Testimonials

Testimonials

Read testimonials by teachers and others
who have have used the MeLand materials:

Peter
Diane
Judy
Michaela 2000
Michaela 2010
Phyllis
Jayne
Mary, Eva's Principal
Jan
Mario

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	Peter, co-creator, writes: “MeLand” is a land of love and imagination. Its foundation is the love that we are inside ourselves. Love is a gift that is given to us at creation. We all have an inner self that tells each of us who we are. That inner space must be acknowledged and nurtured. We learn along the way that the “MeLand” in each of us must also be acknowledged and respected. With love as its foundation, “MeLand” becomes the land of intention, energy, respect, integrity, honor, curiosity, loyalty, appreciation, uniqueness and peace. At all times, we are both individuals in “MeLand” and we are part of a world made of other “Me’s”. If we could all know that, the world would indeed be a peaceful place!
	A TRIBUTE TO EVA AND MELAND by PHYLLIS THORPE I have presented MeLand for many years now--to school classes, to senior citizens, in bookstores, and most recently, as a key part of the class "Be the Star You Are!" at the Masterpeace Studios in Kirkwood, Missouri. I used it as the basis for Creative Drama improvisations in an after-school program at a local Montessori School. Eva's concept of MeLand is a brilliant way to foster respect for self and others. It makes sense! Young people, I have found in my 35 years of teaching, will do the right thing almost all the time, if it is presented to them in a way that makes sense--in an atmosphere of freedom and love. For most teachers, this is a knack that takes awhile to develop. Eva has found a way to make fundamental concepts, essential to our living together in harmony and joy, practical, do-able, and FUN! In my classes, I have chosen a MeLand theme and structured creative drama exercises which are in sync with it into the lessons. This is a natural fit and gives depth of understanding to the theatre games and activities. Theatre, Drama, and Communication are my areas of professional expertise; others may find ways to incorporate the MeLand ideas into Science, Math, Languages and other fields. If I were an elementary school teacher, I would love having the MeLand materials available to introduce concepts essential to Character Building, to have practical methods of making these concepts real in the children's experience, and to have short energizing songs at hand to use! MeLand songs can provide a bridge between subjects of study, an energizing/focusing opportunity when the class could use a break, or a reward . . .the uses and opportunities are endless. Teachers who work with these materials will discover more and more ways to use them. Parents and others involved in guiding the young will find in MeLand a valuable way of building values of respect for self and others, expression, thoughtfulness, and creativity. I recommend MeLand for children of all ages! The materials are perfect for middle- and high-school students to study so they can present them to the younger ones! Thanks to Eva Thayer's tireless and dedicated work, continuing now into her 10th decade, young people today have melodic, practical and creative methods to help them build great lives and a productive future! MeLand becomes WeLand--a land of peace, joy and harmony. Phyllis Thorpe, St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO July 26,2006 updated April 15, 2009 Back to Gratitude spoke
	Michaela’s Experience with Hula-Hoops written year 2000 “I was completely unprepared for what I encountered on the first day of school. Led to go where the need was greatest, I took a job as a 2nd grade teacher in the inner city. What I found was shocking! The 7 and 8 year olds lived in the most impoverished +neighborhood in the city. Because the school was nonintegrated, there were no computers or copiers that worked. Doing my job was a daily exercise in frustration. The children were already resigned to their futures. They were walking “clones” of their parents’ conversations, prejudices, transience, and drugs. Violence broke out in the classroom on a daily basis. It was common behavior for the children to shove desks into other children or jump from their desks to fist fight, or scream, “That’s my pencil”. Winning these children over to the idea that they could be successful people in an environment different from the one they were in was a formable task. I asked myself, “How do I do this?” In comes Eva from San Antonio, a retired teacher who developed the MELAND concept. In MeLand there is a Me language and everyone has the same name – “Me.” We have an Invisible Me and a Visible Me. Each of us Me’s has a space – My Space. Each Me is the boss of Me. This was it! The first activity was showing that every person has a space – “My Space”. I asked each child to step into a hula-hoop. With this fun toy each child experienced for the first time, “MY SPACE”. They learned that in their space they have rights. They learned to respect their own space and the space of others. Suddenly fighting STOPPED, and instead I heard: “You can’t fight with me. You are invading my space.” Soon the children were asserting their rights through talking to each other. I saw respect and compassion emerge in these little “Me’s” and for the first time all school year, I looked forward with enthusiasm for the next day of school.” Michaela Tells It Again...year 2010 MeLand was my life saver when I worked in the inner city schools. I was teaching second grade and I did not get control of the classroom until March of that school year. I did it with the MeLand material. Introducing MY SPACE was an eye opener for the children. "We have space that is ours? We are the boss of that space?" Total amazement to the children that they had power over themselves. With the songs, singing the words, and the journals we created, the children began identifying what they were feeling, and now had the tools to put their feelings into words. The children communicated their needs, their feelings, and respected themselves and each other. The rest of the year was pure joy! Thank you, Eva! Michaela Turner, BS Ed, CYKF, YKT 30 year veteran edcuator and Certified YogaKids Teacher and Trainer Co-Creator of the online Yogi Parenting Course Back to Space Spoke

	Dianne Experiences MeLand Dianne originally wrote the following 3 letters by hand. Obviously they were not all written at the same time. April 1991 – Dianne is an 8^th grade student Grandma Eva has taught us to be able to bring out the beauty and love inside ourselves. We have discovered MeLand, a world inside ourselves. We have learned to make that world grow and live inside as well as outside. Before Grandma Eva taught us about the Land of Me, we always felt it was some place we could go but had to leave. Now we know it is always there and it will never leave us. It might take sometime to discover we learned from Grandma Eva it is all worth the wait. We have also been able to teach others. It is great to know you can change people just as Grandma Eva changed us. April 1995 – Dianne is a high school graduate Although four years have past since I first learned about MeLand, the Land of Me, it feels as though I just opened my heart to let Spirit come in and live inside of me. When Grandma Eva was teaching me how to internalize God, I was going through a transition from attending junior high to attending high school. The tools that Grandma Eva gave me became valuable as I was trying to find my place in this beautiful world of ours. I learned that even though the outside world would not always allow me to grow spiritually, I can look inside myself and know that Spirit will always be inside of me. I can never fully thank Grandma Eva for the gifts she gave me, but as I become older and see myself sharing her gifts with others, I know I am doing my part. October 1999 Dianne’s a college grad working for her master’s degree I am currently a graduate level social work student dealing with children who have emotional disorders. Grandma Eva taught me about MeLand when I was in the 8^th grade. She became a very inspirational person in my life. I find in working with these particular children that there are not enough positive and life affirming circumstances to give them a sense of who they are. I was fortunate to have met Grandma Eva. She helped me put those feelings of love for myself into living experiences. I know that everywhere I go I am in “MeLand. I respect and love myself; therefore, I respect and love others. The work she is doing with children of all ages is admirable. If all people cared as much or just took the time to make the difference in others lives, there would be a greater sense of “We” than “I.” We have a goal in social work to empower those who have little or no voices in our world to stand up and make a difference. Experience tells me that Grandma Eva in her work is empowering others and helping them to understand that they are wonderful, incredible and unique “Me’s.” I urge you to see for yourself the impact Grandma Eva's concepts and ways of teaching have upon your and all you know, especially children. June 3, 2001 (e-mail) It has been 10 years since I first began writing of my experiences in “Me Land”. I am now a Licensed Master Social Worker, working in the long-term care field. I am grateful that Grandma Eva guided me to communicate with Spirit within me. With a smile on her face, Grandma Eva calls Holy Spirit “Holy ME.” Like her, I also find joy in being one with Spirit is my Meland. My confidence in myself and in others has been invaluable in shaping the person I have become and in forming my view of what I know the world can be. Dianne Teran
	Judy's Testimonial Letter written October, 2009 Dear Eva: Your songs and book are an inspiration to me. Children and teachers immediately feel the spirit, light and love of your music. I work with pre-school age children and need to keep songs and activities simple. Also, children of this age love learning the action signs that go along with your songs. MeLand is perfect for doing a unit/theme on Me, Us, Friends. and Feeling. I chose songs, from your CD, to play at group times, in the classroom….the boys love songs that they can march to, the girls love songs where they can be cheerleaders and they all love the rap and movement songs. If I did a unit on Melnad, it would include self-portraits, talking about feelings, easel painting while listening to the instrumentals, story books on this subject and photos of the children working, singing, dancing and painting to your music. Thanks for lifting my spirit, my enthusiasm and inspiring me to enter the world of MeLand! J F….Head Start, Arizona Back to Energy spoke
	Jayne's Testimonial May 2010 Dear Eva: It has been, is now, and always shall be a very Great Honor to know you and be connected to the “Me” that you are. I have learned so much about myself and the world we live in by knowing you. Making music with you was such a joy. Creating is such fun and so healing. I am happy that the music is going to be available to all of us. I learn more and more each time I listen to the words...so profound...so simple. The words bring such emotion to me. I’m proud to have had a part in the creation of the Me Music. Love, Jayne
	May 2010 Letter of recommendation from Mary, the former principal of the school where Eva taught for five years. For all of you who are acquainted with Eva's creative works, please know that I have had the pleasure of working with Eva for the past twenty years. She is a person with deep convictions and wonderful abilities. I have seen her work with children and adults and I have been very impressed. Eva developed her MeLand concept with the children in the school where I was Principal. The results were tremendous. These concepts helped the children to have a enlightened outlook on life and built their self esteem. These qualities bring much happiness in living our daily lives. For children of all ages her book MORE WE THAN ME internalizes the Creative Spirit and reinforces the positive power within us. The format is direct and simple. It takes ten minutes to read it and a lifetime to live it.
	Jan's Testimonial Ever since I have know about Eva's" Meland" material I have wondered what my life might be like if I had been lucky enough to have access to this kind of teaching at a very young age. I would like to live in a world whose leaders were raised with this positive, self-affirming basis upon which to build a happy, peaceful and successful future. This is why I think it is so important to expose as many children as possible to these golden nuggets! Thank you Eva, for a very important body of work! May your teachings reach the young children everywhere! Janet E. Smith Yoga Teacher/ Health Coach
	Mario's Testimonial Dear Eva: Meland is me and so am I. The two of us both travel in Meland all the time. Big Me and Little Me. Of course, all the other Meeeeeeeeeeeeee's are there as well. All of my moods, splits in personality, second thoughts and on and on. When I think of Me and who I am, what I really notice is a presence. As if something or someone is behind me. When I am conscious of this presence I am never alone. It does my thinking, takes action as me, lives, breaths and has its being through me. I am one with It, I am always being connected when I think of It. I am connected even when I do not think of it but I do not think of It or of my connection. I think therefore I am connected! I Live therefore I am connected! I move therefore I am. I dream and I am. I am Me. I am. I.
	Index to Testimonials