WOW..what an amazing first day at the University of San Diego! I met and learned from some amazing people today that are definitely shaping character education in our country. I loved that a lot of what was discussed was on the elementary level which completely fits with my students' needs. First, we heard from Stuart R. Grauer who shared some amazing stories and pictures of the experiences the students in his school are able to be exposed to in hopes "No Child will be Left ON his or her Behind". He emphasized the importance of play and freedom of choices and how greatly they impact our childrens' happiness today, but years from now.
Then, we were introduced to the most energetic speaker I have experienced in a long time, Barbara Gruener. Its so refreshing to see someone have that much spirit in their approach to serving the most precious parts of our society- our children. I want her in my school like LAST YEAR! I wonder if she'll move to Virginia Beach? :) Her use of super heroes to demonstrate and teach character in her school is so much fun. I think the comic book writers should jump on her for retail ideas. Interesting enough my daughter, Amber Logsdon, wrote an article on the female super heroes introduced by Marvel so let's not forget our lady hereos. (I will post at some point Amber's article for you to reference.) Because I couldn't get enough, I went back to listen to her more after lunch and completely enjoyed her extended version of her presentation. I can't wait to modify the "Hardening Kryptonite" into the balloon lesson to visualize how exposure and displays of these actions can bring down the various goals we are trying to pursue and raise ourselves higher.
Finally, the day ended with Thavamalar Kanagaratnam enlightening us in that although we are oceans apart, we are still united in our pursuit to help our children learn how to be the best they can be! I loved the use of common language and curriculum that they have incorporated into their school day surrounding character. Imagine if ALL children were free to become who they want to be, were exposed to insightful and positive role models, and had intentional education guiding them as these speakers discussed. I can only hope that these traits become innate and the need to character educators dissappears. If so, then we all succeeded! What a wonderful world we would live in! Until then..
KNOW..LOVE..DO!
Barbara Gruener
Then, we were introduced to the most energetic speaker I have experienced in a long time, Barbara Gruener. Its so refreshing to see someone have that much spirit in their approach to serving the most precious parts of our society- our children. I want her in my school like LAST YEAR! I wonder if she'll move to Virginia Beach? :) Her use of super heroes to demonstrate and teach character in her school is so much fun. I think the comic book writers should jump on her for retail ideas. Interesting enough my daughter, Amber Logsdon, wrote an article on the female super heroes introduced by Marvel so let's not forget our lady hereos. (I will post at some point Amber's article for you to reference.) Because I couldn't get enough, I went back to listen to her more after lunch and completely enjoyed her extended version of her presentation. I can't wait to modify the "Hardening Kryptonite" into the balloon lesson to visualize how exposure and displays of these actions can bring down the various goals we are trying to pursue and raise ourselves higher.
Finally, the day ended with Thavamalar Kanagaratnam enlightening us in that although we are oceans apart, we are still united in our pursuit to help our children learn how to be the best they can be! I loved the use of common language and curriculum that they have incorporated into their school day surrounding character. Imagine if ALL children were free to become who they want to be, were exposed to insightful and positive role models, and had intentional education guiding them as these speakers discussed. I can only hope that these traits become innate and the need to character educators dissappears. If so, then we all succeeded! What a wonderful world we would live in! Until then..
KNOW..LOVE..DO!
Barbara Gruener