Character Does Count: Teaching and Modeling Positive Character

Students of Character based on the Six Pillars from Character Counts! Life the hallway.

This year it was a unanimous building decision, which was supported by community and parent stakeholders, to bring back the Character Counts! program and the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. For the first two weeks of school students learned what the six pillars were, and each week since we have dedicated at least one day a week during enrichment to support these traits with themes and lessons. October's theme was school and personal safety. In November, we focused on the theme of gratitude and empathy. Upcoming themes include tolerance and respect, new beginnings, citizenship and community service, leadership, and standing up for change. 

In addition to adding character education to our enrichment period, we have added student government. Our student council group supports our efforts by recognizing students who are nominated for student of the month based on the positive character traits they have demonstrated in and out of school. In addition, the group has already planned and executed our first community service food drive and support for Ele's Place.

Student Council T-Shirts highlight the importance of character. 

 In addition to enrichment lessons and student council, our PBIS committee rewards good character with our token reward system and signature cards. Learning about good character doesn't stop there. It is integrated into our lessons whenever possible.

Character Counts! language integrated in lessons and teaching.

The biggest factor in children having exceptional character is learning it from it being both taught and modeled. We cannot expect our children to act a certain way unless we have taught them not only what to do but also what not to do. As they grow older it means giving them skills and experience to help them make good decisions and learn from their mistakes. Included in the way we educate them is the way we carry ourselves and what we model on a daily basis, most importantly under pressure.We all know that we remember best what we see and do, so surrounding our youth with positive experiences around trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship will foster and help them develop outstanding character. 

Character does count at Milan Middle School and beyond. 

Change: The Outcome Depends on the Outlook

I have always felt that I have embraced change. I loved teaching the short book Who Moved My Cheese? to seniors in high school. A lot of what I tried to encourage students fits with the growth mindset: taking risks, knowing failure is OK when it's used to grow, learning that we can improve with a strong work ethic and commitment, etc. I took a risk to move out of state, try something new, and most recently leave a job and people that I really cared about to try and challenge myself for both personal and professional growth in a new place.

As educational leaders, it is important that we continue to grow, model taking risks, learning from failure, and above all support our staff and students to do the same. In my career I have seen a lot of educators faced with change. A great deal of these changes are sometimes placed upon us verses a choice. However, I have learned that regardless of it being chosen or directed, ones outlook and reaction (as with Hem and Haw from Who Moved My Cheese), can be the difference in reaching ones cheese or goal.

Resistance to, refusal of, and/or fighting the sometimes inevitable, can consume someone with hate, anger, or even fear. Sometimes, it is best to understand that every change is an opportunity to grow, heal, or help others.

Next time you are faced with a difficult decision, challenge, or change, try to embrace it, view it as an opportunity, and try to get something out of it. Know that with the right attitude, support, and work ethic, things will have a much better chance of working out for you.