All webinars are 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST

Webinar 1 – January 19
Barbara Luther, CEP Assoc. Director, Prof. Development
The Power of Effective Character Education
The first in our webinar series will examine the importance of comprehensive character development as inclusive and strategically important goals for schools. Within this first webinar, strong reasons for incorporating character education will be highlighted. Social and academic data from schools of character across the nation will be presented along with tips on using the 11 Principles framework to incorporate successful strategies in your own setting.

Webinar 2 – February 2
Phil Catania, Former NSOC Principal and National Trainer
Shaping Your School’s Character Culture
Schools everywhere are looking for what works in getting all students to DO their best work and to BE their best self. Through the use of a School “Touchstone” participants will begin the process of creating common language and shared purpose embraced by all school community members. This research-based, exemplary practice leads to school members investing in the “Way” of a school and working together to promote strong school cultures of character.

Webinar 3 – February 16
Phil Catania, Former NSOC Principal and National Trainer
Developing Student Responsibility and Accountability
Utilizing a shared approach for creating and sustaining classroom responsibilities creates student accountability in action, behavior, and personal choice. With examination and take-away tools for creating a “Classroom Compact for Excellence,” webinar participants will begin the process of establishing character-filled classroom expectations for all–a foundational piece for buy-in, and improved engagement in classrooms.

Webinar 4 – March 1
Linda Morris, Ed.D Former NSOC Principal and Educational Consultant
Turning ‘Tudes into Good Attitudes
In this webinar, the importance of building a caring and respectful community will be emphasized. Relationships as the cornerstone of all school success is examined. Based on CEP’s Principle 4, the past principal of a NSOC school will outline the “whys” and “hows” of creating a feeling of caring among students, teachers and parent groups. She will also suggest ways for you to know when you’re successful. Practical strategies for both elementary and secondary schools will be provided. Participants will also be directed to other resources that could serve as a more detailed roadmap for implementing strategies discussed during this one hour session.

Webinar 5 – March 15
Linda Morris, Ed.D Former NSOC Principal and Educational Consultant
REALLY Bully-Proof Your School–It Takes More than a Canned Program
Everyone recognizes the problem of bullying and many have ideas on how to solve the problem, but how can you choose effective strategies for your school and how will you know if and when you’re successful? This webinar, will look at bullying as a symptom of an unhealthy school climate and give suggestions on how to more effectively engage everyone in eliminating the atmosphere of fear and intimidation–the root of bullying. Practical strategies for both elementary and secondary schools will be provided. Participants will also be directed to other resources that could serve as a more detailed roadmap for implementing strategies discussed during this one hour session.

Webinar 6 – March 29
Richard Benjamin, Ph.D, Senior Training Consultant and School Transformation Specialist; Thomas Panter, Middle School Social Studies teacher
Using Character Development to Foster Academics
This webinar’s focus is on the delivery of challenging academic curriculum where the explicit teaching of character strengthens academic learning and character development. Specific attention is given to strategies leading to high levels of student engagement and techniques for community buy-in. Examples from exemplary schools including NSOC elementary, middle, and high schools are utilized, with specific illustration of certain academic standards, generally considered to be very important and somewhat difficult to teach.

Webinar 7 – April 12
Richard Benjamin, Ph.D, CEP Senior Training Consultant and School Transformation Specialist; Thomas Panter, Middle School Social Studies teacher
Using Character in the Curriculum to Build Meaningful Academics and Social Skills
Focus is on the benefits of challenging academic curriculum and the inextricable relationship with character development. Here social-emotional learning skills manifested through responsible decision-making, social awareness and more, plays a supportive, but inseparable role with academic standards and goals. Illustrations of exemplary strategies for satisfying standards will bridge to the development of 21st Century and employability skills. This process is illustrated at the elementary, middle, and high schools. Explicit attention is given to the transition from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation, and the academic and character development benefits of high-levels of academic service learning.

Webinar 8 – April 26
David Wangaard, Ed.D, Director, School for Ethical Education (SEE)
Recognizing Opportunities for Moral Action
Students and adult participants are welcomed to join this webinar to recognize a variety of opportunities for moral action that can be pursued in schools. Examples will be discussed for application in K-12 settings along with standards to optimize moral action activities. Moral action will be defined to include all three domains (thinking, feeling and doing) of CEP’s Principle Two.

Webinar 9 – May 10
David Wangaard, Ed.D, Director, School for Ethical Education (SEE)
Planning and Implementing Moral Action in Schools
This webinar will integrate lessons from research to advance student moral functioning along with the research from effective service-learning. Planning and evaluation forms will be made available along with relevant follow-up contacts and resources. Students and adult participants are welcomed to join this webinar to recognize a variety of opportunities for moral action that can be pursued in schools. Examples will be discussed for application in K-12 settings along with standards to optimize moral action activities. Moral action will be defined to include all three domains (thinking, feeling and doing) of CEP’s Principle Two.

Webinar 10 – May 24
Mike Galvin, Former NSOC principal and School Leadership Consultant; Chris Briggs-Hale, current school Principal and Leadership Specialist
Celebrating Your Results!
Now that you’ve designed and implemented your character education initiative, why not highlight the results to your colleagues and community? This participant friendly webinar will provide you with a variety of ways to prove that your initiative is indeed making a difference in the lives of your students! We will focus on data collection and its uses at the classroom level.

Webinar 11 – June 7
Mike Galvin, Former NSOC principal and School Leadership Consultant; Chris Briggs-Hale, current school Principal and Leadership Specialist
Making that Data Meaningful!
Don’t take the bait when folks say that “character education can’t be measured.” CEP’s National Schools of Character actively demonstrate the power that character building efforts have in affecting the lives of students AND teachers. Attend this webinar, and learn how to use data to build support for your program and help others in your school and district see proof that character education makes a difference! We will focus on school and district data collection and uses for the data.

Webinar 12 – June 14
Barbara Luther, CEP Assoc. Director, Prof. Development
Reflection and Opportunities
Along with reflection on information shared in the preceding webinars, opportunities for reviewing your own work and continuing your initiative’s growth will be discussed. Further, an array of next steps for advancing your character education initiative will be presented.

Questions? Contact Barbara Luther at bluther@character.org.