Character Education is a vehicle to Character Education is a vehicle to assist schools in accomplishing assist schools in accomplishing the SLCSD’s Vision and Mission.the SLCSD’s Vision and Mission.

Vision - SLCSD sets the standard for excellence in education.

Mission – SLCSD advocates for all students, provides the highest quality education, and prepares students for a future of opportunities.

Schools with character educationSchools with character education

are Ethical Learning Communitiesare Ethical Learning Communitiesthat focus on:that focus on:

ExcellenceExcellence

EthicsEthics

EngagementEngagement

Excellence/ performance character Excellence/ performance character DiligenceDiligence

A strong work ethicA strong work ethic A positive attitudeA positive attitude PerseverancePerseverance

The work of excellence is transformational. Once a The work of excellence is transformational. Once a student sees that he or she is capable of excellence, that student sees that he or she is capable of excellence, that student is never quite the same. There is a new self-student is never quite the same. There is a new self-image, a new notion of possibility. After students have image, a new notion of possibility. After students have had a taste of excellence, they’re never quite satisfied had a taste of excellence, they’re never quite satisfied with less.with less.

Ron Berger, Ron Berger, An Ethic of ExcellenceAn Ethic of Excellence

ExcellenceExcellence

Perform ance C haracter

E ffo rt, D ilige n ceP e rse ve ra n ce

W o rk e th ic, in ge n u ityS e lf-d isc ip lin e , a tt itu de

N e ed e d to rea lizeo n e 's po ten tia l fo r

e xce lle n ce in aca d em ics,co -cu rricu la r a c tiv it ie s,

T h e w o rkp la ce o r a nyo the r a re a o f

e n de avo r.

A m a s te ryo rien ta tio n th a t

co n sis ts o f th e fo llow ingq u a lit ie s.

Ethics/ Moral CharacterEthics/ Moral CharacterIntegrityIntegrity

RespectRespect

CooperationCooperation

JusticeJustice

ResponsibilityResponsibilityThe good-to-great companies place greater The good-to-great companies place greater weight on character attributes than on specific weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, educational background, practical skills, specialized knowledge, or work experience.specialized knowledge, or work experience.

Jim Collins, Jim Collins, Good to GreatGood to Great

EthicsEthicsM oral C haracter

In te g rityJu s ticeC a ring

R e sp e ct

N e ed e d fo rsu cce ssfu l in te r-

p e rson a l re la tio nsh ipsa n d e th ica l b eh a vio r.

E n sure s th a tw e use e th ica l m e a ns

to ach ieve o urp e rfo rm a n ce g oa ls.

A re la tio n a lo rien ta tio n th a t

co n sis ts o f th e fo llow ingq u a lit ie s.

EngagementEngagement To take partTo take part

To participateTo participate

To be committed to To be committed to one’s own one’s own

education, education, school and school and communitycommunity. .

As educators what strategies are we using and can As educators what strategies are we using and can

we use to encourage student engagement?we use to encourage student engagement?

EngagementEngagement

C o m m ittm e n t,In vo lve m e ntW o rk e th ic,

P a rticip a tion

E n ga ge m e nt is p u tt ingE xce lle nce an d E th ics

to w o rk.

It b ring s w ith it a p rom iseto be p re se n t, to ta ke pa rt,

a n d to com m it to do ingth e rig h t th in g .

A c tiono rien ta tio n th a t

co n sis ts o f th e fo llow ingq u a lit ie s.

Eight Strengths of CharacterEight Strengths of CharacterLifelong learner and critical thinkerLifelong learner and critical thinkerDiligent and capable performerDiligent and capable performerSocially and emotionally skilled personSocially and emotionally skilled personEthical thinkerEthical thinkerRespectful and responsible moral agentRespectful and responsible moral agentSelf-disciplined person who pursues a healthy Self-disciplined person who pursues a healthy

lifestylelifestyleContributing community member and Contributing community member and

democratic citizendemocratic citizenA person engaged in crafting a life of noble A person engaged in crafting a life of noble

purposepurpose

Eight Strengths of CharacterEight Strengths of Character

Performance character and moral Performance character and moral character are defined in terms of 8 character are defined in terms of 8 strengths of character, which, taken strengths of character, which, taken together, offer a vision of human together, offer a vision of human flourishing over a lifetime.flourishing over a lifetime.

1. Lifelong learner and critical thinker

Strives to acquire the knowledge that Strives to acquire the knowledge that makes for an educated personmakes for an educated person

Approaches learning as a life-long processApproaches learning as a life-long process Takes seriously the perspectives of othersTakes seriously the perspectives of others Seeks expert opinion and credible Seeks expert opinion and credible

evidenceevidence Demonstrates critical thinking Demonstrates critical thinking Demonstrates willingness to Demonstrates willingness to

admit error and modify thinking.admit error and modify thinking.

Demonstrates commitment to giving Demonstrates commitment to giving personal best performance in all areaspersonal best performance in all areas

Shows initiative and self-disciplineShows initiative and self-discipline Sets personal goals and assesses Sets personal goals and assesses

progressprogress Perseveres in the face of difficultyPerseveres in the face of difficulty Knows standards of quality and Knows standards of quality and creates high-quality products; creates high-quality products; takes pride in worktakes pride in work

2. Diligent and capable performer

3. Socially and emotionally skilled person

Healthy self-confidence and a positive attitudeHealthy self-confidence and a positive attitude Has positive interpersonal relationshipsHas positive interpersonal relationships Is able to work with others and resolve Is able to work with others and resolve

conflictsconflicts ““Care-frontation”Care-frontation” Communicates effectivelyCommunicates effectively Demonstrates emotional Demonstrates emotional

intelligence, including self-knowledge intelligence, including self-knowledge

4. Principled ethical thinker Possesses moral discernment—including Possesses moral discernment—including

good judgment, moral reasoning and ethical good judgment, moral reasoning and ethical wisdom.wisdom.

Has a well-formed conscience—Has a well-formed conscience—including a sense of obligation to including a sense of obligation to do the right thing.do the right thing.

Possesses the moral competence, or Possesses the moral competence, or “know-“know- how,” needed to translate moral how,” needed to translate moral discernment, conscience, and identity into discernment, conscience, and identity into effective moral behavior.effective moral behavior.

5. Respectful and responsible moral agent, committed to consistent moral action

Respects the rights and dignity of all persons.Understands that respect includes the right of conscience to disagree respectfully with others’ beliefs or behaviors.Possesses a strong sense of personal efficacy and responsibility to do what’s right.Translates ethical awareness into action.Accepts responsibility for setting a good example and being a positive influence.Develops and exercises capacity for intellectual and social/moral leadership.

6. Self-disciplined person who pursues a healthy lifestyle

Demonstrates self-control across a wide range of situations

Pursues physical, emotional, and mental health

Makes responsible personal choices that contribute to positive self-development, a wholesome lifestyle, and a positive future.

7. Contributing community member and democratic citizenParticipates in democratic processes to

improve classroom/school/community

Demonstrates the skills needed for civic action in a democracy

Demonstrates global awareness and a sense of responsibility to humanity

8. Spiritual person—appreciative of transcendent values, engaged with existential questions, and involved in crafting a life of noble purpose.Considers existential questions

What is the meaning of life? What is happiness?

Cultivates an appreciation of transcendent values such as truth, beauty, and goodness.

Pursues authentic happiness

The Three E’s to success?The Three E’s to success?

ExcellenceExcellence

EthicsEthics

EngagementEngagement