February 16, 2010

McMillin Elementary School

Patricia McGinty, who received her Specialist Certificate in Character Development several years ago, has presented at our annual Character Development Conference and has instructed our online courses. She is a first grade teacher at McMillin Elementary School in Chula Vista where great strides are being made to give students the positive skills they will need to thrive in the world they will inherit. She shared the following article with us about McMillin's success in implementing the Anti-Defamation League's - No Place for Hate® initiative.

McMillin Elementary School, Mix It Up

McMillin Elementary School is Committed to Becoming No Place for Hate®

Date: February 8, 2010

As part of their commitment to becoming No Place for Hate®, McMillin Elementary School, part of the Chula Vista Elementary School District, recently conducted two activities that enhance students’ appreciation for diversity and foster respect for others.

All K-6 grade students participated in Mix It Up Lunch Day. Their Peace Patrol members and PTA helped students find their numbered tables and led them to a lunch time of new conversations with new friends. This day helped students become more comfortable interacting with new people and gave them a chance to make new friends. Being able to sit with somebody different created many opportunities for friendships that might not have developed otherwise.

McMillin Elementary also held their annual Ability Awareness Celebration. Community members with a variety of disability experiences spent two days sharing about societal issues that impact people with disabilities. Students learn about accessibility, assistive technology, disability history and laws, as well as attitudes and assumptions that will either support people or further disable people. Volunteers for the event were treated to lunch provided by local businesses, as well as the McMillin PTA.

The Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate® initiative aims to create more harmonious communities, classrooms and workplaces by combating bias and increasing an appreciation for the richness that diversity brings. ADL commends McMillin Elementary School and the Chula Vista Elementary School District for their commitment to becoming No Place for Hate®.

February 12, 2010

Nate Kaeding at Toler Elementary



Nate Kaeding talks to students at Toler Elementary School about the importance of developing their character. Nate received his Specialist Certificate in Character Development at USD. He runs a summer camp in Iowa focusing on sports and character.

February 03, 2010

Airforce Academy

U.S. Airforce Academy staff from The Center for Character and Leadership in Colorado Springs earn their Specialist Certificates in Character Development.

Alumni Updates

Jan Olsson

Jan Olsson, Principal of Huntsville High in Ontario, earned his Specialist Certificate in Character Development at USD several years ago and has presented at the annual Character Development Conference along with his mother, Eva Olsson, Holocaust survivor. We are proud to learn that Jan was among one of 32 Canadian Principals named Outstanding Principal for 2010. Jan has been an administrator at the school for 10 years, the last 4 as Principal. He is a published author, and has been credited with pushing the bar higher for character development throughout the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.