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.

SEPTEMBER

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

 

BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION PRACTICES

 

School: Caroline Career and Technology Center

Address: 10855 Central Avenue, Ridgely, MD 21600
Principal: Dr. Theresa Stafford

Phone: 410-479-0100
E-Mail: theresa_stafford@mail.cl.k12.md.us

             

Title of Best Practice: “Character Counts” at CCTC

 

Primary Character Trait(s) Emphasized: The Six Pillars of Character

 

Objective:

Students will be able to demonstrate through writings, discussions, and actions that they are able to identify the six pillars of character, the attributes of character education, and apply the six pillars of character to everyday life.

 

Brief Description:

At CCTC we have concentrated on the six pillars of character as a springboard for our complete Character Education initiative this year. We have taken proactive steps to ensure that every student in our school has had continuous and concentrated exposure to character education. Through our extended character education program, we have incorporated traits and skills that students will need not only in the future careers, but also in their daily lives as they interact with family, friends, and others.

 

Each month, we celebrate one of the six pillars of character. Signs about the character trait of the month are posted in the hallways, office, and are continuously displayed in the teachers’ rooms. The daily bulletin, as well as the newsletter, always recognizes the “pillar” and there is a constant sense in the school that “Character” matters. All students were encouraged to participate in the “Laws of Life” essay contest. The winner was from the cosmetology program and represented CCTC at a multi-county recognition reception. Also, the guidance counselor made a concerted effort to incorporate lessons of character in the school-wide assemblies and in the guidance lessons that were delivered in each classroom. A few of the activities that took place in the school were:

 

a.) Each month a “pillar” was presented to the students in the form of a “Character” lesson. The counselor supplied each teacher with complete “Character” lesson package, which included various objectives and a variety of activities. Consequently, each student in the school received the same lesson and message. The lessons always allowed for open discussions and student interactions. Activities have ranged from school-wide scavenger hunts, essay and cartoon contests, to collecting and shipping items to Iraq under the umbrella of “Iraqi Operation Outreach.”

 

b.) Numerous visuals depicting the “pillar” are posted around the hallways, main office, and in the classrooms.

 

c.) As extensions, Character Counts videos are available for viewing and further discussion.

 

d.) Warm-up activities, readings, writings, and discussions about “Character” are continuously promoted within the classrooms.

 

e.) Character Counts representatives visited classrooms for activities and discussions.

 

f.)Assemblies were planned with underlying “Character” themes.

 

g.) Lessons presented in each classroom by the guidance counselor were developed from a “Character” perspective.

 

 

 

 

 

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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