Character Education is a vehicle to assist schools in accomplishing 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 education are Ethical Learning Communities that focus on: Excellence Ethics Ethics Engagement Engagement

Excellence/ performance character Diligence A strong work ethic A strong work ethic A positive attitude A positive attitude Perseverance Perseverance The work of excellence is transformational. Once a student sees that he or she is capable of excellence, that student is never quite the same. There is a new self- image, a new notion of possibility. After students have had a taste of excellence, they’re never quite satisfied with less. Ron Berger, An Ethic of Excellence

Excellence Excellence

Ethics/ Moral Character Integrity Respect RespectCooperationJustice Responsibility Responsibility The good-to-great companies place greater weight on character attributes than on specific educational background, practical skills, specialized knowledge, or work experience. Jim Collins, Good to Great

Ethics

Engagement To take part To take part To participate To participate To be committed to one’s own education, school and community. To be committed to one’s own education, school and community. As educators what strategies are we using and can we use to encourage student engagement?

Engagement

Eight Strengths of Character  Lifelong learner and critical thinker  Diligent and capable performer  Socially and emotionally skilled person  Ethical thinker  Respectful and responsible moral agent  Self-disciplined person who pursues a healthy lifestyle  Contributing community member and democratic citizen  A person engaged in crafting a life of noble purpose

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

1. Lifelong learner and critical thinker  Strives to acquire the knowledge that makes for an educated person  Approaches learning as a life-long process  Takes seriously the perspectives of others  Seeks expert opinion and credible evidence  Demonstrates critical thinking  Demonstrates willingness to admit error and modify thinking.

 Demonstrates commitment to giving personal best performance in all areas  Shows initiative and self-discipline  Sets personal goals and assesses progress  Perseveres in the face of difficulty  Knows standards of quality and creates high-quality products; creates high-quality products; takes pride in work takes pride in work 2. Diligent and capable performer

3. Socially and emotionally skilled person  Healthy self-confidence and a positive attitude  Has positive interpersonal relationships  Is able to work with others and resolve conflicts  “Care-frontation”  Communicates effectively  Demonstrates emotional intelligence, including self-knowledge intelligence, including self-knowledge

4. Principled ethical thinker  Possesses moral discernment—including good judgment, moral reasoning and ethical wisdom.  Has a well-formed conscience— including a sense of obligation to do the right thing.  Possesses the moral competence, or “know- how,” needed to translate moral discernment, conscience, and identity into 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 citizen   Participates 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? Excellence Ethics Ethics Engagement Engagement