June 2009
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Today’s Character Coaches...Tomorrow’s Teachers
By Gerald Peterson with Loren Paulsson
When Southwest Florida Christian Academy began in 1994, its founders determined to focus on building good character as the foundation for academic achievement.
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This emphasis would set the school apart from many others, but it quickly took a “back seat” to establishing a core curriculum and the nuts and bolts issues of new school start-up. Although a few teachers attempted to elevate and teach character, there was still no plan to implement a school-wide character focus.
Gerald Peterson, the school’s physical education instructor, heard about the new Character First! Education curriculum and attended a seminar in 1996. He was impressed with the quality and depth of Character First! training and resources, and he reported his findings to the school administration.
Though SFCA still had to work through some start-up issues, Peterson’s interest in character development soared. He participated in additional training opportunities that included business, law enforcement, and family seminars.
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Just months after Peterson’s resignation, SFCA hired him to direct its new character program. And in May 2009, SFCA completed the eleventh year of its formal character emphasis.
The school follows a four-year rotating cycle of character traits. Each month, Peterson and his family present two high-energy, interactive assemblies based on the Character First! curriculum and resource DVDs. All the elementary students attend.
As a follow-up, Peterson trains older students (grades 7-12) how to visit elementary classrooms and reinforce the character concepts. These “character coaches” serve as role models for younger students and utilize games, crafts, and activities to make the character training fun and memorable.
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Southwest Florida Christian Academy is developing a culture of character that provides a basis for positive behavior and academic achievement. Former character coaches Amanda Hamway and Amberly Cohen graduated from SFCA and have now returned as teachers.
Justice Thoughts
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When you see something wrong, identify your responsibility and how you can appropriately address the situation. In some cases, you might have to report illegal activity. In other cases, you might have a responsibility to confront community or family members.
• “It is more disgraceful to do injustice than to suffer under it.” —Plato
• “If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.” —Francis Bacon
• “Those who clearly recognize the voice of their own conscience usually recognize also the voice of justice.” —Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Subscribers can access teaching resources when they login to the Members’ Library.
Upcoming Events
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Learn how to implement Character First! in your organization.
August 25-26, 2009 • $390 per person
Receive a $40 discount when you register before August 1!
Networking Conference for Community Leaders
Learn how to spread Character First! throughout your community.
Sept. 21-23, 2009 • $445 per person
Receive a $50 discount when you register before June 30!
Clearance Items
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These 16-page bulletins present each character quality using five key concepts. Each concept includes stories, questions, nature illustrations, and application points for work and home. Bulletins also include a nature poster and leadership tips.
