This Month's Best Practice

Each Month the Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) picks one of the Best Practices from a Character Education award winning school to share with you.

MAY

This month's Best Practices is from an award winning school from 2006-2007.

 

BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION PRACTICES

 

School: Maritime Industries Academy PS #431

Address: 790 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217
Principal: Dr. Marco Clark

Phone: 410-396-0242
E-Mail: mtclark@bcps.k12.md.us

             

Title of Best Practice: Living the Principles of Character

 

Primary Character Trait(s) Emphasized: Conscience, Destiny, Trust, Truth, Humility, and Being My Brother’s and Sister’s Keeper (Responsibility)

 

Objective:

To provide the opportunity for students to observe, model and incorporate the principles of character that respect and improve the lives of all

 

Brief Description:

Throughout the course of 2006-2007 academic school year, the Maritime Industries Academy has infused the six “Character Principles” as an intricate part of the school’s educational practices by establishing and maintaining a vast array of educational, social, cultural and inspirational programs. Following are several of the activities and programs that illustrate Living the Principles of Character.

 

• Sister to Sister Workshops: This program featured a month long series of activities during Women’s History month that examined issues centering on health, mental wellness, sexuality, sisterhood, leadership, self-defense, and educational and career planning. Included were the following:

Sister to Sister Induction Ceremony
Self-Defense Workshop
Students Guided Discussion Series
Women’s Luncheon


• Follow Your Destiny: This activity featured professional and world renowned dancer Onika Davis. Students had an opportunity to dialogue with Ms. Davis regarding her travels, studies, career path and inspirations.

• HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program: The members of the Positive Voices: Positive Choices HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Program provided a real live face to the problem of HIV and AIDS.

• HRS Rally: This program raised student awareness of the importance of the High School Assessments and was featured on TV Channel 11 News with Education Reporter Tim Tooten and special guest host Mark Clark, radio personality from 92Q FM.

• Inspire to Teach: This program featured a presentation from Baltimore City Police Detective and Public Information Officer Danny Moses and 911 Dispatcher Mabutu Ali.

• Student Exchange Program: Ten students from the Maritime Industries Institute (MIA) visited Christian Fenger High School in Chicago. Il. where they were paired with Fenger High students. MIA students had an opportunity to experience the life of Chicago inner city students and the exchange was completed when Fenger High students visited MIA in early May 2007.

• Saturday Principal’s Breakfast: One Saturday per month the doors of MIA were opened to students, staff, parents, families and community members to come together in an informal setting and have dialogue with the principal to express concerns and receive pertinent information regarding MIA’s programs.

• Baltimore Media Art Exhibit: Several MIA students were featured during this exhibit for their individualistic and contemporary art work.

• Student Appreciation and Awards Ceremony: Students were recognized for their academic and leadership throughout the school year.

• Amazing Youth Program: This weekly radio program sponsored by 92Q FM featured MIA’s own Sierra Bowman who through the leadership and inspiration of the MIA art program and Teacher, Ms. Santos, had an opportunity to read an original poem live on the radio.

• Wide Angle Youth Media Festival: Fifteen MIA students were featured during the art festival in a variety of mediums including visual arts, performing arts and creative writing.

• Black Gala: This event focused on bringing together staff, parents and community in order to establish connections and support for MIA students and the educational goals and mission of the school.

• HAS Math and English Camp: Spearheaded by the MIA Math and English Instructional Support Teachers, an after school program for 9th and 10th grade students was provided for students to gain extra help and instruction in preparation for the HAS. Students used a peer to peer tutoring model to assist one another in solving math problems and completing English tasks.

• College Exploration: The guidance department sponsored several local college visits as a four-day college tour in Greensboro, North Carolina, where students visited North Carolina A&T, Bennett College and the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
  

It is important to note that the events, activities and workshops all required student participation in the planning and implementation process. This allowed for students to develop important leadership skills, understand task management, gain experience in program planning, building rapport and trust, and work along side of teachers and administrators in a professional manner. The administration and staff of MIA have work hard all year long to ensure that students, parents, and staff have made Living the Character Principles a part of the school culture, and that all activities and events planned for the empowerment and betterment of our students have been centered and focused on the six character principles.

 

 

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The Maryland Center for Character Education
29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204

Phone: 410-823-4902
Fax: 410-828-9661
E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com