Today I'm excited because we're part of an amazing opportunity at our school as we host a Character Counts! three-day
Character Development Seminar (CDS).
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| Graphic by webmaster, Jane Ann! Click to go to our school site. |
We were invited to pilot the idea that a school setting is the perfect setting for a training like this; our participants will be able to see first-hand how we've woven the Pillars of Character into the very fabric of our school's culture and climate. They'll even be able to hear from a few student leaders about how the Pillars make our school better.
To send school personnel out of the building so that they can be trained in academic subject content is one thing, but to give them up for three days so that they can work on the less-tangible but increasingly important values that develop the character of tomorrow's leaders takes a commitment to our future to a whole new level. We're welcoming 28 character educators to our event, some from as far away as Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Here's the really fun part for me (and hopefully for them!) ... are you ready? ... I get to help Gary Smit deliver the training! Last November, I went out to LA to the Josephson headquarters to attend the updated 4.0 CDS and prepare to be a national trainer so this week I'll be spreading my wings right here in the comforts of my own elementary school conference room.
This just in: One of our participants (thanks, Cathy!) snapped this shot as I was explaining about key values and beliefs and challenging the character educators to unlock those closed mindsets of their own that keep them from maximizing and achieving their potential so that they can ultimately do the same for the children in their care.
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| Joshua made this big key in Construction Management last year! |
This just in: One of our participants (thanks, Cathy!) snapped this shot as I was explaining about key values and beliefs and challenging the character educators to unlock those closed mindsets of their own that keep them from maximizing and achieving their potential so that they can ultimately do the same for the children in their care.
How much character training have you had?
Wow, that's so exciting! We use a program that uses Pillars of Character. Is it possibly the same? We just started it this year. Sadly, I don't know too much about it except following certain character traits each month. We use the words to help build our class meetings. We are adding to the program each year, too. I'm really enjoying it, so if it's the same...cool :)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Character training should be an integral part of the learning system and the perfect place to do this is in a school setting. This is because most people adopt certain behaviors from school and in some cases they live with them through their adult life.
ReplyDeleteFor this reason character training should be incorporated in peoples lives during their schooling days. As scholars most of their time is spent in school and behaviors they adopt this time are exhibited even during holidays meaning that if character training is done during school time then it can go a long way in shaping their character.
It is also in a school setting that it is easy to enshrine these desired characters into the minds of these young ones and make it possible to practice them and monitor the response.
Barbara---You will do awesome! Your energy will fill the room and your great ideas will convey to those attending that character education is your passion. Those in attendance will definitely walk away with their character tanks filled! I am so excited for you that you have this opportunity! YOU ROCK! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI so wish we could steal you away to Idaho!
ReplyDelete❀ Tammy
Forever in First