Character Education

  C.A.R.⁽²⁾E.S. NEWSLETTER
(Creating A Respectful and Responsive Educational System)
Dr. Duane Hodgin, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Support Services
Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township
"National School District of Character"
October 22, 2007
(No. 2)

“We give of ourselves when we give gifts of kindness, joy, patience,time, attention, encouragement and forgiveness.”  -- Wilford Peterson

^{READINGS FOR STAFF – "WORDS OF WISDOM" FOR ALL OF US}

^{(Gr. 8-12 - These can be used for writing assignments where students paraphrase the readings.)}

^{Character and Reputation}

^{Our character differs from our reputation. Similarly, a tree is quite different from the shadow it casts. Character expresses itself more accurately in our private thoughts and actions. Difficult situations and everyday pressures reveal the character we have already built into our lives and provide opportunities to reinforce what we tend to become. Every day presents us with the possibility of personal character development due to our decisions and response to others. Good character maintains personal integrity regardless of circumstances and lays the foundation for becoming a better person, spouse, parent, neighbor, coworker, and citizen. – Character First}

^{The Great Teacher}

^{When the great Teacher walked the earth, He had many troublesome pupils. They were sometimes inattentive and restless. They misquoted their Teacher and misunderstood Him. One day in the Master’s class things got so crowded that a hole was cut in the roof and a sick man was lowered through the hole. This Teacher did not thunder out, "Not in MY class, you don’t!" -- Anonymous}

^{The Master Teacher}

^{To have the ability and the courage to make difficult, but fair and equitable decisions; to say words that will "help and heal," rather than "hurt or harass," and to strive each day to make some "positive difference" in the life of a student, is the ultimate challenge and reward of the "master teacher."}

^{To My Grown-Up Children}

^{My hands were busy through the day; I didn’t have much time to play.
The little games you asked me to, I didn’t have much time for you.}

^{I’d wash your clothes; I’d sew and cook, but when you’d bring your picture book
And ask me, please, to share your fun, I’d say, "A little later, when I’m done."}

^{I’d tuck you in all safe at night, and hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door, I wish I’d stayed a minute more.}

^{For life is short, and years rush past, and you’ve grown up much too fast.
No longer are you by my side, your precious secrets to confide.}

^{The picture books are put away; there are no children’s games to play,
No goodnight kiss; no prayers to hear, that all belongs to yesteryear.}

^{My hands once busy, now lie still, the days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I might go back and do the little things you asked me to.}

^{-- Alice E. Chase}

^{The Parable of the Pencil}

^{The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are five things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.}

^{One:  You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.
Two:  You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.
Three:You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
Four:  The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
Five:  On every surface you are used on, you will leave your mark. Will your mark be one of encouragement or discouragement? No matter what the condition, you must decide what you continue to write.}

^{The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart. Now change places with the pencil. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. -- Anonymous}

^{Life Is What You Make It and How You Take It}

^{The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with enthusiasm of an 8 year old having just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones," I said, "you haven’t seen the room. Just wait."}

 ^{"That doesn’t have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged…it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it…it’s a decision I make every morning when I wake, up. I have that choice."}

“Heroes of Today…Teachers”

“Where are the heroes of today?” a radio talk show host thundered.  Too many people are looking for heroes in all the wrong places.  Movie stars and rock musicians, athletes, and models aren’t heroes--they’re celebrities. Heroes abound in public schools, a fact that doesn’t make the news.  There is no precedent for the level of violence, drugs, broken 
homes, child abuse, and crime in today’s <st1:country-region><st1:place>America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.  Teachers did not create these problems, but they deal 
with them every day.

You want heroes?  Last year the average school teacher spent $468 of their own money for student necessities…workbooks, pencils supplies kids had to have but could not afford.  That’s a lot of money from the pockets of the most poorly paid 
teachers in the industrial world.  Schools don’t teach values?  The critics are dead wrong.  Public education 
provides more Sunday School teachers than any other profession.  The average teacher works more hours 
in nine months than the average 40-hour employee does in a year.

^{The Champion Student Athlete}

^{He was a young man of flesh and blood. He wasn’t made of rock.
A normal student athlete of ordinary stock.
But somehow he was different—people of character always are.
They have the courage to do what’s right, and this will take them far.
He was told to always try his best, for all efforts bring a cost.
And many times the victories came, but other times he lost.
He trained and dedicated himself; he struggled and he strained.
But he had a moral conscience that helped him make his gains.
He ran the plays repeatedly; his body became tired and sore.
Then he tells himself, "I’m not finished; I know I can do more."
And then, at last, the time had come; game time now was here.
He had to go and do his job among the boos and cheers.
And then the game was over, his body seemed to scatter.
A crowd was cheering the other team, but to him it did not matter.
He turned and faced his teammates, with pride instead of shame.
He knew not that he won or lost, but that he’d played the game.
 As you live each day, there will be struggles and strife.
But when the final score is tallied, it’s how you lived you life.
It’s what you do for others through respect and caring, too.
But more importantly, it makes a better you.}

^{So, remember you are different. People of character always are.Because you have the courage to do what’s right, and this will take you far.}

^{-- Anonymous}

^{Your Character Is Your Destiny}

^{Watch your THOUGHTS…They become WORDS.
Watch your WORDS…They become ACTIONS.
Watch your ACTIONS…They become HABITS.
Watch your HABITS…They become CHARACTER.
Watch your CHARACTER…It becomes your DESTINY}

^{-- Frank Outlaw}

 ^{Personal Relations Skills—Words That Will Help With Students, Parents, and Colleagues}
·        “Help me understand?”
·        “Thank you for helping me to understand.”
·        “I can only try to imagine how you feel.”
·        Eliminate the word “but” as a conjunction.
·        “What I heard you say was…”
·        Using “I feel” statements to express your feelings. 
·        Eliminate the word “you” (i.e. “You didn’t hear what I’m trying to say,” defensive word)
·        “Have you considered…   or thought about…”
·        Use “you” when extending genuine compliments.
·        “Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns.  You’re here because you care.”
·        “I do not want to deny your feelings or perceptions. They are real to you.”
·        “Let me help you to understand what I can do, and what I cannot do.”

  “There is a special kind of sunshine in a smile.”