The Circle of Courage A Pathway to Achievement John Frazzini A Pathway to Achievement John Frazzini

The Circle of Courage What is underachievement? Why does underachievement happen? What does the research say? What is our solution? What is underachievement? Why does underachievement happen? What does the research say? What is our solution?

The Circle of Courage What is underachievement? In general, underachievement is when academic performance is not matching with academic potential. The reality is many learners who are gifted are failing classes and dropping out of school.

The Circle of Courage What is underachievement? What are some current strategies being used to address underachievement? Positive Reinforcements Negative Reinforcements Organizational Skills Individual Advisement What are some current strategies being used to address underachievement? Positive Reinforcements Negative Reinforcements Organizational Skills Individual Advisement

The Circle of Courage What is underachievement? How is this working? Not well, if it were, I wouldn’t be here talking to you!! Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!! Then why do students underachieve? How is this working? Not well, if it were, I wouldn’t be here talking to you!! Definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results!! Then why do students underachieve?

The Circle of Courage Why does underachievement happen? Common belief about underachieving students who are gifted: …are Lazy? …aren’t motivated? …are bored? …or is it something else? Common belief about underachieving students who are gifted: …are Lazy? …aren’t motivated? …are bored? …or is it something else?

The Circle of Courage What does The Circle of Courage address? Examines the needs of the individual Examines the elements of moral/ethical dilemmas Analysis of successful role models Development of an individual action plan for successfully overcoming their personal dilemmas Examines the needs of the individual Examines the elements of moral/ethical dilemmas Analysis of successful role models Development of an individual action plan for successfully overcoming their personal dilemmas

The Circle of Courage Stage I: Individual Needs The Circle of Courage Overview Student Survey Maslow’s Pyramid Maslow’s Pyramid (Inverted) The Circle of Courage Overview Student Survey Maslow’s Pyramid Maslow’s Pyramid (Inverted)

The Circle of Courage Elements of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Core Principals Honesty - Buddha-“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Fairness - Martin Luther King Jr.-”Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Respect - Albert Einstein-”Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.” Core Principals Honesty - Buddha-“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Fairness - Martin Luther King Jr.-”Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Respect - Albert Einstein-”Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.”

The Circle of Courage Elements of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Core Principals (Continued) Responsibility - Thomas Jefferson-“Responsibility is a tremendous engine in a free government.” Compassion - Maya Angelou-”When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that someone downstream whose face we will never know will benefit from our action, as we who are downstream from another will profit from that grantor's gift.” Core Principals (Continued) Responsibility - Thomas Jefferson-“Responsibility is a tremendous engine in a free government.” Compassion - Maya Angelou-”When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that someone downstream whose face we will never know will benefit from our action, as we who are downstream from another will profit from that grantor's gift.”

The Circle of Courage Elements of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Risks/Dangers Ambiguity - Winston Churchill-“Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed.” Exposure - John Bryant Conant-“Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed.” Loss - Thomas Paine-“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” Risks/Dangers Ambiguity - Winston Churchill-“Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed.” Exposure - John Bryant Conant-“Without a measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama of human life would be destroyed.” Loss - Thomas Paine-“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.”

The Circle of Courage Elements of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Trust in… Past Experience - Rita Rudner-“I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.” Intuition - Ponca Chief White Eagle-“Go Forward With Courage. When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists--as it surely will. Then act with courage.” Trust in… Past Experience - Rita Rudner-“I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry.” Intuition - Ponca Chief White Eagle-“Go Forward With Courage. When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists--as it surely will. Then act with courage.”

The Circle of Courage Elements of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Trust In… (Continued) Faith – Anonymous- “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” Supportive context/community - Jim Corbett- “Individuals can resist injustice, but only a community can do justice.” Trust In… (Continued) Faith – Anonymous- “Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.” Supportive context/community - Jim Corbett- “Individuals can resist injustice, but only a community can do justice.”

The Circle of Courage Stage II: The Road Map to Success Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Role models moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed Identify road blocks Identify resources Identify actions Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Role models moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed Identify road blocks Identify resources Identify actions

The Circle of Courage Stage III: Building the Road to Success Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Personal moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed Identify personal road blocks Identify personal resources Create and implement a personal action plan Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas Personal moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed Identify personal road blocks Identify personal resources Create and implement a personal action plan

The Circle of Courage Stage IV: Traveling the Road to Success Implementation Student begins to follow the action plan Adult support continues for the next two semesters after completing the curriculum Key to successfully turning around under achievement. Implementation Student begins to follow the action plan Adult support continues for the next two semesters after completing the curriculum Key to successfully turning around under achievement.

The Circle of Courage Resources Brendtro, L., Van Bockern S., & Brokenleg, M. (2002). Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for the future. Higgins, L.D., & Nielsen, E., (2007). Investigating moral courage. Brendtro, L., Van Bockern S., & Brokenleg, M. (2002). Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for the future. Higgins, L.D., & Nielsen, E., (2007). Investigating moral courage.