If there is one takeaway that I’ve gleaned over the past two decades researching the antecedents of moral courage, it’s that
taking initiative is a muscle that can get stronger with training and exercise.
Recently, someone contacted Character.org to ask whether we could do more to recognize Emerging or Honorable Mention Schools of Character. I immediately decided to reach out and thank this person for flexing his or her “taking initiative” muscle.
She is Jazatavia Allen, Director of Character Education for the Imagine Columbus Primary Academy (K-8) in Columbus, OH. Character.org recognized the school as an Emerging School of Character in 2023.
I did not know Tavia before reaching out and we video chatted for roughly 30 minutes.
First and foremost, Tavia’s passion and zeal are positive contagions. Although she has been at the school (and in the position) for less than two years, what took my breath away was how many times she mentioned how the students at her school have inspired her to be a better person. More specifically, the students have taught Tavia that leadership is not just being the loudest or the most outspoken, but how the best leaders (of all ages) support others and stay true to their core values.
I peppered Mrs. A (everybody at the school calls her Mrs. A) with questions about the school’s student-run Character Council. Students on the Council teach younger students specific lessons on a range of core values. To quote Mrs. A, the students on the Council are demonstrating “leadership and commitment to something greater than themselves.” Clearly, the mission and activities of the Character Council illustrate how critical it is for students to have a leadership role in their school’s character initiative, aligned with Principle 8 (Key Indicator 3).
We also discussed how Mrs. A. is working to weave character development into the school’s academic framework (aligned with Principle 6). I appreciated learning how teachers at her school are encouraging students to use “I Can” statements to express and reflect on their academic progress (and character growth).
We also talked about a new initiative Mrs. A has developed with Deshawn Pate, the school’s Dean of Students. The Council is designed to help students face conflicts constructively (aligned with Principle 5, Key Indicator 4). It was great to learn how the council is integrating the core values of the school into their restorative practices (determination, integrity, responsibility, empathy and curiosity).
During our time together I learned one of Mrs. A.’s favorite expressions: “You don’t have to be extraordinary to make an extraordinary difference…all you have to do is take the first step.”
That’s what Tavia Allen did when she reached out to Character.org. She took the initiative to share with us why we should spotlight schools committed to equipping and inspiring every student to understand and practice a set of core values that serve as the beating heart of the school.
Mrs. A, your passion and commitment, especially to the students at your school, inspires me. Thank you!
Note: I’d be honored to learn about your school’s character journey. Please reach out to me at arthur@character.org.
To learn more about our 11 Principles Framework for Schools, click here.
I appreciate this article. My father spent his career serving in both the Navy and Air Force, having been on the front lines of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. And it is true that we don’t normally consider Sacrifice as a value, but it is one of the highest in so many ways. Sacrifice is about prioritizing something larger than oneself—whether it’s personal growth, relationships, or the well-being of others—and its value lies in the outcomes it creates: growth, love, social good, and often, a sense of fulfillment or purpose and meaning in our lives. Bless all those who have placed the value of Sacrifice as one of their top values.