This morning I took some time to skim through the March edition of The Voice, the student newspaper of Pembroke Hill School. An article written by a high school student caught my attention. This article was a response the character initiative assembly that our high school students have already attended and our middle school students will participate in this spring. What interested me most about this article was the honest student perspective of character education. The author argued that good character develops along a unique path for each individual and that random lessons here and there may not have always have the lifelong impact we hope for. This same edition of The Voice also includes another high school student authored article regarding cyber-bullying, in which the writer discusses the difficulty of seeing the cruelty discussed in assembly format come to life. This author describes how even he, who has balked at character assemblies, saw their value in the aftermath of anonymous cyber-bullying.
My take aways from this most recent edition of The Voice? Find meaningful ways for our students to connect with the concepts of respect, integrity, compassion and scholarship on a daily basis. Give them tools to turn to when they encounter a situation that puts their character to the test. Let them become their own unique selves, in their own time. Make sure our students know that we are good listeners and available. Teach good character by example.
When I re-read the above paragraph I know that this is the existing philosophy of our staff at Pembroke Hill. It is a timely reminder as we head into busy and exciting time that is 4th quarter. It is what I will return to as I work with our teachers to implement our renewed focus on character development. It is what I will spend a great deal of time considering as I challenge myself to help our students know that this is our belief as the adults in this school community. And it comes from reading the voices of our students.
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