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Understanding the Past, Creating the Present, Imagining the Future
Understanding the Past, Creating the Present, Imagining the Future
Courage, Honesty, Integrity, Trustworthy, Sincerity, Caring, Humility, Respect, Loyalty
These were some of the words that encircled the classrooms in my elementary school. They were written in large, black, fancy cursive on thick white paper. They were posted near the ceiling, spanning both sides of the classroom.
In third-grade I would stare at those words, not knowing what most of them meant. They just resonated with me. I remember having a feeling of wanting to “be” those words. One word in particular stood out—integrity. When I finally looked it up in sixth-grade., I fell in love with the meaning and wanted to “become” that word.
Integrity—the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
Becoming this word is not easy. In fact, it’s impossible. I, like all other human beings, make mistakes and bad decisions. However, I use integrity as a compass. If I get off course, integrity helps me to correct myself and get back on track.
At my high school graduation award ceremony, I received a “Good Citizenship” award and medal from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On the certificate it listed the following:
Honor: honesty, high principles, trustworthiness, loyalty, truthfulness, punctuality, moral strength and stability, cleanliness in mind and body.
Service: cooperation, meritorious behavior bringing honor to school or community, kindliness, unselfishness, true Americanism, individual responsibility to God, Home and Country.
Courage: mental and physical, determination to overcome obstacles.
Leadership: personality, originality, ability to lead others, good sportsmanship, responsibility.
Patriotism: fundamental Americanism.
There hasn’t been a single award since that I have cherished more.
Character development is one of the six pillars at Academy of the Renaissance.
Character development isn’t as easy as reading a definition of a word and then trying to live it each day. I had wonderful parents and siblings who instilled these qualities into me. I had wonderful teachers who instilled these into me. I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people of similar characters and qualities throughout my life who have further influenced my character in positive ways.
Developing character takes time. Our academy must first identify, define, and discuss the different character traits with our students. Students must see examples of people demonstrating these qualities. It will then require a conscious effort by the students to live by those traits.
Will our students make mistakes? Most certainly. Mistakes will be learning moments where students will use those character traits as guiding principles toward fixing mistakes. Like anything else in school, character development will require overcoming setbacks as well as celebrating successes.
Character development is not just for our students.
I hold a firm belief in the idea that you cannot teach something you do not know well. I also hold a firm belief that you cannot teach a character trait which is not part of you.
Teachers and staff will have to reflect the very principles and qualities they want to instill into our students. Parents will be expected to uphold the same character traits in order to create continuity for students at home and at school. And community members with whom we develop relationships and partnerships will be expected to uphold those qualities.
Academy of the Renaissance strives to become an exemplary school. To do so means we must uphold the highest standards in education as well as guiding principles. To achieve this, we will use those standards and principles to help us make the correct decisions at all levels throughout our system.
Achieving great wealth, knowledge, and status without principles can be dangerous to all. That is why developing a strong moral compass in our students is an important part in making them model global citizens.
