Musicians of Character or Singing Jerks? How Character Education Can Foster A Cohesive Community In A High School Choral Ensemble Lindsay M. Brazell

What is Character Education? “The possession and active manifestation of those character traits called virtuous” (Noddings, 2002). “Character education has its theoretical roots in virtue ethics and recognizes Aristotle as its progenitor” (Noddings, 2002). “Virtue is a character state concerned with choice, lying in the mean relative to us, being determined by reason and the way the person of practical wisdom would determine it.” - Aristotle

Care Theory Nel Noddings - Care Theorist “Care theorists rely more heavily on establishing conditions likely to encourage goodness than on the direct teaching of virtues” (Noddings, 2002). “Caring is not confined to a group with identifiably common features. It recognizes the ‘community of the those who have nothing in common.’” (Noddings, 2002).

Why, Lindsay? WHY?! Student Teaching Experience My Teaching Experiences School Demographics Specific trouble students Why not?

Mrs. Brazell’s Classroom Quotes/Mottos “I’d rather have an average choir of kind people than fantastic musicians who are jerks.” “We have not WON until we are ONE.” - Scott Lang “We should want more from our educational efforts than adequate academic achievement, and we will not achieve even that meager success unless our children believe that they themselves are cared for and learn to care for others. - Noddings.” (Edgar, 2014).

Research Reinforcements “Music instruction by a caring music teacher can and does lead to the formation of caring relationships that are extremely valuable for students. - Bates” - (Edgar, 2014). “Because music teaching is a social endeavor, in which the actions of teachers directly affect the lives of students, it is also unavoidably moral.” (Bates, 2004). “Teaching character should be just as important as teaching academics.” (Gray, 2009). “Abraham Lincoln stated: ‘A child is a person who is going to carry on what you have started.’” (Gray, 2009).

4 Ways To Implement Character Education Create a Zero Tolerance Policy What does your ensemble stand for? What behavior is not acceptable? What happens when a student violates your ensemble’s policy? go to: www.lindsaybrazell.com/311 for a free policy template.

4 Ways To Implement Character Education Create Monthly Themes Guide your instruction Musical skills AND character/leadership skills Can involve repertoire selection that relates to a character trait Have an activity that occurs during the month that puts the trait into practice

4 Ways To Implement Character Education Hashtags/Social Media Movements Creates community, not only within your choral program, but with families and school community. Be sure to establish social media boundaries THIS WAS A HUGE HIT!!

4 Ways To Implement Character Education Model Good Character Yourself! Guests in your classroom Substitutes, administrators, teachers, maintenance, parents, clinicians Saying “Thank You” Travel etiquette

More Research…In Music! “The elementary music class is an ideal setting for building socio-emotional skills in children.” (Jacobi, 2012). School traits transfer to daily lessons Using the elementary music classroom as a starting point for character education - (Moore, 2002) “Character is one of the key pillars in high quality teaching. Model the character you want students to emulate.” (Townsend, 2008).

Food for thought/Beverages for discussion In your current or previous teaching environment, where does character education fit in, or does it have a place? Care Theorists value caring and instilling how to be cared for…what is your #1 character value in your classroom for your students? Should educators be trained to teach character education?

Go forth, and be kind! #RIPReimer