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2015 National Forum on Character Education
Breakout Session Schedule
Friday October 16, 2015
How to Activate Kids’ Empathy
Presenter: Michele Borba
Empathy activates conscience, curbs bullying, reduces prejudice and promotes moral courage, the
foundation to trust and the center of everything that makes a society civilized.
This inspiring session offers ways to teach students vital habits that will increase empathy and
reduce bullying while improving their academic performance and character. You’ll learn cuttingedge science that proves those gains, and you’ll leave with dozens of simple, practical strategies
can be easily applied to any subject or grade level and make a difference on our students’ lives.
Atrium B/C Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
I Have This Technology Tool… Now What Can I Do with It?
Presenters: Sheilah Jefferson-Isaac & Lisa Stutts
Technology is truly transformative. It is changing the pace of education in the classroom and is
rapidly becoming a part of the students’ everyday world. At Northern Parkway School, deliberate
steps are taken to use technology to create opportunities to teach character development. This
technology can help build relationships, and positive relationships are built on good character.
Participants will explore how to use Edmodo as one specific technology tool to support their
character education goals.
A601 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Connecting Character and Sports During Dialogic Read Alouds
Presenters: Dana Reisboard & Samantha Newell
Dialogic read aloud formats are powerful in the classroom. In this session, where audience
participation and hands-on learning are emphasized, educators will learn about how oral readings
of children’s books can expertly engage students. Criteria for selecting read aloud books are
introduced, and texts that relate to sports and personal character are used to model text selection.
A602 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
A Teaching Strategy to Strengthen Students’ Moral Action
Presenter: David Wangaard
Imagine making core values the central part of your lesson plan. At this session, you will learn a
teaching strategy to support student moral action that can be integrated in English and social
studies lessons. Participants will be introduced to a protocol to teach ethical analysis, judgment,
and strengthen ethical commitment while identifying moral behaviors to act on their ethical
decisions.
A702 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
It All Begins with Me
Presenter: Evett Barham & Pryor High School Students
In this interactive session, participants will learn from high school students how using the 7 Habits
of High Effective People can turn a school culture of “Me” into “We.” Participants will see the
connection between a student-led classroom, a school, and a community through using principlebased ethics and leadership.
A703 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Creating Great Schools with Character and Creativity
Presenter: Tony Devine
Education can become more relevant in the twenty-first century by integrating character and
creativity into all aspects of school culture. Not only are these essential competencies sought by
employers, they also lead to stronger families and communities. Schools can help with child
development by providing a meaningful and productive experience that prepares them for success
after graduation. Learn from the Global Peace Foundation's work transforming schools in eight
countries over the past five years with evidence-based results, strategies and replicable best
practices.
A704 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Dinner Dilemmas!
Presenter: Valerie Gallina
Do you want parents and community members more engaged in character education? Learn about
how the use of Dinner Dilemmas will get your school community talking about issues your
students are facing, and explore how they can create solutions that are closely tied to your
school's core values.
A705 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Developing Noble Purpose in Youth through Core Values
Presenters: Maurice Elias, Danielle Ryan & Arielle Linsky
Are you teaching your students to be of service to others and to recognize that they belong to
something greater than just themselves? Our Ambassador Program in urban middle schools
shows that developing Noble Purpose requires a constellation of values: diligence, forgiveness,
future-mindedness, generosity, and creativity. A tremendous need for students with a sense of
Noble Purpose exists; however, developing this in today’s youth has proven challenging. Watch us
present effective methods for youth empowerment, skill building, and healing.
A706 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Stamping Out Chronic Toxic Behavior to Transform School Culture
Presenter: Jeff Jones
Unfortunately, just a small dose of toxic behavior in a classroom can be detrimental to school
climate. Reclaim your classroom and school culture utilizing character education as the driving
force. Jeff has led this courageous type of work in the trenches. His speeches have been praised
for being "inspiring and truly entertaining" as he shares creative, research-driven strategies and
even sings his original music!
A708 Session 1: Friday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Elementary Math & Character
Education
Presenters: Marvin Berkowitz & Mindy Bier
Math skills are vital to college success and career readiness in our increasingly competitive and
globalized world. So, how do we cultivate “math positive” students? At this session, learn how
educators can effectively motivate their students to be engaged in mathematics material and enjoy
it, too! Participants will also explore how math learning is relevant in their 21st century lives.
Atrium B/C Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
The Mindset Revolution: Promoting Academic Excellence, SelfDiscipline & Accountability
Presenter: Scott Shickler
What do the world’s happiest and most successful people have in common? Their mindset, and not
what or who they know. Scott will introduce the 7 Mindsets and share the positive influence
mindset-based education has had on elementary and middle schools around the country. He will
discuss strategies for creating a mindset revolution that results in a long-term impact on teachers,
students, and parents. Scott’s presentations use research-based stories, videos and activities that
participants can immediately put to use.
A601 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Coaching for Character with Legacy Leadership
Presenters: C.H. Wilson Jr., Christina Gipson, Trey Burdette, Donald Zwald & Dan Czech
Coaches have a great opportunity for positive influence, often spending more time with their
players during their seasons than even the players’ parents. Legacy leadership builds upon
servant leadership and transformational leadership to assist in Long Term Athlete Development
(LTAD), including character development. This presentation will provide coaches and
administrators of all levels of experience with the basics of legacy leadership, examples of it in
action, and practical tips for implementation at every age level.
A603 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Character Education Supported by the Community
Presenter: Leslie Bolser
Character education extends far beyond the classroom. In this interactive session, participants will learn
about an innovative approach where character education is able to connect businesses and community
organizations with schools in a mutually beneficial relationship. Participants will be introduced to this
innovative strategy and the resources that are necessary for businesses and community organizations
seeking to promote a school’s growth in character education and values.
A701 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
BAM (Building Assets and Memories)
Presenters: Ben Huising & Students
Engaging students in classroom material is critical to their success. However, struggling to do so
can lead teachers up a slippery slope. Come to this highly interactive workshop, facilitated by both
high school members of BAM For Youth and their adult coordinators, to learn about their
philosophy of youth engagement and how to develop it into a relevant program in your own school.
A703Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Getting Hard Data Easily: Assessing Student Character and Your CE
Initiative
Presenter: Mark Liston
Program evaluation is time-consuming and labor-intensive. This session introduces free, brief
measures of character, as well as the Character Growth Index, which is a reliable measure of 14
key traits. These tools can help you objectively and easily assess your students’ character and
your school’s character initiative. Copies, links, and sample reports will be provided for use in your
own school.
A704 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Parent YOU 101
Presenter: Marian Nelson
Are you concerned that your children lack the confidence they need to be successful? Do they
show signs of disrespect or impatience? Raising kids with strong character doesn't just happen.
Learn five vital strategies to make character a top priority in your family and how to create a
healthy balance between character and achievement.
A705 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Character Education in Literature
Presenter: Andrew Green
Literature is transformative. But when teachers are pressed for time, character education is
usually one of the first topics to get dropped from the curriculum. What if there was a meaningful
way to integrate character education back into the classroom? Learn how game theory paves the
way for using novels and short stories as models for character.
A706 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
The Resilience Breakthrough: Keys to Creating a Resilient School
Climate
Presenter: Christian Moore
How well do your students recover from failure? Drawing from WhyTry Founder Christian Moore’s
book, “The Resilience Breakthrough: 27 Tools for Turning Adversity into Action,” this engaging
presentation empowers participants to become resilient and deliver this skill in the classroom to
students of any background and learning style.
A706 Session 2: Friday from 10:45 am – 12:00 pm
A Caring Classroom Community – Where Smart & Good Begin
Presenter: Hal Urban
According to Hal Urban, an award-winning classroom teacher for 36 years, relationships, caring
communities, and laughter were the keys to his success. Hal nurtured these concepts daily up
until his very last day in the classroom. In this presentation, Hal will draw from the chapters in his
popular book, “Lessons from the Classroom: 20 Things Good Teachers Do” that explain his
strategies for bringing out the best in his students.
Atrium B/C Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Happy Caveman
Presenter: Joe Beckman
Science is now proving what our hearts have always known: that positivity, happiness, and
gratitude are essential! In this dynamic presentation learn:
• The incredible health, social, and educational benefits of positivity
• How positivity can help to unleash engagement in your students and raise test scores
• How to create a culture of positivity in your school...from custodian to Principal
• How we can take our positivity to the next level
A601 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Coaching For Character Development
Presenters:Albert Petitpas & Ryan Graff
Athletes are competitive, but they don’t need to sacrifice their morals in order to be winners on the
field. The purpose of this presentation is to expose attendees to strategies that have been shown
to be effective in promoting character and positive youth development through participation in
sport and physical activity.
A603 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Meaningful Service Learning: Connecting Students & Community
Presenters: Shelley Nixon-Green & Michael Connors
Would you like practical ideas on how to connect students with their community through
meaningful service learning projects? This workshop aims to engage participants in a
conversation about how to empower students to grow as leaders through initiatives that raise
awareness about issues that matter to them. We will share our template for a learning process
that connects positive action in the community with academic learning, 21st century skills,
personal growth, and civic responsibility.
A702 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Social Media: Social, Neurological and Educational Implications
Presenter: Chris Parrott
Social media has a profound impact on today’s youth. This generation of teens is the first to be
brought up in a world of unlimited access to information, images and social interaction. What are
the implications? This workshop will explore the research concerning the effects of social media
on teens’ brains and behavior. Participants will be exposed to the cyber social reality that
pervades teen life and how that reality is shaping their still forming identities.
A705 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
School Transformation through a Social and Emotional Learning Based
Freshman-Seminar
Presenter: R. Keeth Matheny
Transitioning to high school is difficult for many students, but it doesn’t have to be. MAPS, a social
and emotional learning based course offered by Austin School District (TX), is garnering national
attention for its positive effects on students. Hear how Mr. Matheny uses student engagement
strategies in a freshman seminar to help decrease student class failures (36%), discipline
referrals (71%), and dropouts (30%).
A706 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Relationship Management Skills: A Foundation for Successful Teaching
Presenter: Astrid Garza
This workshop focuses on the benefits of a coaching approach to helping students mature
emotionally. As relationship building skills and the benefits of such an approach are emphasized,
educators will begin to understand the benefits of having a sense of empathy and building trusted
relationships when teaching moral behaviors and positive social skills.
A708 Session 3: Friday from 1:15 – 2:30 pm
Creating Strong Families That Build Good Character: 7 Tips for Parents
Presenter: Thomas Lickona
Dr. Tom Lickona, author of Raising Good Children, will share seven ways to create close, loving
families, teach respect, and build good character in both kids and adults in the household. This
session includes a copy of the special issue of Tom’s education letter, excellence & ethics, which is
devoted to parenting and family life.
Atrium B/C Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Five Essential Benchmarks of a Smart and Good School
Presenters: Tamra Nast, Dale Truding & Lori Soifer
Are your students smart, or are they good? In this session, we will explore five essential
benchmarks to help your school foster both intellect and morality. This interactive session will
give time for reflection, stimulate your thinking, and share practical steps you can take to help
move your school toward being smart AND good.
A601 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Tools of the Tango: Improving Life Skils and School Culture through
Ballroom Dance
Presenters: Tatiana Lingos-Webb
Are your students smart, or are they good? In this session, we will explore five essential
benchmarks to help your school foster both intellect and morality. This interactive session will
give time for reflection, stimulate your thinking, and share practical steps you can take to help
move your school toward being smart AND good.
A602 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Instilling Beliefs Moves Your Character Education From Words to
Actions
Presenters: Gary Smit
How can one move the teaching of character from words to action, and what role does character
play in the need to teach Common Core or 21st Century Skills? This session provides answers to
these pressing questions. Teachers will learn about specific ideas, strategies, and tools to assist in
promoting the integration of values and non–cognitive skills. When implemented, these strategies
will help any school to become a place where life skills are acquired, leaders are made, and the
talents of students are unleashed.
A702 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Creating Connections that Count
Presenters: Ty Sells & Jill Smock
In interactive and exciting ways, participants will learn practical and proven strategies for
engaging and connecting with teens. Quality, accurate, relevant information isn’t enough to inspire
students to learn. Adults must first establish a connection with their young people. Participants
will learn new ideas and techniques and remember things they have forgotten. Making a
connection, letting a young person know you care, is the quickest way to get them ready to learn.
Once they are ready, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.
A703 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
School Climate Reform & The 11 Principles of Effective Character
Education: What To Do and How to Do It
Presenter: Jonathan Cohen
As the significance of the discussion over school climate grows, so does the number of challenges
districts face when trying to implement reform in their own classrooms. This workshop supports
individuals and teams interested in developing effective action plans that build on their past
character education improvement efforts. Learn how to master the components contributing to a
positive school climate, from determining school readiness and developing district level policy, to
creating opportunities for leadership development.
A705 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
The Future Belongs to the Curious
Presenter: Emily Cusack
Fostering a strong sense of curiosity in students is essential to improving their academic
performance and career success. Imagine Schools is passionate about inspiring student to
become lifelong learners, and their teachers accomplish this by employing strategies in their
lesson plans that build self-motivation. Come to this session to find out how to ignite curiosity in
the classroom.
A706 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Leveraging SECD
Presenter: Sue Kidd & Cindy Patton
What are the behaviors and mindsets related to personal, social and character development that
we hold for our children? How can we come together to sustain that learning and recognize
success? We will explore the Kansas Social, Emotional, and Character Development Model
Standards, discuss how they support the KS SOC Recognition Process and look at the ripple
effects this work is creating.
A708 Session 4: Friday from 2:45 – 4:00 pm
Saturday October 17, 2015
National Schools of Character Showcase
Presenters: National Schools of Character
A702-706, A708 Session 5&6 Saturday from 9:15 – 11:50 am
Kindness Can Be a Change Maker
Presenters: Kristine Pasquini & Kelsey Gryniewicz
Every day we experience challenging situations--learn how innovative high school leaders are
overcoming those challenges and inspiring a happier world through kindness. Learn how Random
Acts of Kindness can truly impact our needs to belong, make a difference and change the world.
A602 Session 5 Saturday from 9:15 – 10:30 am
A Formula for Analyzing Moral Dilemmas in Literature for Secondary
Students
Presenter: Stacy Ludwig
Moral dilemmas in novels are excellent points of discussion in the classroom. This session will
outline a formula that combines Wiggins and McTighe’s backwards design with Costa and Kallick’s
Habits of Mind to encourage high school students to analyze moral dilemmas through critical
thinking and text-to-self connections. In addition, strategies will be discussed for beginning the
year by establishing a democratic, character-focused classroom with a model that can be used in
a variety of content areas, such as Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
A601 Session 6 Saturday from 10:35 – 11:50 am
The Balance of Values & Accountability
Presenters: Deanna Slamans, Amanda Dayton, Naseim Walker & Franchesca Ramirez
Discipline is not always about correcting behavior. It can also shape a student’s core values and
help create meaningful dialogue around even the simplest rules. Milton Hershey School students
wish to engage adults at Character.org with their journey to begin to live out their Sacred (core)
Values within their accountability system. It is the desire of Milton Hershey School to explore, with
other schools, the importance of teaching discipline and structure under a framework that is
values-driven and with a focus on leadership development.
A602 Session 6 Saturday from 10:35 – 11:50 am
Youth Led School-Community Partnerships
Presenter: Jonathan Cohen
Learn about a new community scale that can be used with any school climate survey or as a ‘stand
alone’ metric and the youth-led School-Community Partnership Process. This scale and process
powerfully supports the schools’ improvement goals and any number of other school-community
partnership projects.
Atrium B/C Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Character Based Literacy: Mapping an Alternative Approach
Presenter: Thomas Kostic
Character Based Literacy of Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics uses the
ELA curriculum aligned to Common Core standards. CBL is designed for students with marginal
success in school, who are at risk for school failure and antisocial behavior. It has been used in
court, community schools across California for over 20 years.
A601 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Understanding Teaching Conditions
Presenter: Nick Yoder
Character Based Literacy of Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics uses the
ELA curriculum aligned to Common Core standards. CBL is designed for students with marginal
success in school, who are at risk for school failure and antisocial behavior. It has been used in
court, community schools across California for over 20 years.
A702 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Character Development and Academic Achievement through Wise
Sayings and the Arts
Presenter: Richard Benjamin
Art can be a powerful force for quality education. Come see how in videos of students drawing and
acting out both the literal and figurative meanings of key sayings before teaching their unique
interpretations to other students. This session focuses on engaging children in creative exercises
that develop not only their critical thinking skills, but also their character.
A703 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Character Continues After School
Presenter: Jeff McMurdy
Character Education doesn't stop when the school bell rings at the end of the day. It follows
students to their home or an after-school program. This session examines two highly successful
models where kids do not only have fun, but also learn and develop strong social skills through
character education before, during and after school. It also covers connecting the community with
the after-school program and how that partnership leads to better students and better citizens.
A706 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Character Around the World
Presenters: Michele Borba & Dave Keller
Our students’ character is in trouble. Scores of disturbing indicators prove it from the steady rise
of bullying, apathy, cheating, and aggression as well to the sharp decline in respect, civility,
responsibility and honesty. The problems are worldwide, but educators are implementing
character-driven practices to curtail these trends. Learn what countries are doing around the
globe to raise a generation of respectful, empathetic kids with strong character. Michele will share
strategies seen while working in schools around the world: Taiwan to Armenia; Mexico to Vanuatu;
Colombia to Karabagh, the Philippines to Indonesia; Rwanda to Singapore.
A704 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
The Pitfalls of Extrinsic Motivation on Empowering Students
Presenter: Terry Gill
Many people oppose the behaviorism rewards system found in schools. This interactive workshop
will discuss some of the research findings extrinsic rewards can have on a child’s intrinsic
motivation and character development. Educators will watch an interview and examine a survey in
order to see this issue from a student’s perspective. There will be opportunity for role-play and
discussion on practical classroom practices we as educators can use to empower students to
internalize self-motivation, self-regulation and self-confidence.
A705 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm
Developing Changemakers: Character and Social Justice
Presenters: Tara Phillips & Giovanna Fischer
La Cima’s vision is to develop students who have the intellectual capacity, social capital and
emotional strength of character to be successful and to act as effective change-makers in their
communities. Learn how our K-5 Humanities curriculum and C.A.R.E. principles empower our
students to be agents of social justice linking smart and good.
A708 Session 7 Saturday from 1:45 – 3:00 pm