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     National Educator of the Year

My philosophy of education has been developed over 50 years as a public School Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator,  Director of Instruction, and School Site Administrator and Learning Behavior Strategist.  The philosophies of my predecessors, Horace  Mann ( Social Harmony –a school for all) Ed Beaubier (Individualized Instruction ) Haim Ginott (Relating with children with respect and dignity) Ilg & Ames –(School Readiness and Developmental Placement) Madeline Hunter ( Instructional Theory Into Practice) Thomas Gordon (Teacher Effectiveness Training) Art Costa (Enabling Behaviors)Robert Coles (Moral Intelligence) Daniel Pink (A Whole New Mind. Right Brain Left Brain )

The philosopher that had the greatest influence on my educational career was Leo Buscalia. Special Education professor from the  University of Southern California.(Love Dynamic) He argued that social bonds are essential to transcending the stresses of everyday life and enriching it above the limitations of poverty as well as crossing communication gaps between generations. His message was so right and so needed when so many forces in the world were pulling people apart rather than together. He planted so many seeds that led to my educational philosophy as presented in this document. His children’s Book The Fall of Freddie the Leaf is my all time favorite Children’s book. From the first time I met Leo Buscalia I knew he had  the single most powerful principle for educating the whole child. “Love”

In charting an educational philosophy I begin with this statement Schooling is a series  of responsibilities lived out in the context of relationships. If you build relationships you will experience achievement in a multitude of educational venues. Because children are uniquely woven together, an unrepeatable miracle it is essential that we develop our skills as need analyst, identifying every child’s educational DNA (order in the family, unique interest, world view, learning style,right/left brain dominance, listening skills, problem solving skills, and  introspection skills -(Their ability to formulate questions) in order to present the best interventions for their educational experience.

In one of the first Books I wrote  How do you recognize a good school when you walk into one.  I described over 43 indicators of effective schools. First and foremost it’s critical to identify   Characteristics of Effectively Functioning Human Beings(Chart Below) As a teacher of social, emotional, academic, spiritual and physical  I focus on educating the whole child.

       ©1970 Gene Bedley

When I speak about educating the whole child its important to understand the Seven Core Ethical Values that constitute the whole child. (See below, Values in Action!) A child’s education needs to include these core ethical values embedded into all aspects of their schooling experience. Strategies and solutions for implementing such a program can be found in my comprehensive guide for schools titled  Values in Action! (PBIS) A positive behavior intervention support program being used in thousands of schools.

 © 1980 Gene Bedley

It is essential  every child’s formal schooling experience include a foundation of personal responsibility. My best selling book for schools and home titled  The Big R Responsibility provides a code for the road when it comes to responsibility. It is filled with solutions and strategies designed for the classroom and home.

Self esteem is fragile at best especially when it’s built on all the outer sources shown in the (graph below). Education needs to have at it’s core a value driven focus that strengthens each individual. Kids are either Value Driven or Activity Driven! Identifying who we are at our core is essential and paramount to anything we do and become in our lives .

  © 1984 Gene Bedley

I created a Personal Time Line ( below) that has awakened many people to the defining moments  including their life’s purpose and meaning. By breaking our lives into quarters it becomes all the more clearer of what matters most and the importance of making a significant in our lives.

I believe the key to education lies in the hands of a gifted teacher and their parents. Both parents and teachers are teachers. It’s a question of what we model and teach!  A teacher who:

Activates a level of confidence and belief in all students under their care. If we don’t have beliefs and conviction we live with negation

Self Confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings. Samuel Johnson

Stimulates a love for lifetime learning. As a teacher I move my students beyond mere knowledge and promote wisdom and discernment.

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” – Helen Keller

Illuminates each mind and heart. Awareness precedes choices. Kids need to know that we deserve what our attitudes produce!

Problems are never the problems It’s our response to the problems that are our problems Rick Warren

Elevates the  moods of their students by  Increasing endurance and perseverance. As a mood elevator I take kids beyond their current circumstances teaching them how to overcome obstacles!

The unexamined life is not worth living. Socrates

Liberates each child’s potential to capture their dreams,  define their gifts and discover their purpose Find out who you are!

If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it. – Jesse Jackson

Eradicates faulty thinking patterns that de-energize and neutralize my action . Overcoming lies of a lifetime.

The biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves about us! Gene Bedley

Ignites passion and determination to make a difference. Promote bold dreams by letting students know dreams begin and are supported here!

We can do no great thing in our life only small things with great love!  Mother Theresa

I’ve always believed that when love and skill worked together you can expect miracles. If there is one dominant life principle (DLP) that has guided my entire educational career it would be love.  In all of my books and articles that I‘ve written, I have completed each work with a chapter on love. For love has never failed me.

When you genuinely love children you can set your expectations high. I’ve always told my children, “school would not be the same if they were not present and how much I’d miss them if they were absent or move to a different city.”

When you love children you invite them to share their perceptions of themselves, what they like doing, who are their friends, what’s your favorite T-Shirt, what they have learned, letting them know they matter to you personally. You learn their names, games , what’s important to them, and explore and support their dreams. You make sure they are connected and feel welcomed by expressing words of kindness and compassion. You teach them about their inside including their thoughts and heart. You guide them with the example of your love by loving others and finding the uniqueness in others.  You challenge them to share their love with others letting them know that you are giving your love to them as a model to demonstrate love toward others. One of the most significant lessons is to help our kids enlarge their margin in serving and caring about others! It is through enlarging their own margin that they learn and mature as individuals.

© 2012 Gene Bedley

I would describe my work in education as a “multi-generational calling” If we reach this generation we will also impact the generation that follows.”

Gene Bedley

Gene Bedley Was chosen by the California State Department of Education and the Milken Family Foundation as one of the nations top educators for his innovative and pioneering work in Value Based Education. He was chosen as the National Outstanding Educator of the Year from the National PTA  and received the Keeper of the Dream award from the Association of California School Admistrators . He is listed in Who’s Who in International Education and often introduced as Americas Distinguished Educator. Gene has authored dozens of best selling books, poems, and programs. He is currently the National Development Director for Rachel’s Challenge organization. (Columbine High School “life changing story” of Rachel Scott the first victim of Columbine shooting tragedy.) You can find a lot of Gene’s Writing, poems , programs, video connections  at his website www.ethicsusa.org Here’s one of his most requested poems below! 

   In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

A Classroom is a Magical Place

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

There’s a Smile on Each Child’s Face

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

Creative Energy is Everywhere

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

There’s a Catalyst who Genuinely Cares

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

Desire and Wonder is Awakened

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

The Educational Agenda is Shaken

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

Self-Management Skills are Modeled

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

The Best of Reality is Bottled

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

Gifts and Talents are Refined

In the Hands of a Gifted Teacher

The Willed Future is Designed

©Gene Bedley 1992