Transition Project: Outside the Fishbowl
This practice features a cooperative leadership model that can be adapted to fit the needs of any school. Participants have the opportunity to discuss current leadership and character development practices. They collaborate on specific strategies that will elevate and enhance the quality of discourse, awareness, and practice of character education in their schools. This collaboration takes place through a “fishbowl discussion.” Participants spend equal time discussing and listening to others. This conversation structure promotes the importance of both communicating actively and listening effectively.  In a fishbowl discussion group leaders present the questions, but all participants are on an equal level. A focus on participant leadership and collaboration in character education teaches faculty, student leaders and the entire student body how to be responsible citizens. True leadership is dependent upon good character and a belief that everyone’s participation is the “foundation of democracy.”