In This Issue:
- Conference news
- Webinar series
- President's column
- Promising Practices focus on Earth Day
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2012 NSOC National Finalists Announced
The Character Education Partnership (CEP) has named 22 public schools, three private schools, one charter school, and two school districts as National Finalists in the 2012 National Schools of Character (NSOC) program.
"These schools are using character education to shape cultures that encourage high student achievement, mutual respect, and integrity among students, staff, and faculty," said CEP President Mark Hyatt. "The results show that character education really works to transform schools into learning communities for all stakeholders.
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National Forum "Developing Leaders of Integrity"Nov. 1-3, 2012 in Washington, D.C. We continue to build exciting programming into the Forum schedule. As the nation's premier gathering of thought leaders, practitioners, and innovative character educators, the Forum will bring you together with some of the nation's leading experts in character education. Many of them will share details from their new books. Just two examples: "The Handbook on Prosocial Education: Developing Caring, Capable Citizens"-Editors Phil Brown, Ann Higgins D'Alessandro, and Mike Corrigan, have made this a strong resource. It includes the work of more than 90 authors who have written chapters and case studies for this reference volume. These include contributions from at least three NSOCs, Marvin Berkowitz, Jonathan Cohen, Phil Vincent, and CASEL.
"You Can't Teach Through a Rat: And Other Epiphanies for Educators" by Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, the Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education at University of Missouri-St. Louis
Come meet Dr. Berkowitz and other credentialed authors in person, discuss their innovative ideas with other attendees, and gain concrete strategies to improve your school. The Forum is the place to go to explore strategies and solutions that transform schools into schools of character. Save the dates for the conference (Nov. 1-3 in Washington, DC) and watch our website as more details unfold.
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Promising Practices
By Lisa Greeves, Manager, Promising Practices  Spring is coming and with it comes Earth Day in April. Now is the time to focus on how we can teach our students to lead the way regarding wise use of our planet. Many of our current Promising Practices focus on preserving our Earth and challenging students to exhibit good character in their decisions and behavior. So if you're looking for new ideas to share with your students this spring, make sure that you read about these practices.
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Shape Students who think for themselves
and of others
by Eileen Dachnowicz
H armless fluff that detracts from real learning or a reactionary movement that trains students to be obedient robots? A visit to any school in our 2011 NSOC roster should quickly disabuse critics of character education of these stereotypes. On the contrary, the students whom they'll meet are knowledgeable, friendly, articulate, and goal-minded, fueled by an intense desire "to make the world a better place."
A strong belief in "voice and choice" for students serves as the philosophical framework for learning in these schools. First, students are trained to be inquisitive explorers, critical thinkers, and problem solvers in their academic studies. A passion for learning energizes their lively classrooms. Secondly, the same approach extends to the students' social-emotional development as they learn and practice strategies to get along with one another, demonstrate tolerance and acceptance, and resolve conflicts successfully. A third characteristic is the development of a strong social consciousness. The spirit of empathy that is nurtured through school initiatives such as cross-grade buddies, curricular connections, ethical discussions, and anti-bullying efforts takes on a mature significance as students become leaders in projects that improve the local and global communities.
Read more >>
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Views from the States Respecting the EnvironmentUtah State Schools of Character Coordinator Kristin Fink shared with us the following project from Bonneville Elementary School in Salt Lake City. The school was honored last year with an Innovative Practice award, and this lesson is a good example of how younger students can engage in service learning on school premises. It also demonstrates nice integration with art. First Grade students chose to focus their service learning project on caring for the environment. With input from the principal, the students launched a campaign to teach other students in the school about respecting the garden beds on the school grounds. Read more >>
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Schedule Your Professional Trainings Now!
Where has the school year gone? It is time to schedule professional development for the spring and fall. Using your professional days to focus on developing a culture that will help kids connect, help parents feel involved and help teachers really teach will pay off in improved academics, increased attendance and reduced behavioral issues.
CEP stands ready to address these needs with a professional cadre of trainers to bring the 11 Principles to life-tailored to your individual needs.
Right now, CEP is offering a 20% discount for every new training booked along with one free companion Eleven Principles Sourcebook for every three ordered.
Please call Barbara Luther at 202 296 7743 ext. 26 for more information.
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Read CEO Mark Hyatt's commentary in the latest issue of Ed Week and his letter to the editor that appeared in the New York Times on March 12. |
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Leadership Makes a Difference
By Mark Hyatt, President & CEO
During my first two months as CEP's President & CEO, I have spent most of my time meeting with others who are committed to improving schools and developing good character in young people. As part of the immersion, I've talked to classroom teachers, parents, school and district administrators, university professors, school board members, state-level officials, foundation presidents, and senior staff at other nonprofits.
From this experience, I have been inspired by amazing people. Additionally, I am even more committed to ensuring that CEP does the best job possible supporting our many friends and colleagues who are working so hard to make a difference in their schools, communities and states. And, finally, I am more convinced than ever that leadership really matters. Read more >>
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Webinar Series
Transform School Culture-Make it Happen! Coming up in CEP's interactive webinar series:
March 15-- "REALLY Bully-Proof Your School-It Takes More than a Canned Program" presented by former NSOC principal and educational consultant Dr. Linda Morris
March 29-- "Using Character Education to Foster Academics" led by senior training consultant and school transformation expert Dr. Richard Benjamin and middle school social studies teacher Thomas Panter.
Check out the full webinar schedule for a complete list of topics covered. Find out for yourself why participants are calling the webinars "exemplary," "very clear," and a great opportunity to gain "quality information," "specific examples of implementation," and "ideas and suggestions that we can use immediately." Join educators from across the country who have already taken advantage of this accessible, affordable training from experts in character education. The series runs every two weeks until June 14.
All webinars are 3:30- 4:30 p.m. EST, starting Jan. 19. Each webinar is $49, but save when you sign up for the series of 12 for $299 (half price). Archived sessions are available.
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What Works in Character Education
If you or your school don't subscribe to the Journal of Research in Character Education, now is a good time to start a subscription. It's a good way to keep up with the research that shows what works. The Journal includes scholarly, peer-reviewed articles as well as "Voices from the Classroom."The latest issue is just out. Here are just a couple titles from this issue:"The Hidden Virtues of Harry Potter: Using J. K. Rowling's Novels to Facilitate Character Education with Juvenile Delinquents" and "Coaching for Character." More information >>
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News Briefs
Telling Teachers' Stories
National Teachers Initiative-a national nonprofit oral-history project is recording, sharing, and preserving teachers' stories. Learn more >>
Race to Nowhere Educational Tool Kit
Many of you attended the screening and discussion of the film Race to Nowhere at the 2010 Forum. An Educational Tool Kit and DVD is now available for educational purchase.
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Calendar of Events
March 28-31
Global Summit on Childhood
Sponsored by Childhood Education International, in Washington, DC at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Crystal City. Learn more >>
April 20-22 Global Youth Service Day
Youth Service America publishes a set of posters, toolkits, and curricula guides to help you plan your Global Youth Service Day (or Semester of Service!) event. This year's theme is Youth Changing the World. Find out more at the Global Youth Service Day website.
April 22 Earth Day
On this day each year, we talk about ways we are protecting the environment and ways we can take stronger action during the coming year.
June 11-13 Patriotism, Pride & Character Presented by the School District of Jefferson County, and the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership at Springs Hotel, Pewaukee, WI. Learn more >>
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