The Six Pillars of Character CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship Values: The Six Pillars of Character Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 T.E.A.M. Teach Enforce Advocate Model Give examples of Teaching: Language Arts: The students read a story, legend or myth, then write an analysis of the most strongly exhibited value. Character trait in the work studied—How is this pillar revealed and by whom? Social Studies: Current events/historical event involving some type of conflict—discuss/debate/present/write/research pillars involved/tested/needed. Science: Current event/scientific problem/issue or discover/invention. Students discuss/write/present. Search/debate the character implications connected to this problem. Integrated character education with other subjects/cooperate with colleagues to address character issues that span academic subject areas. Service-learning Provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful opportunities to meet needs in the community. Give examples of Enforcing: Classroom rules/expectations Consistency/Fairness Consequences—positive and negative Give Examples of Advocate: Encourage faculty, staff, students, parents and community members to think about the Six Pillars and their importance. Participate in opportunities to promote the initiative in your building or in the community. Take the message to everyone Give Examples of Model: Just Do It “The only true remaining freedom is our ability to choose our attitude in any given situation” (Victor Frankl) Make your attitude worth catching Say what you mean and mean what you say Everything you do and say sends a message—what message are you sending? Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

Outcome: Decision-Making CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Effective Ethical Best Possible Result Outcome: Decision-Making Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

If you could interview the people who will date and marry children you love, what qualities are essential?

Six Pillars of Character Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship Six Pillars of Character TRRFCC

Key Values Positive values (beliefs and attitudes) that unlock potential and open doors to success, personal growth and fulfillment Lock Values Negative values that limit potential, impede achievement and prevent personal growth and fulfillment. Stated Values and Operational Values 8

Copyright Josephson Institute 2013 CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 What is a Mindset A habitual or characteristic mental attitude or an inclination or disposition that influences or determines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations. Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 People with positive attitudes are happier, healthier and more successful. Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Three stonecutters were asked what they were doing. The first man replied: “I am making bricks from this stone.” The second said: “I am making the foundation for a building.” The third answered: “I’m building a cathedral.” So what? What difference does it make how a person looks at his work? Relate this to the school and organizational systems the participants are involved in. What might a cathedral building teacher say? What might a brick-maker teacher say? If you change your perspective you change the way you experience the world. Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

Gratitude or entitlement Account-ability or excuses CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Attitude choices that change your life ATTITUDES Positive or negative Growth or fixed Gratitude or entitlement Account-ability or excuses Moving on or holding on Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

Copyright Josephson Institute 2013 CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Two Most Powerful Mindsets Positivity Growth Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

Positivity Positive Negative Optimistic Pessimistic Enthusiastic CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Positivity Positive Negative Optimistic Pessimistic Enthusiastic Unenthusiastic Cheerful Gloomy Eager Reluctant Willing Unwilling Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

Positive Negative I-You-We can do it I/you/we can’t do it CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Positive Negative I-You-We can do it I/you/we can’t do it I-You-We will do it I-You-We won’t do it This is good This is bad/not good enough This will be great This will be awful/not turn out well Every cloud has a silver lining Every cloud will bring more rain At least no one was hurt I lost everything in the fire I will recover and find something better; the best is yet to come. I will never get a job as good as this one; it’s all downhill from here Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

CHARACTER COUNTS 4.0 Don’t ask: “What’s broken, and how do we fix it?” Ask: “What’s working, and how can we do more of it?” Look to the positive, don’t focus on the negative. (glass half full approach again). Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

It’s worth it I can do it CHARACTER COUNTS! Behavior Change Model: People will not change entrenched attitudes or behaviors unless they believe two things: It’s worth it It’s worth the effort What I will get is more valuable than what I give up? I can do it Read the slide. Key points in the structure of CC! 4.0 Copyright Josephson Institute 2013

The Parable of the Master Carpenter

Actions are the result of choices Attitudes are the result of choices Choices create consequences Each change in attitude or actions creates different consequences Good choices create good consequences

Words to Live By Your life is your ship; don’t let anyone else take the wheel. Control your life by choosing your direction and your attitudes. Choose to be happy. Choose to be cheerful. Choose to be optimistic.  Listen to both your heart and your head. Pursue your passions, but don’t confuse feelings with facts or fun with fulfillment. Your life will be filled with triumphs and troubles; the key to happiness is to take each in stride, enjoying the successes and learning from the setbacks. Never forget that tough times are temporary or doubt that the sun will come out tomorrow. Persist, not merely with hope, but confidence in the indomitable power of your will to be happy. Be cautious but not timid; believe you will succeed, but don’t be afraid of failing. Every meaningful achievement is built on the foundation stones of false starts and failures. Always be willing to change your mind or start anew, but when it’s important, never, never quit. Live within your means; keep your needs simple; enjoy small pleasures. Real value lies in what things mean to you not in their cost or how they are valued by others. Become known for your honesty and integrity; be someone everyone can trust. Treat everyone with respect whether they deserve it or not. Be a person others can count on and find people you can count on. Be fair, kind and compassionate even when you don’t feel like it.  Choose friends who want the best for you and bring out the best in you. Be willing to love with all your heart, but don’t make your happiness depend on the love or approval of anyone. Insist on being treated with respect; don’t make anyone a priority who only makes you an option. Finally, don’t settle for a little life. Fill it with purpose and meaning and people worthy of your love and respect. Written for and Dedicated to Samara by her Dad Michael Josephson

1 HEALTHY 2 HAPPY 3 SUCCESSFUL 4 GOOD