By Mark Hyatt, President & CEO
During my first two months as CEP’s President & CEO, I have spent most of my time meeting with others who are committed to improving schools and developing good character in young people. As part of the immersion, I’ve talked to classroom teachers, parents, school and district administrators, university professors, school board members, state-level officials, foundation presidents, and senior staff at other nonprofits.
From this experience, I have been inspired by amazing people. Additionally, I am even more committed to ensuring that CEP does the best job possible supporting our many friends and colleagues who are working so hard to make a difference in their schools, communities and states. And, finally, I am more convinced than ever that leadership really matters.
Take, for example, the magic now taking place in Wisconsin. About four years ago, a small group of caring citizens and community leaders, largely under the visionary guidance of Mr. Dick Pieper, wanted to see intentional character development in Wisconsin schools. Toward that end, they rolled up their sleeves, did some homework, reached out to others in their state, and then formed a broad and diverse committee composed entirely of other volunteers.
What resulted from this small group of leaders was the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership, or “WCEP.” It is now a growing and flourishing organization with a very good website that shares information and resources with educators across their state. Elaine Gehring, Pam Woodard and others at WCEP also do a marvelous job evaluating and recognizing exemplar State Schools of Character (like Prairie Elementary School in Waunakee and Lake Bluff School in Shorewood this year). They support and assist emerging schools of character, too.
Furthermore, the great leadership team driving WCEP manages a state-level “Promising Practices in Character Education” program, (I believe the only one in the nation). They also formed a strategic alliance with scholars at Alverno College and now offer a special Leadership Academy in Character Education. It is patterned largely after the exceptional academy run by Dr. Marvin Berkowitz at the University of Missouri-St Louis for the past decade or more.
And, if that’s not enough for a group of volunteers committed to character education, WCEP also supports an excellent conference run each year by the School District of Jefferson, a former CEP National School District of Character. This year their conference theme is “Patriotism, Pride and Character.”
Finally, this grass-roots organization composed of volunteer leaders also initiated the “Wisconsin Call to Character.” It supports their goal to help raise the profile of goodness as their standard of public behavior in Wisconsin and integrity as the touchstone for all social interactions in their communities.
None of what I’ve described above would be taking place if were not for a small number of caring volunteer citizen leaders who merely believe in honesty and integrity. You see, leaders do make a difference. All of us at CEP are proud to have WCEP as a partner and state-level affiliate, and we salute everyone involved in their great organization for their steadfast commitment to our shared mission and their remarkable servant-based leadership.
To learn more about WCEP, the Leadership Academy for Character Education, or the School District of Jefferson annual character education conference, see www.wicharacter.org.
