2019 Character Award CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Character Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have worked hard to live a life of good character and serve as role models for others. These awards bring together character leaders in education, sports, workplaces and communities as a whole. We celebrate prominent advocates from our past as well as today’s influential leaders. Deadline: February 15, 2019 Guidelines: Each person may nominate only one candidate. Self-nominations and group nominations will not be accepted. Categories: Rising Leader in Education Game Changer in Education Lifetime Achievement in Education Rising Leader in Sports Game Changer in Sports Lifetime Achievement in Sports Rising Leader in Workplaces Game Changer in Workplaces Lifetime Achievement in Workplaces 2018 CHARACTER AWARD RECIPIENTS Past Recipients: 2017 Noah Galloway 2017 George Weiss 2016 Gov. Frank Keating 2015 Congressman John Lewis 2014 Justice Sandra Day O’Connor 2013 Richard Pieper 2012 Norman Augustine 2010 S. Truett Cathy 2009 General Colin Powell For more information, contact Rayna Smith at rayna@character.org.
FEATURED PRACTICE Listening Circles A Promising Practice from Ladue Middle School in St. Louis, MO. Concerned that the rising level of intolerance and incivility in throughout the nation was having a negative effect on students at Ladue Middle School. Counselor Janey Worthington, joined by the administration, faculty and staff launched Listening Circles to create a constructive forum in which students could address how racism, intolerance and discord. “Listening circles were initiated to give students safe places to discuss differences of opinion and to restore a community that has always sought to celebrate – rather than denigrate – our diversity. Our circles begin with the establishment of norms – all voices will be heard in a respectful manner – and proceed with sharing thoughts and concerns about incidents of racism or incivility. While differences of political opinion are understood as part of the democratic process, the listening circle reinforces the importance of expressing those differences respectfully, and moving toward a sense of shared community.” The Listening circles are one way the Ladue Middle School community is working to reduce the tensions and mistrust that spread through much of region — Ladue is less than five miles from Ferguson. The great divisions of wealth and poverty throughout St. Louis are evident in the school’s corridors, As Janey explained in the Promising Practice narrative, “students at Ladue Middle School face daily one of the greatest challenges of our pluralistic, democratic society: how to …
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Tracey Crouch may not be a household name in the United States, but her role as Britain’s first Minister of Loneliness embodies many of the aspirations we hold for our students’ character growth. Ms. Crouch was appointed to lead the work of a government-wide group with responsibility for developing policies that will reduce loneliness and promote inclusion in education, commerce, government and sports. Loneliness has grown into an epidemic in the United Kingdom; nearly 10 million people report always or often feeling lonely. And the problem is not limited to Great Britain; last year, the AARP surveyed Americans over the age of 45 and found that more than 42 million of the participants had experienced chronic loneliness and isolation. Unaddressed, this epidemic will continue to inflict harm on ever younger generations. As teachers and parents, we know that the root of adult isolation and fear of social engagement begins when children enter school, interact on the playground and participate in community-based sports and recreation activities. What often distinguishes the children and adolescents who are most often severely impacted by loneliness and isolation? Many are children already coping with social, emotional, cognitive and physical challenges. All of which brings me to one of my favorite topics: Promising Practices. If there is a common theme to the initiatives and instructional activities that are recognized as Promising Practices, it is that all of them place the student at the center. Whether it is …
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Character.org Certifies 63 State Schools and 5 Districts of Character Each year, Character.org certifies schools and districts at the state level that demonstrate a dedicated focus on character development which has a true positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior and school climate. Schools and districts announced today will be considered for our highest distinction-National School of Character.
