and how things work. Pay attention and listen cause what he says actually means something.
- Robert age 17
I’ve really been more responsible at school. I used to be really dumb in a way because I didn’t want to show people that I was smart. I was doing things that I wasn’t supposed to be doing, and I wanted to be cool, but that’s not really cool. That’s showing that you’re not being yourself. With Mr. Armstrong you can be who you really are because he shows you a lot about life’s purposes and school stuff, and you learn a lot. - Nancy age 15
Mr. Armstrong was the main reason I really changed. He has affected me not only in school but other aspects of life. I used not really like school and didn’t do my work. I used to think I was hurting my school, but it’s actually hurting me. Mr. Armstrong made me see that.
- Issac age 15
The thing I learned about myself as a student is that I can actually get good grades. It was satisfying when I did put effort into my work.
- Eric age 17
I am proud because I never expected to go from failing all my class to all Cs or better.
- Anthony age 14