Sign up for the Character Education Updates to stay informed, and visit our Character Education Website for information on legislation, resources, and State Schools of Character.
UPDATE INCLUDES:
SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTER
- 2024 National School of Character: Haynes-Inman Education Center
OPPORTUNITIES & AWARDS
- Leading With Character Summit: October 30, 2024
- Innovative Schools Conference Scholarship Opportunity
- Apply to be a 2025 State of National School of Character
- Character Education Professional Development Opportunities
- Webinars
INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS & RESOURCES
- 11 Principles of Character Revised Guidebook
- Professional Learning Opportunity: How to Integrate Character Education in ELA & Social Studies by Learning About the Holocaust
- On-Demand Professional Learning
2024 National School of Character
Haynes-Inman Education Center
 Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org & Kevin Carr, Principal of Haynes-Inman
On May 30, 2024 Haynes-Inman Education Center in Jamestown was notified by Character.org that it had been named a 2024 National School of Character. Seventy three schools received recognition nationwide, Haynes-Inman was the sole recipient in North Carolina to receive this honor. It is the second time the school has been named a State School of Character having received that distinction in 2017. Click here to watch a video about Haynes-Inman Education Center.
Since its inception, the National Schools of Character program has impacted over three million students, staff, parents, and community members. The schools and districts that apply must meet the rigorous standards articulated in Character.org’s 11 Principles Framework. Each school is assessed by a team of trained evaluators. “Any school may apply, and you can reapply after five years,” said Kevin Carr, principal at Haynes-Inman. “Our school has always focused on treating one another with dignity and respect. It is nice to be recognized; we put such emphasis on our climate and culture.”
Earning this prestigious national honor reflects Haynes-Inman's unwavering commitment to fostering strong character development. This recognition serves as an inspiration to the entire school community and a testament to the power of creating a learning environment where respect, responsibility, and kindness are core values. Congratulations to the entire administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, and community of the Haynes-Inman Education Center!
 October 30, 2024 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday Institute: 1890 Main Campus Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
Join the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for the 2024 "Leading With Character" Summit to discover the transformative impact of Character Education. By attending the first annual Character Education Summit, you will be able to:
-
Understand the 11 Principles of Character Education and how to transform your school's climate and culture.
-
Hear the success stories of State and National Schools of Character recipients and discover how they have revitalized school climate and culture through character education initiatives.
-
Engage with experts and school leaders to delve deeper into Character Education.
Scholarship Opportunities to Attend One of the Next Innovative Schools Summits
3 Location Options
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction invites you to the upcoming Innovative Schools Summit in 2025, a platform dedicated to fostering positive school culture. NCPDI Is excited to offer scholarships to help educators continue their professional development. Each scholarship will cover of the conference registration fee and travel expenses. In exchange for the scholarship, NCDPI asks that scholarship recipients share their learnings with the broader educator community through a webinar or by collaborating on a presentation with the NC Department of Public Instruction.
We're seeking educators who are ready to translate their conference takeaways into impactful webinars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, bringing about positive change in schools across our state. If you're committed to making a difference, both in your own professional growth and in the broader educational community, apply now for a chance to join us at the summit. We encourage you to apply in teams at your school and teams of two or more will receive preference. For any questions, please contact Justyn.Burgess@dpi.nc.gov
Eligibility:
-
Must be a currently employed as a teacher, counselor, social worker, or principal in K -12 NC Public Schools
-
Must be willing to present a webinar or in-person presentation within 1 year of attending the conference, sharing how you implemented strategies or ideas learned at the conference in your school or classroom
-
Must attend the entire conference and share what you learned in partnership with NCDPI
Apply to be a 2025 State and National School of Character
Has your school or district cultivated a supportive and caring community? Do you think your staff, students, and the larger community have successfully implemented the 11 Principles of Effective Character? Apply this fall for State or National School of Character and receive valuable insights and feedback to enhance your school culture regardless of the outcome. The 2023 School of Character Application deadline is November 8, 2024
If you need funding to apply please contact Justyn Burgess at Justyn.Burgess@dpi.nc.gov
Learn More and Get Started!
|
Would You Like To Learn More About Character Education?
Are you eager to create a culture of character in your classroom, school, and district using the 11 Principles of Character Education? NCDPI has professional learning opportunities to assist your school or district with your character education journey. If your school or district is interested in hosting a Character Education Professional Learning Opportunity, please take a moment to complete this survey to help our NCDPI team understand your needs. Contact Justyn Burgess, State Coordinator for Character Education, if you have questions.
|
 Webinar: Your School's Character Journey: A Guide to Becoming a State & National School of Character
Wednesday September 18, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Are you ready to showcase your school's dedication to character development? Join NCDPI for a webinar to learn how to apply This for the prestigious distinction of State and National School of Character!
You will learn how to:
- Navigate the application process and craft compelling narratives: Learn strategies to write impactful narratives that effectively showcase your school's character education journey.
- Choose the right evidence: Discover the best practices for selecting artifacts that demonstrate your implementation of the 11 core principles of character education.
Mindfulness for Educators: What We’ve Learned from the Last 10 Years
Monday, August 5, 2024 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
The mindfulness in education movement is now about 20 years old and we’ve gained a lot of information about what elements of mindfulness practice seem to have a lasting impact on teachers and students. For the past decade, Antioch University’s Mindfulness for Educators program has worked with teachers to explore the benefits of applying mindfulness-based approaches in teaching and learning. This webinar will explore the mindfulness tools that teachers have found most beneficial, discuss how different mindfulness practices can support teachers’ own professional and personal growth in the classroom, and explore ways that anyone who teaches might be able to add some mindfulness elements to their own teaching routine.
Cultivating Calm: Self-Regulation Strategies to Support Children with Big Emotions and Challenging Behaviors
Monday, September 9, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT
Self-regulation is the ability to remain calm and in control of oneself when faced with big emotions. It is what allows children to remain in control of their emotions and responses when something happens that makes them feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, or overly excited. Children who are able to regulate their emotions are better able to be in the moment and engage in what they should. This has a positive effect on social interactions, school success, learning, attention, and focus. When children are well-regulated, they tend to exhibit fewer challenging behaviors.
This webinar will explore ways to nurture and support the development of self-regulation skills in the school environment with the intention of decreasing challenging behaviors. It will explore:
- What self-regulation is and how it impacts children’s ability to remain calm, in control of their bodies, and attentive to what they should
- The relationship between self-regulation and challenging behaviors
- Strategies to teach all children self-regulation skills so that they have the tools to replace challenging behaviors with well-regulated responses
- How to implement strategies throughout the school day to help all children learn how to self-regulate to the best of their ability
11 Principles Guidebook
Character.org has released the newly revised version of the 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character. The Guidebook explains each principle and key indicators, along with recent school-based examples.
Learn More or Purchase.
Professional Learning Opportunity: How to Integrate Character Education in English Language Arts & Social Studies through Holocaust Education
Are you looking for ways to implement both Character Education and the Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act in ELA and Social Studies classrooms?
Learning about Character Education through the lens of the Holocaust allows students to build their character and develop skills like empathy and social awareness. In an effort to foster these skills, NCDPI partnered with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to create standards-based resources for implementation in secondary grades. These resources are based on using the texts Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Night by Elie Wiesel. The goal of the resources is for teachers to be able to embed both character education and Holocaust education seamlessly into the core curriculum.
Contact Thomas.Daugherty@dpi.nc.gov and Kelly.Schultz@dpi.nc.gov to set up a professional learning experience or to learn more about these resources and how they can be used in your classrooms.
On-Demand Professional Learning
Take advantage of recordings of NCDPI Character Education & Social-Emotional Learning on-demand webinars. Watch these recorded presentations to help you enhance your classroom experience and empower your students to become more empathetic, responsible, and caring citizens. These webinars will help you discover practical strategies to help your students regulate emotions, set goals, and demonstrate self-discipline. Character1 is the password for each On-Demand session.
Character Education
Leading With Character Improve the climate and culture of your school community based on the 11 principles of character education; Gain ideas and resources to improve school climate and culture from a state and national school of character; and understand the impact of character development on teachers, students, and overall school climate and culture
Intrinsic Motivation: Foster intrinsic motivation in students; develop a comprehensive, intentional, and proactive approach to character education at your school
Integrate Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom
Self Management: Discover practical strategies to help your students regulate emotions, set goals, and demonstrate self-discipline.
Responsible Decision-Making: Discover strategies to empower your students to think critically, make ethical choices, and contribute positively to society.
Self and Social Awareness: Discover strategies to help your students develop a deep understanding of themselves and others, fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and positive social interactions
Relationships Skills Discover strategies to help your students discover effective strategies to help your students cultivate strong interpersonal connections, communication skills, and conflict resolution
|