By Raquel Castrodad, Ed.D
Academic Director, Colegio Radians, Inc (2012 NSOC) and Master Facilitator, Virtues Project™
What can a school do to develop and maintain a culture of peace and unity? Where to begin?
When we think about the changes in information acquisition and human consumption in this rapidly changing world, we need to ask ourselves, “What can we do to develop the leaders of the future (our children)?”
Violence and corruption are the norm in this new century and those who speak of values and virtues are labeled as “old-fashioned” and “out-of-touch with reality.” Any organization that desires to create integral human beings must include character education as part of their program.
The path to character development begins in our mind, continues in our hearts and is maintained through our actions.
With our minds we create and understand the purpose of character education. With the heart, we recognize the strengths and gifts of character. As educational leaders, we demonstrate through our actions how to create a community of peace and harmony.
Schools may begin by reflecting on those positive things they are already doing. They must identify the target groups and create a work-plan for character education. It is a step by step process, but with a singular goal, to create integral human beings who are an asset to their academic community, and society at large.
With respect, love, patience, and enthusiasm, involve the greatest amount of people in the project; establish short and long range goals; attend workshops that will provide tools for their character education initiatives such as CEP 11 Principles, and Virtues Project™ workshops; and further on, serve as facilitators for the rest of the learning community.
To implement the strategies learned at the workshops, they may begin with small activities such as “class meetings,” group talks, sports, and fine arts activities. It will be beneficial to create a Character Committee where there is participation of teachers, parents, students, administrators, and non-teaching staff, which would implement the plan drawn up to a level of integration across the school curriculum.
As the school progresses, they should integrate the area of discipline which would serve to establish new rules and boundaries of behavior. I would suggest establishing a program of “Restorative Justice,” which involves the student directly and helps achieve an environment of fairness and accountability.
Schools that establish a culture of character are successful because they create ethical awareness, prevent violence, and increase academic achievement.
I suggest that they live, model and promote the language of virtues to recognize, guide, thank, and correct behavior.
By means of this “lifestyle,” students can genuinely aspire to live kinder, more purposeful lives; parents will raise children of integrity and compassion, and educators will create a culture of character and caring in our schools.
I am certain that every parent would desire this for their children.
It’s time to get ready, get on your marks and just go!
