tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53569690237340602852024-03-13T07:43:00.074-07:00Character Development Center BlogNews, Notes and UpdatesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-26627904107088541662013-10-07T10:05:00.001-07:002013-10-07T10:05:49.111-07:00Character Education Standards
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:TimesNewRoman;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:Cambria;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Times-Roman;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:Times;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Georgia;
panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Six
Character Education</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Standards in Search
of an Audience</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by Ed DeRoche<br /><br />
As you probably know, the Character Education Partnership publishes the eleven
principles of effective character education and uses them for identifying
schools that qualify for state and national awards (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.character.org/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.character.org</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on research and award-winning
school practices, we created six standards with quality indicators to help define
factors that should be present in a school with an exemplary character
education program. Space does not permit a listing of all quality indicators;
one example is shown for each standard. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />Standard
One:</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mission-Core Values- Goals</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exemplary character education programs have a clear set of
core values/virtues, including a mission statement and specific goals that are
shared, used, and assessed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />• Describe the process that the school’s stakeholders
experienced in creating the character education programs core values mission,
goals, and expectations. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standard Two: </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">School Culture<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Exemplary
character education programs address a </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">school’s
culture and its effectiveness to provide a safe environment, character
development, community involvement, and student achievement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRoman;">“The National
School Climate Council concludes that a positive school climate fosters youth
development and learning…(that) includes norms, values, and expectations that
support people’s feelings socially, emotionally and physically….” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
- R.Sojourner, Character Education Partnership, p.5</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">•
Describe how school personnel promote and model the mission and core values and
ensure a psychologically safe and caring school environment which contributes
to a positive school culture.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standard Three:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Value Formation-Moral Action</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Exemplary
character education programs nurture and foster students’ interpersonal values
(</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">those
characterizing the individual's behavior and attitudes in a wide range of
situations and activities); intrapersonal values (those characterizing the
individual's behavior and attitudes toward others, especially as expressed in
relation to family, peers, teachers, and persons in the student's immediate
social environment: and civic virtues (those characterizing the individual's
behavior and attitudes toward the community and society).</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 28.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />• Describe
how character development </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">foster students' self-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>motivation,
self-awareness, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">social and emotional skills, and ethical<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>problem-solving
and decision-making.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standard Four: Staff
Development</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Exemplary<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">character education
initiatives include professional</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"> development training, workshops, seminar,
etc. for developing, implementing, and assessing character-building factors
such as:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">i</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">nteractive
teaching strategies, direct teaching strategies, modeling/mentoring</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">, c</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;">lassroom or
behavior management methods, school-wide activities, community service/service
learning, and curriculum and programs. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Times-Roman;"><br />
• Describe the time, resources, and plans that help stakeholders engage in
consistent self- and team- development opportunities. </span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standard
Five: Curriculum-Programs-Partnerships<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Exemplary<b> </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">character education
efforts</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
focus on “</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">integrating
character education into the full spectrum of school activities and school life
through such means as (a) involvement across curricular topics, discipline
practices, after-school activities, and other such school functions; (b)
participation by teachers, principals, school staff, parents, and especially
students in program design and implementation; and (c) multiple approaches to
teaching character (e.g., instruction, modeling, special events, community
service, experiential learning<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">).”</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://ies.ed.gov/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Institute of Education Sciences</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">What Works Clearinghouse</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.ed.gov/"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">U.S. Department of Education</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">• Describe
how character education is integrated throughout the curriculum and at all
grade levels. Specifically, describe how character education is infused in the
general curriculum, includes separate units of study and programs; how they are
infused throughout the curriculum? How are they addressed in other content
areas?</span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Standard Six:
Assessment/Evaluation</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Effective character education
programs and initiatives are assessed on a regular basis and school personnel
and others use data-driven information to make <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5356969023734060285" name="_GoBack"></a>informed
changes and decisions.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">• Describe specific findings and
results from assessment efforts that inform stakeholders and others about
“what’s working” with regard<b> </b>to such factors as </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">school
culture, classroom climate, students’ pro-social and at-risk behaviors,
discipline referrals, absentee rates, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a copy of the Center’s standards
listing all “quality indictors,” email us at character@sandiego.edu.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-90453858533650804042013-09-16T10:20:00.000-07:002013-09-16T10:20:33.331-07:00 Starting the school year with a sense of humor<em>Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch
which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as
brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.</em> — George Bernard Shaw, playwright and Nobel Prize winner<br />
<br />
To get ideas for a blog on how new and veteran teachers can
successfully prepare for a new school year, I spent an hour on the
Internet and discovered a rich source of advice and suggestions for
teachers. The range of information includes ideas on how to arrange your
classroom, 50 ways of getting through the first week and 101 ways for
handling stress throughout the school year.<br />
<br />
So, what is left for me to say? Very little, except some personal
observations for what they are worth and maybe a smile or two because
I’ve touched on experiences that you have had or heard about. I begin with a reminder. Your students have had three months off.
That means they have lost three months of learning, and some people may
blame you for this loss.<br />
<br />
By now you may have spent some of your own money on school supplies
and your own non-paid time getting your classroom ready — arranging the
desks, adding decorations, finding out if the equipment works, hanging
posters, counting textbooks, and enjoying the quietness of preparation.
You probably have the photocopying machine humming because you know — or
have heard — that the best way to quiet a classroom of unfocused,
talkative students is to give them a packet of worksheets.<br />
<br />
You also know that during that first week of school you have to over
plan because when kids have nothing to do, things happen. Some
educational specialist will tell you to greet each student — shake
hands, maybe give a hug or two (Careful here. Check the school policy on
hugging), and look them straight in the eye when doing this.<br />
<br />
The experts also suggest that you to get to know your students names
as soon as possible — no nicknames until the second semester. All agree
that you must review your classroom rules as soon as possible, generally
the first hour. It’s best to post them. Kids have a tendency to forget
“rules” at school and at home. The experts also suggest that you “get
to it,” start teaching content, impress the students with your knowledge
and make it look like they might learn something.<br />
<br />
Some specialists recommend that you send a letter or email to parents
during the first week of school There are all kinds of sample letters
on the Internet so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Be sure to tell
the parents how much you look forward to teaching their son/daughter
this year. The rule is that you have to tell parents this tale even
though you don’t know their child, yet, or you have had less than
positive reports about their child from another teacher.<br />
<br />
Another big thing, from what I read, is your statement of
“expectations.” If my kids were in your class, I would warn you not to
expect too much. I wouldn’t want to contribute to your frustrations
without a warning. In your communication with parents it would be best
to also talk about behavior, homework and how you grade. Now, this is
really important. Your letter or email to parents should require them to
sign a “contract.” I checked with a lawyer; it doesn’t mean much, but
it is symbolic. My question: What happens to parents who refuse to sign
the contract?<br />
<br />
I was once told that it is a good idea to end a blog with bullet points. Here are a few:<br />
<ul>
<li>Do not go into the teachers’ room during the first month. You may
hear things that will destroy your enthusiasm for teaching the rest of
the year.</li>
<li>Develop a sense of humor –quickly. Your students’ behaviors will
contribute to this. Humor is going to help you stay healthy mentally.</li>
<li>In many cases, teaching can be and often is stressful. There are
days when you will be angry, frustrated, anxious, and emotional. Do
something about it. Take a break, write about your feelings in a
journal, go to the movies, the theater, etc. Most importantly, do
something physical, try yoga, take a long walk, jog, or work in your
yard. Also, be flexible, set your own comfortable pace/schedule, and
work on developing a positive attitude about things.</li>
<li>Teaching can be a lonely experience. Don’t let it be. Collaborate!
Cooperate! Be a leader and team player! Get involved in school and
community activities. Take a professional development course. Also, go
online, there are a number of teacher blogs and forums that offer advice
for dealing with stress, for invigorating your teaching, and for
inspiring you to keep going. A positive relationship is to your mental
health as location is to real estate.</li>
</ul>
<em><a href="mailto:deroche@sandiego.edu">Ed DeRoche</a> is a former
teacher, administrator, school board member, and dean. He has written
several books and articles on character education. Currently he is the
director of the Character Development Center at the University of San
Diego and teaches in-class and online courses on instructional
strategies, curriculum and programs, and character-based classroom
management.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-24884730073473966592013-08-05T11:40:00.000-07:002013-08-05T11:40:02.991-07:00CHARACTER: THE TRUE COMMON CORE<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">By Ed DeRoche</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Politicians,
the press, the public, and most educators are excited about the Common Core State
Standards (CCSS), Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM),
and, of course, the ever present thrust for more testing. Many
believe the new common core state standards and education incentive
programs such as "Race to the Top" are the panacea for saving our young
from the embarrassment of not being among the top scorers in the
international testing race to the top in reading, math, and science.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We
may need to enter a “moral-ethical” race, as well. Consider a few
character-related questions: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do we really
believe that children are born “morally literate?” (No)<span> </span>Do we believe that the young need to be
taught to be moral (knowing the difference between right and wrong) and ethical
(doing what is right) at home, in school, and in the community? (Yes) Do we
want our children to be good, caring, empathetic human beings? (Yes) Do we want
to help them develop positive social and emotional skills? (Yes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do
we let this happen by chance? (No) If you agree with the answers, what do we
do? We help the young learn how to be successful in school, society, and in
life—the “new century skills.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In
California, we should be promoting a “balance” between helping our young to be
both smart and good. The California <i>Education Code </i>Section 233.5(a) lays
the groundwork for this:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Each teacher shall
endeavor to impress upon the minds of the pupils the principles of morality,
truth, justice, patriotism, and a true comprehension of the rights, duties, and
dignity of American citizenship, and the meaning of equality and human dignity,
including the promotion of harmonious relations, kindness toward domestic pets
and the humane treatment of living creatures, to teach them to avoid idleness,
profanity, and falsehood, and to instruct them in manners and morals and the
principles of a free government. Each teacher is also encouraged to create and
foster an environment that encourages pupils to realize their full potential
and that is free from discriminatory attitudes, practices, events, or
activities, in order to prevent acts of hate violence….</span></i><br />
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Since
1995, the Character Development Center (CDC) has been making a difference by
helping educators, parents, youth agencies personnel, and students learn,
teach, and practice the positive habits of good character, citizenship, and
social-emotional skills.<span> </span>We
promote <span style="color: #1f497d;">10 BADGES OF CHARACTER:</span> RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY,
COMPASSION, COURAGE, PERSEVERANCE, TRUST, HONESTY, GRATITUDE, SELF-DISCIPLINE, and
AND CITIZENSHIP. <span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">From the CDC site one may download 8 x 11 posters
of each of the 10 badges of character.<span>
</span>Each poster has a definition of the character trait along with a
quote.<span> </span>The CDC site is full of recommendations
for educators, administrators, and parents describing how to integrate the “
true core standards” at home, in school, and in the community <span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">(</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://charactermatters.sandiego.edu/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0037a3;">http://charactermatters.<wbr></wbr>sandiego.edu</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> and<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div>
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://usdcharacter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0037a3;">http://usdcharacter.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">).</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">One
important point here is that attending to the character development of students
in our schools supports academic achievement and social-emotional skill
development. A few examples:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Character
and citizenship are the critical elements of a positive school culture and
climate.</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">” Elias, 2008, p.31</span><b><span style="color: #141413; font-family: Verdana;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Character education
positively influences academic achievement; and has a broad impact on a wide
variety of psycho-social outcomes, including sexual behavior, problem-solving
skills, relationships and attachment to school. </span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Berkowitz and Bier (2005)
</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Integrated character
education resulted in an improved school environment, increased student
pro-social and moral behavior, and increased reading and math test scores.<span> </span>In addition, schools became more caring
communities, discipline referrals dropped significantly—particularly in areas
related to bullying behavior—and test scores in moderately achieving schools
increased nearly 50%.</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Marshall, Caldwell, and Foster (2011) </span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Compared
with their peers (in strictly academic programs), participating students also
significantly improved on five key nonacademic measures: They demonstrated
greater social skills, less emotional distress and better attitudes, fewer
conduct problems such as bullying and suspensions, and more-frequent positive
behaviors, such as cooperation and help for other students. Also, the effects
continued at least six months....</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> <i><span>Education Week</span></i><span> 1-25-12</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell asks: <i>Is our only
objective to get students ready for success in the workforce? Do we not also
have a responsibility to prepare students to be active and engaged citizens?
Don't we want our next generation to be caring neighbors, effective parents,
and strong role models for the generation after theirs? Aren't we obligated to
provide them with the skills they need to successfully pursue and achieve
happiness and joy in their lives? I think we are, and I believe technological
change and the global economy make it more important than ever that we focus on
these things” (the true common core).</i></span><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-8682781256779711802013-07-21T20:14:00.004-07:002013-07-21T20:21:23.778-07:00Medal of Honor Presentation<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyO5EMhJQnY/Ueyip1U8ErI/AAAAAAAABL0/-5cHkKPyOSo/s1600/DSCN5424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyO5EMhJQnY/Ueyip1U8ErI/AAAAAAAABL0/-5cHkKPyOSo/s320/DSCN5424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed DeRoche addresses seminar attendees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had our own July 4<sup>th</sup>
celebration when the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s staff and two
experienced California teachers provided pre-conference seminar attendees with a one-day training program. They focused on “lessons
of personal bravery and self-sacrifice” as “a teaching resource designed by
teachers to provide students with opportunities to explore” virtues such as courage,
patriotism, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, and citizenship. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Forty attendees were thrilled
to meet, in person, Jay Vargas, a Medal of Honor recipient, and receive the Foundation’s excellent
and comprehensive instructional kit of resources, lessons, DVDs and black-line
masters. (<a href="http://www.cmohedu.org/about_us.aspx">http://www.cmohedu.org/about_us.aspx</a>)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3WSiRoIvjg/UeyiqvajmwI/AAAAAAAABL8/IJV4rKLvVfI/s1600/DSCN5453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p3WSiRoIvjg/UeyiqvajmwI/AAAAAAAABL8/IJV4rKLvVfI/s320/DSCN5453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay Vargas, Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to share some
representative observations from attendees, which I have edited. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">I really felt a connection to the importance of
service to others and how character truly counts; it was powerful and
meaningful. </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">Learning about the value of character education
has made me determined to add character education into my classroom’s curriculum.
Our nation was founded on the values that exist in service and this should not
be forgotten. I feel very humbled to know about several Medal of Honor
recipients and their stories, and that they were willing to open up, and at
moments be vulnerable in order to share the love, selflessness, respect, and
determination that have for their country and friends. </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I found the vignettes to be informative and thought
provoking: perfect material for my future world history classroom. Beyond
the reminders of the costs of war, the seminar encouraged me to reflect on the
importance of service to others. I believe that this is truly an important
life perspective to cultivate in our students and ourselves.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>One of the important things I took from this
program, which I think is a good lesson for students also, is that you don’t
necessarily need to be special to do something great. The message that I kept
getting from the different men in the videos was that they did not think they
did anything great or deserved all this attention and honor, they were just
doing what they thought was the right thing to do. This is a powerful message
because I think it can encourage students to choose to create values and beliefs
of what is right. </i></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">From this seminar, one thing that
I learned and found special was that I went home with a new meaning and
awareness of what it means to be selfless and to sacrifice. </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>As an elementary school teacher, I feel that this
program would be extremely beneficial especially to the upper grades (i.e.
grades 4-6) because it teaches students about the greater good and serving
others before oneself. Learning
about these qualities that the Medal of Honor recipients possess allows for
thought provoking discussions and sharing of experiences. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">Character
education is something that I am extremely passionate about and will be
intertwined throughout all aspects of my future classroom community. In certain
classroom environments (potentially upper-elementary through high school), the
Medal of Honor Curriculum would be a fabulous way to integrate character
education with the study of wartime history. </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">The
seminar provided an opportunity for me to reflect on the character traits of
commitment, courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, and integrity as a
person and educator. </span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">As I see it, </span>teachers should use
the MOH resources and virtues/traits as a framework to introduce students to
the characteristics and stories of heroes and heroines in many fields and
professions. Teachers might retain the “medal” theme
offering students units and lessons about the “Presidential Medal of Freedom,”
the “Presidential Citizens Medal,” the “Liberty Medal” and the “Nobel Peace Prize,”
to name a few.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What we are really talking about here
is offering young people positive role models that may influence them <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5356969023734060285" name="_GoBack"></a>in their studies, their relations, their behaviors, and
their careers.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-81800563723133682952013-07-21T19:43:00.003-07:002013-07-21T19:43:58.202-07:00The 8 C's of CharacterThere are only two C’s in “character,” but one can find many words that begin with C in describing good, positive character traits and behaviors. I’ve compiled a few C words that show the attributes of character.<br /><br />1. Caring: Two important synonyms are “compassion” and “empathy.” Robert Krzaric wrote in The Greater Good’s e-newsletter that caring-empathy is one’s “ability to step into another person’s shoes, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives, and to use that understanding to guide our actions.” Most importantly, he notes that new research suggests that caring-empathy is “a habit we can cultivate.”<br /><br />2. Choice: Living a life of good character doesn’t happen by chance, nor does it happen by circumstance. It happens by choice. One of my favorite character education authors, Hal Urban, reminds us that no matter what the circumstances — “people, places, times, things, conditions” — your choices determine your actions and behaviors, not the circumstances. Somewhere in this C word, I sense virtues like respect, responsibility, perseverance.<br /><br />3. Citizenship: Two social studies specialists once wrote that the purpose of schooling is not to help people be better off, but to be better scholars, citizens and workers. They noted that a multicultural society needs roots. These roots, they said, are described in our founding documents, in our symbols and slogans, and in our personal and public civic virtues. Our schools, therefore, are called to educate the young to uphold (and sometimes challenge) core virtues such as trustworthiness, fairness, patriotism, justice, courage, responsibility, respect and honesty.<br /><br />4. Common sense: “Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his four stepbrothers I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I Am a Victim.” (CS Obituary printed in the London Times, date and author unknown)<br /><br />5. Company: “Character is how you behave in response to the company (peer groups, friends, family) you keep, seen and unseen,” according to psychologist Robert Coles in “The Call of Stories.” Who are the virtuous, the responsible agents, the moral teachers, and the positive role models that keep company with our young people? Is it their peer group, the entertainment industry, the Internet, Facebook, YouTube?<br /><br />6. Conscience: From the B.C. comic strip Pearls of Wisdom: “A conscience is what hurts when everything else feels great.” No need for further comment.<br /><br />7. Consequences: The penalty we pay or the internal-external rewards we receive from the choices we make. Behaviors have consequences — some positive, some negative. People make mistakes, including people of good character. But these people have what might be called “character strengths.” They hold themselves accountable, take responsibility, pay the consequences, learn from their mistakes and do not repeat them.<br /><br />8. Courage: As adults, we know our courage is tested daily. The young can be taught to meet the personal and social challenges to do the right thing; to stand up for their own and other’s rights; to make difficult decisions particularly when such decisions may not be easy or popular; and to have the courage to say “no” when invited to cheat, bully, harass or be unfair, impolite or disrespectful to others. As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”<br />What C words would you add to the list? Why?<br /><br /><i>Ed DeRoche is a former teacher, administrator, school board member, and dean. He has written several books and articles on character education. Currently he is the director of the Character Development Center at the University of San Diego and teaches in-class and online courses on instructional strategies, curriculum and programs, and character-based classroom management. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-60907631696785197632013-05-20T11:17:00.001-07:002013-05-21T10:16:41.849-07:00What is a character educator?By Ed DeRoche<br />
<br />
A strange thing happened to me at a holiday party. I was making the
rounds introducing myself to people I didn’t know. The most common
question, asked was, “Well what do you do? My answer stops people in
their tracks. They pause! They look quizzical, baffled and hesitant
about what to say next. Why? Because my answer to the question is “I am a
character educator?” Well, let’s have another drink and move on.<br />
<br />
What do I say if someone in the group asked, “Well, what is that?” Few do, of course, but how would I answer that question? “A character educator, I would explain, is someone who specializes in
educating others, mainly educators and parents, about the need to teach
young people (and some adults) what it means to be people of good
character.<br />
<br />
“But what do you do?” is usually the next question. I tell them: “I
teach, write, and consult with educators and parents at schools, in the
community, at parent-teacher meetings, at conferences, and in courses. I engage interested adults in conversations about helping young
people learn and practice positive social and emotional skills and the
virtues that the young need to learn and they need to model; virtues
like respect, responsibility, perseverance and empathy.”<br />
<br />
By now there are only two or three people in our group, the others
have wandered off to get another drink and have conversations about
sports, their favorite movies, and the latest issue of People magazine.
But for the three or four who remain (I’m counting my wife here), the
next question is usually: “How do you do that?”<br />
<br />
The “how” question is a little complicated and can lead to a
long-winded answer. A holiday party is no place to do that. So I suggest
that they let me ask them a few questions. “What do you think of when I
use the word ‘character’? After a short discussion, I remind them that
the word “character” has two Cs in it; one stands for “choices” and the
other for “consequences.” Living a life of good character, I tell them,
doesn’t happen by chance, nor does it happen by circumstance. It happens
by the choices we make. So as a character educator I try to help adults
teach the young to make good, positive, ethical choices and learn to
take responsibility (a virtue) for their actions and be willing to
accept the negative consequences and do something about them, as well as
celebrate the positive consequences.<br />
<br />
By this time, we are ready to move on and engage in conversations with others. As we conclude, I suggest three things<b>: </b><br />
<br />
One, that character matters no matter who you are or where you are.
Two, that they might look at character education this way: If exercising
builds strong muscles, then practicing the virtues of good behavior
builds strong character. Three, one important way that our children
learn character is from observing, imitating, and modeling what adults
say and do.<br />
<br />
This being the case, I remind them that they too are character educators.<br />
For some reason, I seldom get invited back to holiday parties.<br />
<br />
<i><a href="mailto:deroche@sandiego.edu">Ed DeRoche</a> is a former
teacher, administrator, school board member, and dean. He has written
several books and articles on character education. Currently he is the
director of the Character Development Center at the University of San
Diego and teaches in-class and online courses on instructional
strategies, curriculum and programs, and character-based classroom
management. <a href="http://www.sandiego.edu/soles/centers-and-research/character-development-center/">Join the party.</a></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-21216192129279015592013-04-24T13:05:00.003-07:002013-04-24T13:17:21.274-07:00Character Matters Summer Conference<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The 17<sup>th</sup>
Annual West Coast Character Matters Conference </b></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Character Development Center</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Department of Learning & Teaching<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">School of Leadership and Education Sciences </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">University of San Diego</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b>Pre-conference
Seminar</b><br />
Medal of Honor: Lessons of Personal Bravery and Self-Sacrifice </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Tuesday, June 25, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Character Matters Conference</span>
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Wednesday and Thursday, June 26 & 27, 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Theme: </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">CHARACTER EDUCATION IS THE</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">COMMON CORE FOR</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">EDUCATING <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BOTH</b> HEARTS and MINDS <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We value you as a character
educator of children and young people. We value your time and talent and the
choices you make to enhance your professional development.</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Educators continue to choose our Character Matters Conference
because they leave motivated and empowered with new knowledge, skills, and
content that will increase academic achievement and enhance classroom climate
and school culture. The conference is your opportunity to meet new people that
you can add to your <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">professional
learning network</b>.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />Pre-conference
Medal of Honor Seminar: June 25, 2013</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation Medal
of Honor:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lessons of Personal
Bravery and Self-Sacrifice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Purpose: To develop an understanding of the Medal
of Honor material and how it can be used in your classroom and to share best
practices using the specially prepared resources. Presented by two CMOH staff
members.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">ENROLLMENT IN SEMINAR AND CONFERENCE LIMITED TO 60
EDUCATORS <br />
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Character
Matters Conference: June 26 & 27, 2013</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The Question: How do educators and community
leaders foster and promote lessons for the mind and heart when teaching
character traits and skills in our schools and community? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Presenters: A variety of teachers and counselors
will share their ideas, suggestions, and experiences on why and how to
implement character traits and skills in your school and classroom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdlL5-rs2YY/UXgp8HoERtI/AAAAAAAABGo/mE8x7kCeak8/s1600/Dana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdlL5-rs2YY/UXgp8HoERtI/AAAAAAAABGo/mE8x7kCeak8/s1600/Dana.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Featured Speaker</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Dana Brown</b>, Social
Entrepreneur and Community & Youth Organizer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt;"><br />Heart-Based
Language</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Educating our Global Society Students</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Through Common Core & Trauma-Informed Schools</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /><br />Co-Presenters</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Audrey Hokoda, SDSU,
Child & Family Development<br />Rosa Ana Lozada, LCSW,
CEO, Harmonium</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carol Prime, SDSU, Center
for Critical Thinking & Creativity</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lynn Underwood, Executive Director,
Commission on Gang Prevention & Intervention</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr. Dorothy Zirkle,
SDSU,Chair, Nursing and Public Health</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other Conference Presenters</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b>Susan Schock</b>, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Teacher with 42 years of experience including 16
years teaching first grade at Toler Elementary School, a California
Distinguished School with a school-wide emphasis on character.</span><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style><i><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Fitting Character Education into Your Day</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />Susan will
share how she fits character education into her busy day. From literacy to
read-aloud to social studies to classroom management, opportunities to add
character to your day are there waiting for you. Participants will leave with
easy, ready-to-use activities and tips they can put into practice in their own
classrooms and schools. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </b><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJr0CHDTmnY/UXg586ORFMI/AAAAAAAABG4/JFjZov3CmFQ/s1600/David+H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJr0CHDTmnY/UXg586ORFMI/AAAAAAAABG4/JFjZov3CmFQ/s1600/David+H.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Featured Speaker</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />David
Hanlon, </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">High School teacher and head of the Vista High School Character
Leadership Program.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">David will share best practice strategies for creating a comprehensive
and effective character education program at your school site.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>Leor Levin</b>, Teacher, Wells
Middle School, California State School of Character <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />Integrating Mindfulness</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />
Attendees will gain insight as active participants into the benefits of
mindfulness, as well as how mindfulness can be integrated into the classroom
throughout the day. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><b>Molly Maloy</b>, Elementary School Teacher, Specialist Certificate in Character Education<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />Bringing
Character Alive in Your Classroom</i></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Using picture books to teach
character within the context of theme (aligned to the Common Core standards)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Character videos (with students
choosing a character trait, writing a script, filming, and editing)</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Fostering a
positive classroom environment </span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--</style></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><style> </style></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><style> </style></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;</style><b>Jocbethem
Tahapary</b>, M.Ed. Counselor, Oak Valley Middle School, PUSD</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 15.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /><i>PLUS Program</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This session will describe the PLUS Program used in the Poway Unified
School District. PLUS stands for Peer Leaders Uniting Students and the program
offers students the opportunity to engage in conversations and interactive
learning activities. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> SEMINAR &
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
Character Matters Conference-ONLY Registration Fee:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$200 per individual<br />
$125 per individual for schools sending two (2) or more educators</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$75 for students with ID (non-credit)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Includes: Breakfast & Lunch –two
days, two books, packet of 8x10 posters</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
One-Day Seminar ONLY – Medal of Honor Training Program Registration Fee:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$100 per individual</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$100 for students with ID (non-credit)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Includes: Breakfast & Lunch, MOH
instructional binder plus handouts (value= $120)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Seminar and Conference
- 3 Days</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$275 per individual</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$250 per individual for schools sending two (2)
or more educators</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">$150 for students with ID (non-credit)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Includes: Breakfast & Lunch –three days, MOH
binder ((value = $120), two books and packet of 8x10 posters</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.kintera.org/autogen/home/default.asp?ievent=1059832" target="_blank">Register online</a> </span><u style="text-underline: #001EE6;"><span style="color: #001ee6; font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Contact us for more information:
character@sandiego.edu</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-10664812131611478812013-04-10T10:24:00.002-07:002013-04-10T10:26:01.478-07:00Character & Academic Achievement<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Ed DeRoche<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Believe it or not, character
education (including social-emotional programs) promotes academic achievement.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I don’t
believe it!” “How can you make
such a statement?” “For such an
outlandish statement you need to show me proof!” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL8OFx88-ZY/UWWdoT14MHI/AAAAAAAABGM/yFZcAwpA9EM/s1600/DSCN4165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL8OFx88-ZY/UWWdoT14MHI/AAAAAAAABGM/yFZcAwpA9EM/s320/DSCN4165.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The case is rather straightforward.
When teachers – all school
personnel for that matter – take the time and make the effort to nurture character
development traits (values/virtues) such as respect, responsibility, self
–discipline, caring/empathy, honesty, trust, and fairness, there is a “pay-off”
academically, socially, and emotionally. Students, in all classrooms and in every school, need
education and guidance regarding their behaviors, their attitudes, and their actions.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few quotes from the
research (without references as I want to limit this blog to about 600-words)
will clearly suggest that character education instruction and academic
achievement are related.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“A 2011 meta-analysis of
school-based social and emotional learning programs, published in <u>Child
Development</u>, found significant improvements in academic achievement,
behavior, and attitudes compared with control groups.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“[Our study] found that
greater reliance on character education translated to higher state academic
test scores. Additional positive
results have been found within the closely related field of Social Emotional
Learning.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“[Researchers] performed a
meta-analysis of 213 school-based, social and emotional learning programs
involving 270,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Compared to control groups, SEL
participants demonstrated significant improvement in social and emotional
skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Russell J. Sojourner,
Director of Leadership Development, Character Education Partnership writes: “Perhaps no case is
more compelling than that of Ridgewood Middle School (Arnold, MO), which
Charles Haynes and I reported in <a href="http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/access/1220072981.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Feb+20%2C+2007&author=Charles+C+Haynes+and+Marvin+W+Berkowitz&pub=USA+TODAY&edition=&startpage=A.13&desc=What+can+schools+do%3F+%3B+Education+isn%27t+just+about+reading%252"><span style="color: windowtext;">USA Today</span></a> on February 20, 2007. Simply by transforming the horribly negative
school culture of a failing school by using character education principles,
they moved from state test scores with only 30% success in communication arts
and 7% success in mathematics in 2000 to 68% in communication arts and 71% in
mathematics.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is one of my favorites
because it introduces us to the emerging field of positive psychology. “We have found that students’ academic
achievement is influenced by a set of character strengths. Among middle-school students, the
character strengths of perseverance, love, gratitude, hope, and perspective
predicts academic achievement. Similar
results are found as well among college students.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is another: “Youths’ social, emotional, and academic development are
related, and promoting social and emotional development can lead to several
desirable outcomes…an increase in positive student behavior and academic
performance, and also a reduction in disruptive behavior and emotional
distress.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUUpfZ5u7-Q/UWWeu9hXAEI/AAAAAAAABGU/B-fcGKgsAGA/s1600/DSCN3971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUUpfZ5u7-Q/UWWeu9hXAEI/AAAAAAAABGU/B-fcGKgsAGA/s320/DSCN3971.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The
Child Development Project (Oakland, CA), implemented in many elementary schools
and written about in several research publications, demonstrated the “transfer
effect” of their character education program. When compared to a control-group, students in CDP’s character
education program were found to be more concerned for others, demonstrated more
altruistic behavior, learned greater conflict resolution skills, had a greater
liking for school and classes, and were more motivated to learn school
subjects. Most important, however,
“years later, students from the program’s schools were making greater academic
progress relative to their peers….”
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regarding
Paul Tough’s new book, <u>How Children Succeed</u><span style="font-size: small;">,</span> J. Nocera (New
York Times) <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5356969023734060285" name="_GoBack"></a>says: “…tapping into a great deal of recent
research, Tough writes that the most important things to develop in students
are ‘non-cognitive skills’ which Tough labels as ‘character.’ Many of the people who have done the
research or are running the programs that Tough admires have different ways of
expressing those skills. But they
are essentially character traits that are necessary to succeed not just in
school, but in life.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
we say and promote at this Center, CHARACTER MATTERS. It matters because helping children and youth develop
positive character traits and skills is an important means of helping them
become both smart and good, managing their emotions and behaviors, and becoming
productive and contributing citizens.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-42483448589951083662013-03-07T10:36:00.002-08:002013-03-07T10:36:42.752-08:00Character & Leadership
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 0 16778247 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-parent:"";
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:18164727;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-253347042 781345214 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:.75in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.75in;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:409157285;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1754887460 67698705 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-text:"%1\)";
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oixoPA6cXaw/UTjddXszjhI/AAAAAAAABFI/EpR5WW1tDJ0/s1600/blog+Lincoln.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oixoPA6cXaw/UTjddXszjhI/AAAAAAAABFI/EpR5WW1tDJ0/s320/blog+Lincoln.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When you deal with human beings in leadership
situations, you deal with what is essential to the study of leadership, namely,
moral and ethical issues. Through the study of lives, one finds out how
individuals have confronted specific actions and decisions relating to
leadership positions</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> - James MacGregor Burns, December 4, 2004</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
film “Lincoln” is the talk of the town. It has resurrected an interest in
the leadership styles of presidents, a topic that has been written about by
many historians and leadership scholars. We offer an undergraduate course on
the topic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The film confirms my
readings about Lincoln’s character— integrity, trust, honesty, fairness, a “sharing
leader”(Burns’ term) along with a strong sense of values, a commitment to them
(example: liberty and equality), and the ability to communicate (persuade).
Lincoln’s “approach shows that truth is a common denominator for all interactions,
among any group, and with people of varying personalities.” (D. Phillips, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lincoln On Leadership.)</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />While
there are no specific formulas for successful, effective leadership, there are guidelines
that potential and current leaders should not ignore. Studying Lincoln would be
a good place to start. Other examples are worth investigating as well. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Character,”
according to Zenger and Folkman (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Extraordinary Leader</i>) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">is
“the center pole, the core of leadership effectiveness.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Greenstein (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Presidential Difference</i>) offers six
qualities (might they be called “character traits?”) related to the leadership
styles and performances of presidents. These are public communication,
organizational capacity, political skill, vision, cognitive style, and emotional
intelligence</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Historian
and presidential scholar, Robert Dallek’s “Lessons from the Lives and Times of
Presidents,” describes seven factors that distinguish effective and ineffective
presidential leadership - vision, pragmatism, charisma, consensus, trust, judgment,
and luck. Notice the “character factors” specified or implied—trust,
perseverance, integrity, respect, responsibility, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
Turknett Leadership Group (</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.turknett.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">www.turknett.com</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">) offers the “Leadership Character Model”
stating that “Leadership is about character – who <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5356969023734060285" name="_GoBack"></a>you are
not what you do.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The model
includes three core qualities as the keys of “leadership character”:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Integrity</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> -- honesty,
credibility, trustworthiness. “Without integrity, no leader can be successful.”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Respect</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> -- empathy,
lack of blame, motivational mastery, humility. “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Respect
helps create a culture of partnership and teamwork.”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Responsibility</span></u><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> -- self-confidence,
accountability, focus on the whole, courage. “</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Great leaders
accept full responsibility for personal success and for the success of
projects, teams, and the entire organization.”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Those
of you in the education profession are “character educators.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You deal with “moral and ethical issues”
everyday. You are also educational leaders positioned at all levels—in the
classroom, at the school, in central office, in your professional community,
and in the public arena.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It
might be wise to examine who you are (your character and values), how you
perform (your skills and talents), and how you lead (sharing, partnerships,
team-building). <br /><br />By Ed DeRoche</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-17967616422636244042013-02-15T11:02:00.001-08:002013-02-15T11:02:42.479-08:00What About Empathy?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;"></span><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Ed DeRoche</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">"If your
emotional abilities aren't in hand, if you don't have self-awareness, if you
are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can't have empathy and
have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not
going to get very far.</span></i><i>" - </i>Professor<i> </i><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Daniel
Goleman</span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">Over the past month, we<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;">hav</span>e had informal discussions at the
Center about violence from bullying to bullets. </span>Teachers and parents,
given the events of the past few months, seem to be struggling to find ways and
resources to help their children be more in touch with their feelings and
concerns about what happens to themselves and others. Thus, I want to say a few words about empathy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">Reflecting on our discussions, I began asking myself
some questions about the emotions of sympathy and empathy. For example, the cards, flowers, letters
that the Sandy Hook tragedy generated<span style="font-size: small;"> - </span>were those the expressions of sympathy or
empathy? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">Other questions kept popping up. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">What is empathy? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">Is empathy different than sympathy? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">How does one learn to be emphatic? Can it be taught? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">Does the emotion “kick-in“ only when one actually experiences
a personal or social tragedy? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">Do we teach empathy in our schools? Is empathy in the curriculum? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">What do teachers have to know? How do teachers teach it? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">How do parents teach it? </span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">Where and how do the young learn to be
sympathetic-empathetic?</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #131313;">What resources are available for teachers and parents? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #131313;">So, like any good researcher, I “googled” the topic! As you might expect there is a rich array
of information. For example, I
discovered that there is a difference between sympathy and empathy. I discovered that there are three types
of empathy. I found out that there
are many resources available to teachers and parents. No 700-word blog will be able to
thoroughly answer all of these questions. The best I can do here is highlight three discoveries. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: #131313;">Discovery One</span></u><span style="color: #131313;">: There is a difference between
sympathy and empathy.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 9pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Empathy</b> is the ability to mutually experience the thoughts, <a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Category:Emotions" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">emotions</span></a>, and direct experience of others. It goes beyond <b>Sympathy</b>, which is a feeling of care
and understanding for the suffering of others. Both words have similar usage but differ in their emotional
meaning….Empathy (is) understanding what someone else is feeling because you
have experienced it yourself or can put yourself in his/her shoes. Sympathy (is) acknowledging a person’s
emotional hardships and providing comfort and assurance. <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Empathy_vs_Sympathy" target="_blank">http://www.diffen.com/<wbr></wbr>difference/Empathy_vs_Sympathy</a></span><i></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 9pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">There is much more to it then
these simple definitions. <span style="color: #131313;">My current
view is that there is probably a continuum that begins with the development of
an understanding and practicing of sympathy (caring, compassion, etc.) that
may “graduate” to enabling one to
really experience the empathic stage.</span><i></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: #131313;">Discovery Two</span></u><span style="color: #131313;">: There are three types of empathy—cognitive, emotional, and
compassionate. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Sam Chaltain (<i><a href="http://www.samchaltain.com/" target="_blank">www.samchaltain.com</a>)</i>, in his blog, “The Empathy Formula,” offers a “formula”
based on the works of Goleman and Ekman (<i>Emotional
Intelligence</i>). In summary, the first stage of becoming
empathetic is cognitive empathy - the act of knowing how another person feels. The capacity to
physically feel the emotions of another is identified as emotional empathy. Compassionate empathy is the combination
of cognitive and emotional empathy to take action about what one feels and
thinks. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Discovery Three</u>: There are resources for
teachers, counselors and parents/guardians.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 14pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> Three examples will
suffice.<b> </b><span style="color: #8c8c8c;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #003778;">a)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><i><span style="color: #003778;">Roots of Empathy</span></i><span style="color: #003778;"> (</span><a href="http://www.rootsofempathy.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c99; text-decoration: none;">http://www.rootsofempathy.org</span></a><span style="color: #003778;"><wbr></wbr>),</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #003778;">b)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><i><span style="color: #003778;">Second Step</span></i><span style="color: #003778;"> (</span><a href="http://www.cfchildren.org/second-step.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c99; text-decoration: none;">http://www.cfchildren.org/<wbr></wbr>second-step.aspx</span></a><span style="color: #003778;">). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">c)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><i><span style="color: #003778;">Tribes</span></i><span style="color: #003778;"> (</span><a href="http://tribes.com/about/tribes-tlc-and-character-education/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #007c99; text-decoration: none;">http://tribes.com/about/<wbr></wbr>tribes-tlc-and-character-<wbr></wbr>education/</span></a></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">We
have resources here at the Center that we will be pleased to send to anyone who
responds to this blog or emails us at <a href="mailto:character@sandiego.edu" target="_blank">character@sandiego.edu</a>.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5356969023734060285&pli=1" name="13cdf2f8b10a204a_13cdf153bfb2245e__GoBack"></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">I
will end the blog with this quote:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>“How young children FEEL is as important as how they
think, and how they are TREATED is as important as what they are taught.“</i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>- Jack Shonkoff, co-editor, <i>Neurons
to Neighborhoods</i></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-65739080481415808532013-01-22T19:44:00.001-08:002013-01-24T10:44:15.781-08:00The Other Side of the Report Card<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Consolas;
panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Consolas;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-hansi-font-family:Consolas;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.5pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Consolas;
mso-ascii-font-family:Consolas;
mso-hansi-font-family:Consolas;}
span.PlainTextChar1
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char1";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.5pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.5pt;
font-family:Courier;
mso-ascii-font-family:Courier;
mso-hansi-font-family:Courier;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1019043070;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-1422078154 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The school year consists partly of “school chiefs” and
others pushing national and state standards, applying pressure to increase
students’ test scores, and promoting “laserlike, focused efforts” on the
teaching of math, science, and reading. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few school leaders talk about the “citizenship side” of the
report card. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, it is this side
of the report card that tells the real story about student achievement and
behavior because it assesses social and emotional skills, and character traits.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “citizenship” side of the report card
should not take second place in the “race to the top.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Michelle Borba, the author of the book, <u>Building
Moral Intelligence</u>, writes: “Today’s kids are being raised in a much more
morally toxic atmosphere than previous generations for two reasons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, a number of critical social
factors that nurture moral character are slowly disintegrating: adult
supervision, models of moral behavior, spiritual or religious training,
meaningful adult relationships, personalized schools, clear national values,
community support, stability, and adequate parents. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, our kids are being steadily bombarded with outside
messages that go against the values we are trying to instill. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both factors make it much harder for parents
to raise moral kids.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">There is concern enough for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Newsweek</i> (September 2004) to run a theme issue titled, “How to Say
NO to Your Kids: Setting Limits in the Age of Excess.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Josephsen’s Institute’s annual poll
of teens reveals a rather high percentage of teens who cheat, steal, lie, and
exhibit a “propensity toward violence” including bullying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teacher polls show that teachers find
students to be less respectful, more aggressive, more impulsive and impatient,
and display more inappropriate language. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One observer of the youth culture noted that the mantra of
the “ME” generations appears to be: “I Know My Rights - I Want It Now - Someone
Else Is To Blame - I'm A Victim.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">The other side of the report card also underscores
the importance of social and emotional skills in the workplace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the top five
traits/qualities that Fortune 500 companies seek in employees are: teamwork,
problem solving, interpersonal skills, communicating skills, and the ability to
listen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thomas Stanley, in his book,
<u>The Millionaire Mind</u>, reports that a polling of 5,000 millionaires
reveal that crucial to their success was integrity (being honest), discipline
(self-control), social skills (getting along) and hard work (perseverance). </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">As we think about these observations and the
citizenship side of our children’s report cards it might be wise to ask three
questions: </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Do we really believe that children are born
“morally literate?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Do we believe that they need to be taught to be
moral (knowing the difference between right and wrong) and ethical (doing what
is right) at home, in school, and in the community? </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">If we want our children to be good, caring,
empathetic human beings, do we let this happen by chance or do we help them
develop positive social and emotional skills?</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">We require, push, demand, cajole our children to
learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and computing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is more basic than nurturing
them to be caring, civil, responsible, respectful human beings who know and
practice the “Golden Rule”? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daniel
Goleman in his book, <u>Emotional Intelligence</u>, notes that IQ accounts for
about 20% of success in life while the remaining 80% is attributed to factors
related to emotional intelligence, such as self–awareness, managing emotions,
empathy, social consciousness, self-restraint, and nurturing positive
relationships.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">As this school year continues, let all of us join the
many schools and communities in this county who are attending to the
“citizenship” side of the report card by implementing programs designed to
teach students democratic values, prosocial skills, emotional control and anger
management, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and what it means to be
a good citizen. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Ed DeRoche, Director</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Character Development Center</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">University of San Diego</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">619-260-2250</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-85062974918566579662013-01-17T14:24:00.001-08:002013-01-17T16:32:43.866-08:002012 Character Matters Essay Contest Winners<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Elementary School</b><br /><br /><b>1st Place</b><br />"PEOPLE ARE LIKE PUZZLES"<br />By Eitan Breziner, Grade 5<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Teacher: Hagit Cohen-Hamo</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />San Diego Jewish Academy<br /><br /><b>2nd Place</b><br />"FRIENDSHIP MATTERS"<br />
By Rachel Ownbey, Grade 4</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Teacher: Cindy Canfield</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Berry Elementary<br /><br /><b>3rd Place</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />"CHARACTER MATTERS TO ME"<br />By Maria Ines Acosta, Grade 5<br />Teacher: April Henry <br />St. Therese Academy<br /><br /><b><br />Middle School</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b>
</b><br /><b>1st Place</b><br />"1,825 DAYS"<br />By Ana Laura Castro, Grade 8<br />Teacher: Juan Escamilla<br />Nestor Language Academy Charter School<br /><br /><b>2nd Place</b><br />"THIRD TIME'S A CHARM"<br />
By Noah Packard, Grade 7<br />Teacher: Kim Pittner<br />Coronado Middle School<br /><br /><b>3rd Place</b><br />"THE CLOWN DEATH MARCH"<br />
By Kimberly Strater, Grade 7<br />Teacher: Michele Gallo<br />Oak Valley Middle School<br /><br /><br /><b>High School</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br /><b>1st Place</b><br />"CHARACTER MATTERS"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jackeline Recinos, Grade 9<br />Teacher: Erika Heinzman <br />Kearny
High Complex S1B</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>2nd Place</b><br />
"CHARACTER"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By Adam
Motiwala, Grade 12<br />Teacher: Sumaiyah Vedder <br />National University Academy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>3rd Place</b><br />"MY INSPIRATION"</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Megan
Davey, Grade 10<br />Teacher: Cynthia
Hedges<br />Point Loma High School</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-86622117980998980372011-03-09T13:51:00.000-08:002011-03-10T09:05:14.482-08:00A Case Study in Peace Education<div>USD graduate student Jennifer Edstrom took part in the Character Development Center's course, "Resources for Teaching Peace," which involved exploring personal goals for teaching peace, sharing ideas and experiences, and researching resources to further individual efforts. As one of her assignments, she interviewed teachers from The Children's School in La Jolla, California, in order to demonstrate how TCS measures up against the exemplars of peace education. Hear what the teachers at TCS have to say in the following video.</div><!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--> <div><br /></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='461' height='366' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyzKJptVZkXXcs7m0r-t6yH3MjCMX_ycBktwaQGrvlOVQpB934cgxWVXzpgyFKGXRbKyV3XfKkVs0n7pru7mw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-14403826032152167652011-02-07T16:04:00.000-08:002011-02-21T15:17:23.699-08:00Finding Courage Within Myself by Ryan Hobbib<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, Elementary School Division</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When I was eight years old, and in third grade, my dad and my whole family went through a difficult time. That’s when my dad was first diagnosed with a large cancerous tumor in his right leg. I didn’t know a lot about cancer before that, but I’ve learned more about it over the past year and a half.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I’ve also learned a lot about the strength and courage you need to be able to get through challenging times when everything seems uncertain.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When I think about character traits and values that I think are important in life, going through this experience with my family has taught me many things. It has taught me to be positive even when things are challenging. I learned from the example my dad set that you can never give up, no matter what. Throughout everything that happened to him, my dad never complained, and he was so strong and brave. Watching him go through his surgery, his cancer treatments, and his therapy has inspired me greatly to always give whatever it is that I’m doing my best effort.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My dad had to stop working, had surgery to remove the tumor, and had lots of radiation and physical therapy to try to get better. He couldn’t walk for awhile and my mom had to drive him everywhere. There were days when I could tell my dad was tired or in pain, but he still tried his best and told his doctors and his therapists that he was going to do “ten times better” than the goals they had set for him. And guess what?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He did just that most of the time because of his determination to get better and his positive mental attitude. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Some days I felt scared because I didn’t know what was going to happen and my dad wasn’t feeling very good. When I felt that way, my family, friends, and my teachers really helped me out by staying positive and strong for me, which helped me get back to thinking positive again.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My dad has made a lot of improvement in the last year and a half.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Dealing with my dad’s cancer has changed me in several ways.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Before my dad was sick, I wasn’t very confident in myself. I didn’t think I could handle difficult situations or extreme challenges. While my dad was in the hospital having surgery to remove the tumor from his leg, I was very fearful that something bad could happen during the surgery. But I went to school that day and I tried my best to keep my mind off of the things that scared me and I prayed that my dad would be okay.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Making it through a hard thing like my dad’s cancer has taught me that I </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">do</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> have the strength inside of me.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am not a scaredy-cat like I thought I was!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom is also a role model for me. While my dad was going through this, my mom took care of him and my younger sister and me the whole time. She had to do everything for all of us and never once complained. She made sure we could see our dad after surgery and told us what dad was going through so we weren’t as worried.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">All year long, mom made sure my sister and I had lots of fun and special things to do, even though she was taking care of my dad full-time. She still volunteered at my school and at our church’s bible camp during the summer.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom sits down with me every night and helps me and my sister with our schools projects and homework. She helps out at school and church events, even if she is tired. One of the biggest reasons I do so well in school is because of my mom’s love, support and encouragement. My mom always tells me that I can be anything I want to or dream to be if I do my best and do something that I enjoy.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One of the best lessons my mom has taught me ever is to always give to people who need help. Last year, I helped her in donating school supplies to the Monarch School for homeless kids, food drives for poor families, and Christmas presents for kids in Mexico, even though our family was struggling through a hard time because of my dad’s health condition at the time.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I appreciate my parents’ example of courage to stay strong and brave and to never give up, no matter what.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It’s also very important to be kind to others and do what we can to help make a positive difference in the world. I believe these character values will help me as I go through life and in the decisions that I will make in the future</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Calibri;font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-family:Calibri;font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-37083079767216830532011-02-07T16:02:00.000-08:002011-02-15T10:35:26.338-08:00Grammy: My Great Grandma Hovatter by Ryan Komasa<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 2</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, Elementary School Division</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My great grandma lived from 1929-2004.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She grew up poor on a farm in Arizona. Grammy had a lot of character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She was honest, courageous, respectful, responsible, and had self-discipline.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She was a great example.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I felt she was a great person.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy was Honest.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She always told the truth and regretted her sins.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you asked a question she would tell the truth.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She thought little lies where as bad as big ones.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy had courage.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She comforted us when we got scared.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She had courage to try something new.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She had courage to tell the truth in life.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She also had the courage to stand up to whatever life threw at her because she knew God was at her side.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy had the courage to leave everyone she loved to move to Africa and Saudi Arabia to teach people how to use big farm equipment.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She spent many years there helping people she didn’t know because she thought it was the right thing to do.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy had respect for both, living and dead, mean and nice in heaven and in hell.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy respected all of God’s creations. She had great respect for the desert where she grew up and taught me how to respect the desert too.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She loved the desert and took us on what she called rock hunting for hours at a time.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We’d bring back many rocks.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Then we would crack some of them open.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy loved the desert rose the most.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sometimes we would go for walks and at night, we would eat hamburgers and toast marshmallows.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy would say the desert is peaceful and quiet.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Every holiday like; Christmas, Easter, Forth of July, Grammy would go to grave sites of loved ones and clean up the headstones.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She would put beautiful flowers in the holders and pray for them.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy was responsible.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She took responsibility when she did something wrong.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She took responsibility in love and in lost hope.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy felt it was her responsibility to help others.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy was part of the P.E.O. organization where women help women advance.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.E.O. has grown and is a great responsibility.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">P.E.O stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy took care of a lot of people.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She took care of my Mom when she was a little girl and my grandma was at work.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy took care of her parents and uncle when they got old and needed help. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy was a great example to everyone.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy had self discipline.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She never took drugs, drank alcohol, or smoked.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She went to Church every Sunday and lived a healthy life.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She took care of herself, her house, her family, and her pets.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She made sure to take care of God’s creations.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy was loyal to me and I love her.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We share the same birthday.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I think it is cool because we could celebrate together.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After Grammy died, every year on our birthday we put an extra candle for her on the cake.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We all miss Grammy very much.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She watches us from Heaven.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One of my favorite memories of Grammy is her last Thanksgiving with us.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I think we were at her house in Yuma.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We went to the desert and went rock hunting. Grammy found us each a desert rose.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She held my hand and smiled the whole time.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">That was one of the last memories I have of Grammy.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I miss Grammy a lot.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy is a part of me.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Grammy had all you needed in life.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She had honesty, courage, respect, responsibility and self-discipline.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-70491117509876870492011-02-07T16:00:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:39:07.176-08:00Why Character Counts by Madina Ansari<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, Elementary School Division</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Jessica, Jessica” I whispered to my sister</span></span><span style="color:red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">while we were at Walmart. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Look at that woman’s nails! They’re soo long,” I whispered. “They could probably reach Antartica!” “He-he-he,” laughed my sister. “Girls,” said my mom. “Stop talking about people,” she scolded. “It’s very rude,” she said. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Two days later at Target.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Rubye, Rubye,” whispered my sister. “Look at that lady’s hair.” “It’s all green and ugly,” she said. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mom heard what she said.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Jessica, what did I say about talking about people?” “Sorry,” she apologized. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“But that’s what Rubye does!” My mom gave me a stern look.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Do you see where she’s learning this from?”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I immediately realized that even at a young age, my character can affect someone else’s character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character matters for many reasons. Some of the best character traits are: being kind to people, helping others, and being a superb role model. What makes you a good or bad person depends on how your character is. If you have good character, then you make good choices even if no one is around. If you have bad character, then you do not care to be rude when people are present or not.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One character trait that is essential is being respectful towards people. If you are respectful towards everyone, no matter who they are, they will probably respect you in return. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">When you respect people, you will judge others by their character instead of their appearance. You will also be tolerant of other cultures and ideas, and open to new things. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If you are respectful toward other people, then you could find a variety of friends in life. On the other hand, if you are disrespectful, you could end up a lonely and bitter person. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Overall, being respectful is a very important trait to have.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Another trait that is just as significant as respect is being caring and helpful. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Whenever anyone has a problem, you should always help them out of the kindness of your heart. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This action shows good character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For example, when my friend, Lisa, called me asking for our class spelling word list which she left in her desk, I gave her the spelling list so she could study and complete her homework.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was simple.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I didn’t tell her that I would give her the list if she gave me, for example, a dollar.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Helping people from your heart is special because God will give you good deeds for it. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Assisting someone only for the expectation of getting help or something in return is not a good etiquette nor does it shape good character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character especially counts because we are all role models to everyone. As I mentioned before, even if you don’t think that people are looking up to you, they are. When I mentioned the woman with the long nails to my sister, she, too, started gossiping. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom was not only annoyed with the gossiping, but also upset at me for showing my younger sister a bad example. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I now know that even if you don’t have a younger brother or sister, everyone is still a role model. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Many role models are famous people such as Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Ghandi, Biddy Mason, and much more.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Boycotts against unfair rules, marches against segregation, peaceful protests against injustice, and caring for children and healing the sick, are all examples good character. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And you don’t have to be famous or sing songs to be a good role model. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">You can be a fine role model in your classroom to influence other children. Your classmates will imitate your good qualities and not your bad ones. Being a good role model is very valuable because you yourself will have good character and will influence others to have good character.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Having good character makes you feel good inside and out. You will be a role model, and a respectful, caring, and helpful person. Having these qualities will make you an outstanding citizen. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A month later my family was at the store again.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Jessica, Jessica!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Look at that woman’s--” I stopped.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“What were you going to say?” my sister asked.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“Oh, nevermind.” I replied. “I was going talk about someone to you.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom added, “That’s good that you learned to be a good role model for your sister and you taught yourself not to gossip.”</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My heart was filled with jubilation.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">SO, FOLLOW ME AND ACT TODAY!</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">START BEING AN EXCELLENT ROLE MODEL:</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">BE CARING, HELPFUL AND RESPECTFUL!</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-14518862810450357372011-02-07T15:59:00.000-08:002011-02-21T15:16:10.713-08:00The Elements of Character by Rex Hammock<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', fantasy;"> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Character Matters Essay Contest, 1st Place, Middle School Division</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Character is one of the most important aspects of a person. True character comes from the ability to overcome obstacles and learn from one’s mistakes. It is the ability to see those who need help, and be able to put aside one’s own needs in order to take care of the people who need help the most. I have witnessed “true character” from not only my own grandpa, but also by a nameless newspaperman who I see every day on my way to school. In both my grandfather and the paper man, I see similar traits of faith, cheerfulness, and perseverance. These elements help develop strong character in people, and we are drawn to people with these traits.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;text-indent:48.0pt;line-height: 150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The greatest example of someone with a strong moral character is my grandpa. My grandmother is in poor health; she is in the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease. She and my grandpa have been married for over fifty years, but sometimes she does not recognize him anymore. This, however, does not prevent my grandpa from caring for her so lovingly on a daily basis. He keeps a positive spirit and cheerful attitude and continues to feed her and provide for her, expressing often how the vows he took over fifty years ago still remain on his mind and heart.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;text-indent:48.0pt;line-height: 150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;line-height:150%;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although he has had his own health issues over the last few years, he maintains a happy demeanor and does not complain. I often wonder how my grandpa manages to keep a smile on his face throughout the day when things seem difficult for him. A few years ago he was attacked by a pitbull when he was walking in a canyon. The dog ran away from its owner and attacked my grandpa. The owner called 911, but did not wait around to help my then-eighty-year-old grandpa. In fact, the owner disconnected his phone soon afterward, and never paid any of the bills that were the result of my grandpa’s injuries and hospital stay. Yet, my grandpa never complained; instead he offered up his sufferings to God. He prayed a lot and said he felt grateful to be alive. That is my grandpa’s character—loving, cheerful, and accepting. Every time I see him, he gives me a great big hug, and usually offers me a favorite treat, like ice-cream. Recently I asked him how he was able to always be happy, even when Grandma is having a bad day. His answer was short and simple: faith.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:13.0pt;text-indent:48.0pt;line-height: 150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I was not surprised by his answer. He is a devout Catholic who prays a lot and has a strong relationship with God. He told me that every day when he wakes up, he thanks God and asks Him to help him throughout the day. After this, I started to think more about what my grandpa said and I determined that my grandpa was right. If we have faith and trust the Lord, we can conquer obstacles that we normally cannot. Ever since my grandpa taught me this, I have tried to rely on prayer and my faith more. I want to be more like him. He has helped me to think of others who seem forgotten by most people, like the newspaperman on Highway 101.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The newspaperman stands on the island in the middle of the street, trying to sell newspapers to people who pass his way. I see him every day on the way to school. He is a bearded man, with large hands and dark eyes. His appearance reflects what must have been a difficult life. I look forward to seeing him every morning though. There is something about his spirit, his character, that draws me in. I always have a dollar ready for him; I look for him a few blocks ahead of where he stands on the island, by the Starbucks on Highway 101. I look for his usual large, round hand waving enthusiastically at me, as he walks toward our van when he sees us. Despite what he may be feeling inside, he smiles broadly, exposing gaps in his smile from missing teeth. I know that this man is involved in a newspaper program to help him get off the street. He is hired to sell newspapers; he is learning to work again, and to be responsible. He is always cheerful. Every day, he gives us a newspaper, thanks us for buying it, shouts a hearty “God bless you,” and wishes my sister and me a good day at school. Although I have only known him for a month, and I still don’t even know his name, he is a big part of my morning routine. There is something about his character that is admirable; he is trying so hard to work again, to be a part of something again. How he is able to maintain such a friendly disposition when most cars speed by him must be difficult, but he does it. Even in the rain! One day last month it was raining very hard on our way to school. I was certain that I wasn’t going to see the paperman as the weather was too harsh. However, when we arrived at the usual spot, I saw him standing alone in the cold rain wearing a long, blue raincoat, his newspapers bundled in plastic wrap, and his everlasting smile still beaming broadly. The fact that he was trying to sell his papers in the pouring rain meant a lot to me. This expressed to me the man’s fierce determination and perseverance to maintain his commitment. I admire his character. He was not going to let the rain prevent him from reaching his goals, or dampen his spirit.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="line-height: 150%; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Therefore, faith, a cheerful attitude, and perseverance are valuable elements of our character. Without these traits, we would not believe in our ability to carry out even small tasks when times seem difficult. With faith and perseverance, we carry out our daily duties and keep our promises, while maintaining a cheerful attitude. Faith strengthens our character; we can place our trust in God and rely on Him to help us through the toughest trials. A trusting and faithful heart is reflected in the cheerful actions of both my grandpa and the newspaperman. They kept their word. Indeed, they are great men of character.</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-26949280058547314822011-02-07T15:53:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:44:06.275-08:00Seattle Story: A Memoir of One Good Pig by Tri Le<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 2</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, Middle School Division</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I don’t remember much of my past. The parts I do remember are because they really stick out to me, mean something to me. Like the time I was in Seattle. I think I was about 7 or 8 at that time. When I remember it, I relive some funny, good moments my family and I had, like seagulls pooping on my sister, or that amazing king’s crab dish I had. Then there are the sadder, more serious, mellow parts.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My sister always called me a pig. I ate tons of food, and for some unfathomable reason, could gulp down 4 dishes while my sister was still slowly finishing her second. Buffets were my favorite. I would consume 2-3 dishes full to the top and keep going like it was a race or something. I don’t know how I could keep eating. Maybe it was because I needed that stuff to grow, but I think it was because I just loved food. “Always room for good food,” I’d say, and swallow a chocolate opera cake, while my sister looked at me, disgusted. I didn’t really think a lot about how much I ate, or anything else, for that matter, until I met that homeless person.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Of course, I had been at a restaurant. Not too shabby, but not too fancy either. Didn’t really matter though, because I was hungry and the food tasted good. As usual, I kept ordering and ordering food until I felt that my stomach would explode and as usual, my sister was disgusted by the amount of food I could eat. She kept asking my mom why she let me buy and eat so much food. My mom was on my side, however. She would just smile and say,” A growing boy needs to eat,” then affectionately pat my head. There I was, full to the top, belly bulging like a hot air balloon and slouching on the comfy couch-like seat. But I had ordered too much. A last dish of nice, steaming hot calamari came out before me, and it took all that I had to say,” To-go.” I was rather happy as I walked outdoors with my family, one hand carrying a plastic bag to eat later, and the other hand rubbing my stomach, trying to calm the aching. It was a typical Seattle day, cloudy but not gloomy. The street was bustling with cars, and the occasional couple passed us on the sidewalk. I vaguely recall that everyone seemed happy. But that’s when I saw him.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It was a dark huddled figure on the gray sidewalk that stuck up from it like a big rock would from the ground. The people passing by, I noticed, seemed to be moving around him in a hurry, as if he had the plague. Well, maybe not that, but they were definitely avoiding him. Our parked car was ahead of us but so was he. As I walked forward, I could see…his ragged clothes, shirt too small and his pants too big…an unclean beard that could use a shaving…a dark piece of cloth around him that was too small to be a blanket, but was probably what he used it for…and I guess he had this aura of…dirtiness. His back was against a wall of the building on the left side and in one of his hands was a small cardboard sign. I don’t remember what it had said, maybe something about God, or asking for money, or something about his hardships. But it was his eyes that really got to me. Whether they were blue, brown, gray or black, that didn’t matter. All I had seen were a pair of sad, tired eyes that seemed like they wanted something better. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I saw all of this as I walked by him. Looking back, I can’t believe I didn’t help him right then and there. But then again, I was sort of young and he looked scary. I was feeling sad while I walked past him, and towards the car. I didn’t know why I was sad at that time. Later I realized it was because no one was helping him. No one was going to even try to make his life better. Just as I was about to get into the car, I paused and looked back. There was the old man, still hunched up there, with people still walking around him like they would a big puddle. I had decided what I would do already. I ran back, slowing down as I got nearer to him. His head was bent, looking down at people’s feet walking past him. “ Excuse me,” I whispered. The old man’s head turned towards my feet, then looked up at me. This time, I got a good look at his face. It could have been anyone else’s, just less clean, thinner, and sadder. I awkwardly held out my to-go bag. You should have seen his face. It lit up like a light bulb. His gaunt, gray cheeks turned a rosy color, and his dark soulless eyes suddenly had life in them. He smiled widely, revealing his yellow, crooked uneven teeth that had gaps in between. For a brief second, I could see him as a person. Well, you know what I mean. I could see him not poor anymore, having a steady job, clean-shaven, well-dressed. His smile was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw. Actually, it was nasty and gross, but it made me see how much it meant to him, and that made me feel like I was on top of the world.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He extended his left hand and gently took the bag from my hand.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I ran back to my mom and sister. As I left, I could hear him say something. I imagined it was something like “God bless you, child” or maybe it was just a simple “Thank you.” Anyways, when I got back to the car, I was as giddy as a spring pig. I can’t explain it that much, but I just had this wonderful feeling of helping someone that made me jump for joy all around.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My sister had always said I was a pig. She was right. Every time I saw a chance to help someone else from then on, I tried to do just that before that window of opportunity closed. But like they say, every time God closes a window, he opens a door. Or at least I think that’s what they say. But what I mean is that there’s always another opportunity for me to help someone.Sometimes I think back to that homeless person, and wonder what he did after I gave him food. And I sometimes I exaggerate too, what that simple dish of calamari did for him. Maybe it gave him the energy to ask for hiring companies and landed him a job. Maybe not. But like Leo Buscaglia said,” Too often do we underestimate…the smallest acts of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” I got that one from a book.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I don’t remember much of my past unless it has these really good moments that mean something to me. Well…maybe I can remember more if I create really good moments.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-53290071533211481262011-02-07T15:51:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:45:40.765-08:00True Beauty by Lisa Vo<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, Middle School Division</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">To be beautiful, but supercilious, is nothing. To be intelligent, but disdainful, is nothing. To be talented, but rapacious, is also nothing. But to be a person of meritorious character, even if lacking beauty, intelligence, or talent, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">is</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> everything. In life, you have two choices -the choice to do what is right and the choice to do the contrary. A person of character not only does what is right in the presence of others, but also does what is right in the absence of others. The greatest people in this world are not measured by their success, but rather by their values. We are all delivered into this world with nothing. It is what we do in life that determines whether we still have nothing, or, in fact, everything, when we are delivered out of this world.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is quite a lucky thing to be a person born of superior beauty. However, if beauty is all you have, then what use is it? If your looks have you holding your chin up higher than your eyes, then you better be careful not to trip over your own pride. In a world revolved around material things, we must strain to keep our hearts right. By practicing good character, we are earning ourselves a lifetime of happiness. We cannot always count on things that we think will always be there. And we must never take anything for granted. Even after your looks have faded into the darkness of time and the grays of your past days, your inner beauty will forever and always be shining. Take the time to acquire that inner beauty. Become a benevolent, altruistic person to ensure that even after your money and appearance have dwindled, your family and friends will not have faded with them. Money cannot buy happiness, except for the little snippets of spurious joys that disappear as quickly as they come. Be a virtuous and kind human being, and happiness will come naturally. Show the world that you are capable of repaying back the life it has given you. Take what you are blessed with and turn it into something greater. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Even a lifetime of education cannot amount to the importance of one’s character. What is the point of attaining years and years of education, and in the end not making any use of it? Why flush it all down the toilet when you can turn that education into something that can benefit this world? So many people take school for granted these days, unaware that there are poor children in Africa and Asia who can’t even dream of going to school. Never take anything or anyone for granted. Embrace your life and all the gifts that come with it. Get somewhere in this world -not only through education, but through the uses of all the six pillars of character, and even beyond that. Look at all the great figures in history. Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr., the Wright brothers, and Michael Jackson are just a few to name. These people did not get to where they did with just their intellect or their talents alone. They did it with perseverance and good character. They showed the world that life is not about pushing your way into success, but parting the crowd through justice, responsibility, respect towards others, and magnanimity. However, talent and brain is not always everything. I have met many magnificent people in my life who have not been blessed with a proper education, nor have they any notable talents, yet they are both inspiring and admirable because they shine from within where great character is embedded into their hearts. They earned love and admiration from others through their actions, not talents. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The day we learn how to live and love without hatred, jealousy, lies, and greed will be the day happiness arrives and stays in this world. Prove yourself trustworthy, be respectful to others, take responsibility for your actions, treat everyone fairly, help others in need, and practice civic virtues. Nothing else in this world is more important than good character. No amount of money, looks, intelligence, or talent will earn you happiness alone. Bring happiness to others, and others will bring happiness to you. Live, love, and forgive. “Make footprints worth following.” And always remember...character matters! May your true beauty shine</span></span></span><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> through!</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-51074783387227616182011-02-07T15:50:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:47:18.777-08:00Changing Hearts by Rebecca Hammock<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 1</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">st</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, High School Division</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', fantasy;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span></b><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Among most high school generations, there is a constant theme of wanting to “be the change”. The message is spread through public figures, administrators, and students all over the country. While wanting to “be the change” is all well and good, there is a much deeper foundation that must be addressed before change can actually take place in a person. That foundation is character.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The term “character” encompasses so many things: from integrity, to responsibility, to citizenship. Character is who we are when no one’s watching. It is the personal values and goals we make for ourselves and reflect in our actions. Character is leading by the example of our ways, and not simply our words.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom exemplifies the value of integrity to me more than anyone else. Integrity is about honesty and a respect for fairness, and about wanting to do the right thing, even when it may not be the easiest decision. Several years ago when all my siblings were still very young, my mom took us to the market to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Since she had waited until the day before Thanksgiving, she was forced to buy an expensive fresh turkey, as there was not enough time to defrost the cheaper frozen turkey which was more within her budget. When she returned home and looked at the receipt, she noticed that she had been charged for a much smaller turkey. The cashier did not enter the proper dollar amount per pound for the expensive fresh turkey that she had bought. Instead of celebrating the mistake that gave her several more dollars, she immediately packed up all five of us again, and returned to the busy store with the money that she owed. She knew she would not feel right if she hadn’t paid the correct price. No one forced her to go back; her integrity helped her recognize what the right thing to do was, so she did it. The manager was so happy that she had returned to the store that he presented her with a free bouquet of flowers and thanked her for what she had done. I remember the flowers that graced our table that Thanksgiving, still a symbolic reminder to me of the importance of integrity and character.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I try to apply my mother’s example of integrity to my own life as well. Last year, I noticed that my English teacher had marked three of my answers on a quiz as “correct”, when, in fact, I had answered them wrong. I felt unsettled about taking the higher grade, so I explained the problem to my teacher. Because of my honesty, she gave me the higher grade that I had originally received. She thanked me for coming to her about it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">People appreciate integrity, which is why my teacher and the manager of the grocery store felt compelled to offer a reward. It is so easy to choose to “let things go” and let integrity take the backseat so you can get what you want, but it is so important not to. Actions that reflect integrity make a person seem trustworthy, and it draws others in. People want to be with people whom they trust. Gaining trust is difficult, but maintaining integrity is a sure way to get it.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My grandfather is the greatest example of a responsible person that I have ever known. Though he is eighty-three years old and has several health problems, he insists on taking care of my grandmother, who suffers from dementia. The wedding vows they made more than fifty years ago meant something to him, they were not just repeated words spoken in front a crowd of friends. His wedding vows were promises made in front of friends, God, family, and his future bride, my grandmother.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He vowed to be there for her “in sickness and in health” and knows that it is his responsibility to keep this vow. Taking care of her is often tiring and frustrating, but he does it every day, offering up his own suffering in union with God.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My grandfather constantly tells my grandmother that he loves her, repeating it several times so that she is sure to remember. She always smiles and repeats, “I love you.” My grandpa’s strength of character is sure to have made a difference in my grandmother’s life. Even though she cannot recall his name, she </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">feels</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> his love. This is the epitome of true character; to serve and love unconditionally those who need help. He is “the change” needed in our society but that is because his foundation, his character, is well formed. His heart and mind have been strengthened and formed by serving others, rather than focused on tending to his own desires.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Though I do not have quite the task that my grandfather does in my own life, I still try to pattern my own actions after his. I take my responsibility as an older sister, seriously. By caring for my younger siblings, they feel loved. When I babysit them, I check that they complete their homework, are fed and bathed, and go to bed at the proper time. Showing responsibility for the safety of others actively demonstrates that you care for them and love them. Often, it is the members in our own family who we ignore or treat unkindly. Yet, if we start by serving our own family, our foundation gets strengthened and we will be able and willing to recognize those within our own community who also need help. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Citizenship, in addition to responsibility and integrity,</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">is an important trait that should come to mind when character is discussed. It is the idea of being present and active in the community, being conscious of the laws and regulations, and helping the less fortunate. It is largely about service to the community. After helping one’s family, this is the next step to “be the change”. Recognize the quiet, helpless within our family and community, and then start loving them through actions.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Many believe that “be the change” is about forcing others into action. However, change cannot happen overnight. Forcing others to comply with “be the change” smacks of selfish behavior, as it seems devoid of true depth of purpose.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A person with character leads by example, without calling attention to himself. Citizenship is important, and small steps in humble service to others will lead to a stronger character and more active participation in the future.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thus, the only real way to “be the change” is by changing hearts in the community. I have learned the value of giving time to others, and spending less time on myself.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">If hearts are not changed, and there are no modifications in spirit, then things will largely stay the same. This is why a real change of heart is important. As human beings, we are inherently good. We want to be the best we can, and we want to help others. However, we often find excuses not to do so. Whether it is time, work, money, or something else, there is always an obstacle in the way of us and change.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">By taking an active role in our own family and community, we will be able to show others how to change, and one by one, hearts will be transformed. It is more than just “being the change” in high school. Only by helping others, can we really be transformed ourselves. Integrity, responsibility and citizenship must be exemplified through my own actions before I will be seen as a positive role model, and as one that has the ability to change the hearts of others. If hearts are changed, character is built, and love takes over the spirit of a community.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-20199213741665189122011-02-07T15:42:00.000-08:002011-02-07T16:48:23.804-08:00Loving Others by Maggie Hammock<!--StartFragment--> <p class="NormalWeb1" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0.1in; margin-left: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 2</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, High School Division</span></span></p><p class="NormalWeb1" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0.1in; margin-left: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p><p class="NormalWeb1" align="center" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0.1in; margin-left: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Thousands of historical figures over the years have been documented as having an exceptional </span></span><span class="yshortcuts1"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">moral character</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, but it can certainly be argued that no one possessed a character as flawless as </span></span><span class="yshortcuts1"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mother Teresa</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span><span class="yshortcuts1"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> was the absolute epitome of a person of good character. It is often said that a person’s character is truly defined by how they act when no one is looking. Too often, people “edit” their actions when they know they are being watched and evaluated. Mother Teresa proved her strong moral character by never faltering in her efforts to bring a positive change to the </span></span><span class="yshortcuts1"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">slums of India</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, regardless of whether she was being filmed by the world’s premier news stations, or whether she was alone with a hurting stranger in the privacy of a caretaking facility. Mother Teresa truly proved why character matters through her extensive missionary work in poverty-stricken India; she worked tirelessly for others and consistently poured herself into her work, never worrying about receiving accolades for the work she knew she had been called to do. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One of Mother Teresa’s most noted quotes was “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Mother Teresa recognized that although a person might look physically healthy, it is loneliness and sadness that are the greatest poverties of all. Mother Teresa knew that everyone is poor in some way, be it fiscally poor, or, worse, poor in mind and spirit. Since she understood that everyone has trials, she did all she could to try to make every single person she encountered richer in some way. Though she was well known for tending to the sick and dying of Calcutta, people often forget that she “healed” those who seemed healthy, as well. Mother Teresa never ceased in her quest to bring aid and love to everyone. She defined what she did as attempting to make everyone feel God’s love through her actions. Thus, Mother Teresa was able to significantly touch the lives of literally every single person she encountered, simply by showing them she loved them by her actions. By never going “off the job”, Mother Teresa gained the status as one of the greatest figures of our time, a status that was made even more unique by the simple fact that she did not desire it. She did what she felt called to do because of her love for Jesus and for all of us made in His image. She loved Him by serving Him in “the distressing disguise of the poor”, not because she aspired to gain personal recognition.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Her moral character became legendary, and thus became a living example to others of why character not only matters, but is necessary in a society fraught with problems and sadness.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mother Teresa is a shining example for me of how to live a life of putting love and faith into action. After her beatification in 2003, I have studied her life and work to a great extent. She has become a great role model for me, and I strive to live by her example of helping the poor in spirit. I live in a fairly affluent area, and the majority of students at my high school are able to live very comfortably financially. Even though most are not fiscally poor, I have witnessed several peers who are indeed depressed and quite lonely. Mother Teresa describes the worst poverty to experience is that of loneliness, and the feeling of being unwanted or unloved. I see such students suffering in my own school, so I try to reach out to these students who I know are hurting by simply saying hello, and acknowledging them by name. Following Mother Teresa’s example, I try to maintain a positive attitude, and smile at everyone I come in contact with, especially those who seem withdrawn and lonely. I especially strive, however, to be a friend to those who need it most. The students that have nowhere to go at lunch know that they are always welcome to come sit with me, and students that feel alone know that I am always available and eager to listen to them, and to simply be a friend when they have no one else. Just as Mother Teresa worked to heal every person she met without looking for praise and attention, I try to be a positive light in my community, and reach out to those who need it most. The reward of simply knowing that I have made someone’s day better is far greater than any physical award or recognition that I might receive by promoting my actions.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:.1in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.1in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span lang="EN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Quietly performing small acts of great love that no one else sees except God, fills my spirit and strengthens my character. I have learned from following the example of Blessed Mother Teresa. Though she died just a few years after I was born, her work lives on in the thousands that she physically cared for, and in those whom she inspired through her goodness. Profound loneliness can be foud within our own family, school, and community. A simple smile or an invitation to sit together is a quiet expression of love. Mother Teresa’s flawless character was exemplified through her daily selfless acts of love. She impressed upon me the importance of being someone whose eyes recognize the lonely who live among us, so that my heart is ready to reach out to them and love them. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:7.5pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:7.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:200%"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:ENfont-family:";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="NormalWeb1" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:7.5pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:7.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:200%"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:ENfont-family:";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-47154558887470456872011-02-07T13:52:00.001-08:002011-02-07T16:49:06.819-08:00Character Matters by Dana Harju<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, fantasy;"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, fantasy;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><p class="NormalWeb1" align="center" style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0.1in; margin-left: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, -webkit-fantasy;"><p class="NormalWeb1" align="center" style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0.1in; margin-left: 0.1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, -webkit-fantasy;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Calibri, -webkit-fantasy;"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Character Matters Essay Contest, 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Place, High School Division</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My father has been the biggest influence on my character.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As a young adult, he was a fierce alcoholic and spent the majority of his twenties wreaking havoc and breaking laws left and right. When my mom got pregnant with me, he decided to clean up his act and got a steady job, quit smoking, and joined AA.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The influence of the program on my life has been astounding.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My house is a hub of activity for those seeking recovery from alcoholism, and people from all walks of life are welcome.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oftentimes, I will walk in to find someone I’ve never seen before, sometimes looking a little scruffy or under the weather, washing the dishes or talking with a few other regulars on the patio.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because of my dad’s responsibility and realization that he needed to change, my life has been significantly better than it would have been had he stayed on his former path.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because of him, I have been taught acceptance, responsibility, compassion, faith, and integrity.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I grew up in Ocean Beach, which is probably one of the most diverse places in Southern California.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Virtually from birth, I have been taught to accept others for who they are and to resist judging them as much as possible.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">To use a metaphor from a book I read a few years ago, I have always been a “Scooper” more than a “Filterer,” taking things as they are rather than criticizing and then accepting, or criticizing and rejecting.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As I have aged, I have developed a bit of a filter, though I try to accept people wholeheartedly and without judgment.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The myriad of people I have been exposed to through AA and from living on Ocean Beach have only helped me with this.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My dad, mom, and stepmom are all responsible people, and they have influenced me to try to be as responsible as possible. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Though I have my slip ups, I do my best to be dependable and trustworthy.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As a teenager, I, of course, am not the most responsible of people, but I do realize the value of the trait and do m best. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom and grandma both have an admirable sense of the sanctity of life.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom is a humane officer, and my grandma was a high school biology teacher.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Both of them have impressed on me the value of life, human or otherwise.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As little kids catching bugs, my grandma encouraged my sister and me to be gentle and release them safely back onto whichever bush we found them on.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">She taught us that every life, no matter how small, is worth the same.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My mom saves the lives of animals as a job, and she has taught me the importance of adopting versus buying from breeders.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">All of our cats have either been adopted or inherited from a friend who could not keep them any longer.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I owe both my mom and my grandma for my sense of compassion towards human, animals, and even insects. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Both of my parents tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">They are trusting people, as is my sister.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My dad is a good judge of character and often lets people seeking recovery in AA stay in our house for a night or two.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Though I am sure some of his confidence comes from the fact that he could physically dominate anyone staying in our house, our doors are always open to anyone in the program, and our home is considered a safe haven for many.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For the most part, I owe my character values to my family. The values I find most important are those prominent in those who are around me and those who raised me, mostly because I was lucky enough to be raised by good people, for lack of a better word.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Growing up in Ocean Beach has given me a different perspective than what I would possess had I been brought up in a different place.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For as long as I can remember, my family has lived with the mentality of “Mi casa es su casa,” my home is your home, and we have always possessed the surfer-family attitude of hang loose, take it easy, and similar mindsets. Because of my family, I have acquired a fairly well-rounded and solid sense of character. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p></span><p></p></span></div></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-47124194241408886352010-11-09T11:55:00.000-08:002010-11-09T11:56:44.211-08:00The Other Side of the Report Card<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The school year begins with “school chiefs” and others pushing national and state standards, applying pressure to increase students’ test scores, and promoting “laserlike, focused efforts” on the teaching of math, science, and reading. Few school leaders talked about the “citizenship side” of the report card. Yet, it is this side of the report card that tells the real story about student achievement and behavior because it assesses social and emotional skills, and character traits. The “citizenship” side of the card should not take second place in the “race to the top.” Why?</span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Michelle Borba, the author of the book, </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Building Moral Intelligence</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, writes: “Today’s kids are being raised in a much more morally toxic atmosphere than previous generations for two reasons. First, a number of critical social factors that nurture moral character are slowly disintegrating: adult supervision, models of moral behavior, spiritual or religious training, meaningful adult relationships, personalized schools, clear national values, community support, stability, and adequate parents. Second, our kids are being steadily bombarded with outside messages that go against the values we are trying to instill. Both factors make it much harder for parents to raise moral kids.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There is concern enough for </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Newsweek</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (September 2004) to run a theme issue titled, “How to Say NO to Your Kids: Setting Limits in the Age of Excess.” The Josephsen’s Institute’s annual poll of teens reveals a rather high percentage of teens who cheat, steal, lie, and exhibit a “propensity toward violence” including bullying. Teacher polls show that teachers find students to be less respectful, more aggressive, more impulsive and impatient, and display more inappropriate language. One observer of the youth culture noted that the mantra of the “ME” generations appears to be: “I Know My Rights - I Want It Now - Someone Else Is To Blame - I'm A Victim.”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The other side of the report card also underscores the importance of social and emotional skills in the workplace. For example, the top five traits/qualities that Fortune 500 companies seek in employees are: teamwork, problem solving, interpersonal skills, communicating skills, and the ability to listen. Thomas Stanley, in his book, </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Millionaire Mind</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, reports that a polling of 5,000 millionaires reveal that crucial to their success was integrity (being honest), discipline (self-control), social skills (getting along) and hard work (perseverance). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we think about these observations and the citizenship side of our children’s report cards it might be wise to ask three questions: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do we really believe that children are born “morally literate?” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do we believe that they need to be taught to be moral (knowing the difference between right and wrong) and ethical (doing what is right) at home, in school, and in the community? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops:list .5in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If we want our children to be good, caring, empathetic human beings, do we let this happen by chance or do we help them develop positive social and emotional skills?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We require, push, demand, cajole our children to learn the basic skills of reading, writing, and computing. But what is more basic than nurturing them to be caring, civil, responsible, respectful human beings who know and practice the “Golden Rule”? Daniel Goleman in his book, </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Emotional Intelligence</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, notes that IQ accounts for about 20% of success in life while the remaining 80% is attributed to factors related to emotional intelligence, such as self–awareness, managing emotions, empathy, social consciousness, self-restraint, and nurturing positive relationships.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In this new school year, let all of us join the many schools and communities in this county who are attending to the “citizenship” side of the report card by implementing programs designed to teach students democratic values, prosocial skills, emotional control and anger management, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and what it means to be a good citizenship. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ed DeRoche, Director</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Character Development Center</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">University of San Diego</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">619-260-2250</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-66721310964667785232010-08-05T11:01:00.000-07:002010-08-05T11:02:14.542-07:00Michele Borba at 2010 Character Matters Conference<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, mono; font-size: 11px; white-space: nowrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><iframe src="http://streamer.sandiego.edu/Streamer/StreamPlayer.aspx?Id=55da90fMTWk&bEP=1" width="480" height="420" frameborder="0"></iframe></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5356969023734060285.post-42404287432571425792010-07-28T15:28:00.000-07:002010-07-30T08:36:32.090-07:00Character Matters Conference 2010<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'lucida grande', -webkit-fantasy;font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nifVEEaR7gk/TFLt_sLTYTI/AAAAAAAAA0w/mSeYPuCajEo/s1600/DSC09905.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nifVEEaR7gk/TFLt_sLTYTI/AAAAAAAAA0w/mSeYPuCajEo/s400/DSC09905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499719773418905906" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span><a class="UIPhotoGrid_PhotoLink clearfix" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6175939&id=150028809744" style="text-align: left; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; display: block; zoom: 1; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Character Development Center Director, Ed DeRoche speaks</span></span></span></a><a class="UIPhotoGrid_PhotoLink clearfix" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6175939&id=150028809744" style="text-align: left; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; display: block; zoom: 1; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">with conference attendees at the annual summer conference. </span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande', fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0