“When I was fourteen my father was so ignorant, I could scarcely stand to have him around; but when I turned twenty-one, I was amazed at how much he has learned in seven years.” – Mark Twain

Americans Say… Did you think the world would side with your barbaric acts? You just damned your cause and we’ll follow your tracks. Did you want to promote a spirit of fear? You steeled our resolve, we now see clear. Did you want to rip and tear us apart? You just bound us together with… Read more »

Recent episodes of school violence have focused attention on “quick fix” solutions, but the answer doesn’t lie in equipping schools with metal detectors. We must help students develop the skills to manage their emotions, resolve conflict nonviolently, and respect differences. Such skills add up to what is known as emotional intelligence, and they are even… Read more »

A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her father, a chef,… Read more »

Book Review Magical heroes like Harry Potter, Spiderman, or Catwoman provide plenty of entertainment for kids, but in real life heroes are made of sterner stuff than celluloid fantasies. In this inspiring collection of biographies, critically acclaimed writer and psychologist Sandra McLeod Humphrey shows young people that heroes were once ordinary people whose strength of… Read more »

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts? Confucius How you carry yourself, what you stand for-that’s how you gain respect. Mildred D. Taylor If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are. John W. Gardner…. Read more »

1-My Genetics Genetics explain predisposition, but they don’t excuse your behavior. You still have choices! 2- My Circumstances Character defects are often attempts to fill unmet needs, ie. the need for respect. If I don’t get enough positive attention I will get attention in a negative way. 3-My Choices Character defects are often positive qualities… Read more »

http://pbskids.org/clifford/caregivers/bigideas.html Clifford’s Big Ideas are positive character traits modeled by the characters in the Clifford the Big Red Dog TV series. These ten ideas represent social and emotional challenges that children face and must master in the course of development. Each episode of the TV series supports one or more of the Big Ideas through… Read more »

Since we’re in the business of change I thought I would share what I have used as a formula for changing kids and teachers reluctant to change. I have identified four elements that are essential for people to change. K = Knowledge Awareness precedes our choices. Share what works by telling your own stories of… Read more »

Character Education Program Similar to his work at Orange High School, Brent Bailey took his school name and with the students turned it into a working document to develop character of the kids within his school. In Brent s own words Foundational to what I believe makes schools and people successful is character. The students… Read more »