CHARACTER EDUCATION 2007-2008

Developing Guiding Principles in Kennesaw Mountain Students

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically… intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Students need to develop positive character attributes and appropriate behaviors in order to achieve high standards in school and be good citizens as adults. In recent years, however, many schools have moved away from programs that deal with behavioral issues and character education to avoid divisive community debates about whether schools should be teaching anything beyond the three Rs.  Kennesaw Mountain High believes that the development of a child's character and appropriate behavior is first and foremost the responsibility of the family, but schools and business partners can play a strong supporting role in reinforcing the efforts of parents. Our motto –“it takes a village to raise a child” African Proverb has proven that parents, business leaders, and teachers working together has produced strong ethical leaders for our community.  Successful schools - those with the highest levels of student achievement - do not sidestep the issue of character education. They embrace it. In fact, these schools acknowledge that their success is due in large measure to their attention to guiding principles, through which they have been able to create the supportive learning environment that is absolutely essential for students to achieve high standards. Kennesaw Mountain High Students have become academic and ethical role models in the community.  

Character-Centered Teaching

Character-Centered Teaching is Kennesaw Mountain’s approach to developing a comprehensive character, service learning education program in our community. Our program provides a framework for integrating guiding principles into the curriculum and the fabric of school life. Our program is based on the idea that developing character in students begins with the teacher modeling positive character attributes and actively coaching students to learn and practice the guiding principles which form the basis of sound character. Character-Centered Teaching also rests on the knowledge that there is a clear relationship between sound character and academic achievement. Research has proven that there is a relationship between academic success and ethical behaviors. 

Our approach of Character-Centered Teaching acknowledges that parents, teachers and our business leaders are an important source of social influence for students. Social influence is based primarily on the style of interacting that occurs every day, both in and out of the classroom. Our business partners build important relationships with our students reinforcing the teachers and parents’ academic and ethical training.  A character-centered approach to teaching is a systematic method for providing academic instruction through a teaching style that emphasizes positive character attributes. In the monthly classroom instruction, using specific methods and strategies to integrate guiding principles naturally into instructional lessons and class activities practices the approach. The goal is to help students develop positive ethical leadership skills and achieve high academic standards.

What is a Guiding Principle?

A guiding principle is a positive, general principle that becomes an important foundation for the conduct of behavior, both individually and in relationships with others. Guiding principles are beliefs that most people would agree with because they are viewed as socially appropriate and inherently valuable, such as the idea to "be responsible." Guiding principles are qualities that are naturally viewed as leading to higher level functioning, creating positive relationships with others, and promoting a civil society.

The 12 Guiding Principles of Exceptional Character

• Respect - Regard, value, admire, appreciate. Special esteem or consideration in which one holds another person or thing. To show regard for yourself, others, and the world around you.

• Integrity - Truthfulness, sincerity. The act or condition of never deceiving, stealing, or taking advantage of the trust of others. To be truthful in all that you do and never deceive, steal, or take advantage of the trust of others.

• Responsibility - Accountability. To consider oneself answerable for something. To demonstrate that you consider yourself to be accountable for your actions and that you follow through on your commitments.

• Compassion - Kindness. The desire to help others in distress. To show kindness and concern for others in distress by offering help whenever possible.

• Resilience/Adaptability –The capacity to successfully manage high levels of change.  The ability and willingness to change. To put oneself in harmony with changed circumstances. To be ready and willing to adjust as necessary to the changes in people and circumstances that arise in daily life.

• Contemplation - Giving serious consideration to something. To think things through with proper care before taking action.

• Courage - Bravery. The willingness to put one's beliefs into practice, the capacity to meet danger without giving way to fear. To face difficulty or danger and express your beliefs even if you are afraid.

• Initiative - Eagerness to do something. To take responsible action on your own, without prompting from others.

• Commitment/Loyalty - Faithfulness, dependability. The quality of being faithful to another person in the performance of duty; adhering to a contract with another person. To show others that you are dependable when you have a commitment to them.

• Optimism - Positive beliefs. The inclination to take a hopeful view or think that all will work out for the best. To strive to be positive in your beliefs about yourself, others, and the future.

• Perseverance - Hard work. The quality of trying hard and continuously in spite of obstacles and difficulties.

• Trustworthiness - Reliability. Dependable, deserving of trust and confidence.

Kennesaw Mountain High School’s Program Design

Mission:  To provide ethical role models for future Mustangs. 

Method:  Interactive lessons in the 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th grade taught.  Seniors have the choice to form a partnership with another senior and teach character to the ninth graders, the local middle school, and two elementary schools. 

Game Plan for 2007-2008

Elementary:  KMHS Senior mentors have been asked to teach every grade level at Hayes and several classes at Bullard

Eighth Graders:  KMHS Senior mentors will mentor on site at Pine Mountain Middle School and McClure Middle School.  This will be done during our scheduled Character Education time.

Freshmen:  Will be taught by Senior Class mentors

Sophomores and Juniors:  Will be taught from lessons designed by the Character education committee

Seniors:  If not mentoring, the seniors will concentrate on lessons to prepare them for independence.  Lessons are personal finances, college/post secondary choices, safe driving tips, and AIDS.

Character Education Dates for 2007-08 School Year

Character Education Lessons for 2007-08

To receive additional information about this program, please contact Mr. Richardson.