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March 2026

Character Education

Follow Us On Facebook and Instagram We’re excited to announce that Character Education in North Carolina now has official Facebook and Instagram pages! Follow us for the latest updates on Character Development, Service Learning, Student Leadership, and more: Help us show that Character Matters in NC! If your school or district is doing something impactful in the areas of character, leadership, or service, we want to hear about it. Send your stories so we can help spotlight the great work happening across the state.

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 

• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Become a North Carolina School of Character 
• Pass It Forward: East Wake Students Leading With Kindness

OPPORTUNITIES & AWARDS 

• 11 Principles of Character Education: Building School Cultures Where Every Student Thrives
• Regional Trainings: Jewish Identity & Antisemitism Today
• Promising Practices in Character Education 
• SHAC Learning Collaborative 
• NC Counselor Association Drive-In Workshops
• Laws of Life Essay Contest
• Webinars
• Coffee & Character Chats 
• SEL Day: March 2, 2026 
• Virtual Session: From Buy-In to Breakthrough: Integrating Social Emotional Learning That Lasts
• State-Wide Professional Learning Micro-Credential Pathways for Educators

INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS & RESOURCES  

• 2026 Kindness Calendar
• FingerPrints of Kindness 
• Greater Good Science Center: Resources for Educators 
• On-Demand Professional Learning 

Pass It Forward East Wake Students Leading With Kindness The Pass It Forward (P.I.F.) Club at East Wake High School is quietly making a powerful impact by living out a simple mission: recognize kindness, serve others, and strengthen the school community. Each week, members spotlight a Student of the Week — celebrating peers who demonstrate character, compassion, and positive leadership. These students are featured in the parent newsletter and receive small tokens of appreciation, reinforcing the message that everyday acts of kindness matter. Beyond recognition, the club organizes monthly service projects and provides ongoing support to families in need, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as whenever referrals are made through the school’s SAP counselor. Much of their work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is deeply felt across the school community. Featured in the photo are two student leaders of the Pass It Forward Club, Anasia and Amore, who lead the club’s efforts to recognize kindness and support their school community. The club’s efforts beautifully reflect the spirit of the NCDPI Kindness Campaign, which encourages schools to intentionally notice, nurture, and celebrate caring actions that build stronger communities. Pass It Forward embodies this vision by helping students see kindness as an active choice—one that uplifts peers, supports families, and fosters a culture where everyone feels seen and valued. Through consistent service, recognition, and leadership, these students demonstrate that kindness is not just a moment, but a habit that shapes school climate and strengthens the character of the entire community.

Become a School of Character 

The deadline for this year has passed, but it’s the perfect time to begin your journey so you’re ready for next year’s submission. Whether you’re just exploring or ready to grow, the NCDPI Action Plan will guide your team step-by-step.

Get started:

• Make a copy of the NCDPI Action Plan 

• Determine your school’s readiness 

• Explore NCDPI Resources aligned to the 11 Principles of Character Education.

• Contact Justyn Burgess to schedule a coaching meeting and walk through your application plan.

11 Principles of Character Education Workshop

Building School Cultures Where Every Student Thrives

March 25, 2026 | 9:00-4:00 pm

Harnett County Schools: Gentry Educator Development Center

114 Porter Drive, Erwin, NC 28339

Join NCDPI for a full-day, interactive professional development session to help schools apply the 11 Principles to build a culture of character across their classrooms, schools, and districts. This session will introduce a wide range of approaches, strategies, and practices that school leaders can implement immediately to transform their school climate and culture. Whether your school is beginning its journey or seeking to deepen its implementation, this workshop will provide:

With acts of antisemitism on the rise around the nation, students need to feel safe at school. Join NCDPI for a full-day professional learning session to explore Jewish identity, learn about antisemitism today, and discuss ways to ensure all of our students feel safe and included in our schools. Contact Tom Daugherty with any questions. 

Promising Practices  Promising Practices generally include innovative approaches that promote a particular character strength (or several), engage multiple stakeholders (such as students, staff, caregivers, and community members), and align with the core values of a school or organization. Each Promising Practice must also align with at least one of the 11 Principles. Many of the practices highlight the importance of relationship building, fostering a sense of belonging, promoting service learning, improving behavior, amplifying student voice and leadership, and engaging parents and the community. Deadline is March 22, 2026.

SHAC Learning Collaborative

NC Healthy Schools hosts monthly SHAC Learning Collaborative sessions.  These monthly meetings are the last Monday of each month at 3:00 pm (unless scheduled otherwise, due to holidays, etc.) and are open to all SHAC representatives (or those considering joining a SHAC) to come learn more about what other PSUs are doing, hear about various resources, and share about your activities.

These meetings will primarily focus on SHACs and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model. There will be opportunities to discuss general questions, such as building the team, partnerships, data use, action planning, and questions relevant to your WSCC efforts.  

2026 Northeast Region: District 1

Drive-In Workshop

12 Mar 2026

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Pitt Community College - The Smith Center

1935 Warren Drive Winterville

Session Highlights

• The NC Student Success Standard At A Glance with Dr. Kisha Bryant
• Plug Into Your Power: Sustainable MTSS Strategies for Attendance, Mental Health & Counselor Burnout with Keyoshia Combs
• NCSCA Business Information/ Updates/ Words from the President
  Leveraging Screening Tool Data: A Counselor's Toolkit for Student and Program Advocacy with Genvieve Stephenson
• Anxious Students: Helping Students Discover Their Power When They Feel Powerless with Natalie Spencer

2026 North Central Region: District 3

Drive-In Workshop

13 Mar 2026

8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Harnett County School Educator Development Center

114 Porter Dr, Erwin NC 28339

Session Highlights

• Trauma-Informed Tools for School Counselors with Patterson Williams and Jessalyn Pedone
• The NC Student Success Standard At A Glance with Dr. Kisha Bryant and Justyn Burgess 
• NCDPI Mission Maker Space with Beth Fortner
• The Character Continuum with Dr. Kisha Bryant,
• NCDPI LUNCH INCLUDED (See Link to Order in Confirmation Email)
• Trauma-Informed Tools You Can Teach: A Counselor’s Guide to Staff Training with Patterson Williams & Jessalyn Pedone 

2026 Sandhills Region / District 4 Drive-In Workshop

Drive-In Workshop

19 Mar 2026

8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

UNC Pembroke, Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub

202 Main St. Pembroke, NC 28372

Session Highlights

• Character Education and the School Counselor with Dr. Kisha Bryant, NCDPI
• Trauma In Students (Intensive Session) with LuEvelyn Tillman
• Supporting Students Through Grief with Latanya Reed
• School-Based Mental Health: Best Practices with Emily Smith & Joshua Peele

2026 Piedmont-Triad Region / District 5 Drive-In Workshop

Drive-In Workshop

20 Mar 2026

8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ABSS Career & Technical Education Center

2550 Buckingham Road, Burlington, NC 27217

Session Highlights

• The Character Continuum with Dr. Kisha Bryant, NCDPI
• Making Data Work for You: Practical Tracking Systems for Secondary School Counselors with Cassie Higgs
• Educator Self-Care and Trauma-Sensitive Practices with Orlando Dobbins
• Career Week Ideas with Ashley Price
• Creating Student Leadership Groups with Dayna Brayden and Amber Chatman
• Classroom Management Techniques with Meredith Draughn

The Laws of Life Essay Contest The Laws of Life essay contest encourages elementary, middle, and high school students to reflect and write about a core value that means the most to them – and why. All essay writers will be recognized by Character.org. They will also recognize the most compelling essays and feature them on their website and social media channels. Submission deadline: May 15, 2026

Feedback That Fuels: Turning Formative Data Into Student Motivation

☕ Coffee & Character Chats ☕

Community • Character • Connection

March 18, 2026  | 10:00–11:00 (EST).

Once you register, you will receive an email with the meeting link. Join us each month for an informal virtual gathering where educators across North Carolina come together to share stories, reflect, and encourage one another in this work of building character and community.

Whether you bring a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite morning drink, this is a space to:

💬 Celebrate stories of impact happening in schools
🌱 Share resources, strategies, and ideas
💛 Support one another in sustaining a culture of character

JOIN US — one cup, one chat, one community at a time.

🫶  6th Annual SEL Day 🫶  

March 2, 2026

SEL Day is a global, grassroots campaign for social-emotional learning to support children’s academic recovery, mental health, and well-being. Since its inception in 2020, #SELday has reached over 40 million views. In 2025, over 7,000 SEL champions representing all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries made 4,600+ commitments to showcase, promote, advocate, and support SEL. Advocacy efforts have resulted in SEL Day proclamations in eight states. ​Make your commitment today to showcase SEL in your community, promote it to your personal and professional networks, advocate for it with your policymakers, and support it in your local schools, organizations, and community.

Attend the SEL Day Summit—your registration includes access to the free online event showcasing SEL best practices from states across the country and around the globe. Detailed agenda coming soon! Watch for additional ways to engage with #SELday in your local community from our SEL4US state alliances and global partners!

Sign up for SEL Day:
https://selday.org/sign-up/

Wednesday, March 4

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET
Strength in Connection
Register For The Virtual Event

Wednesday, March 4

2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
The Future of SEL: Policy Trends and Practical Strategy
Register For The Virtual Event
Event Partner: Committee for Children

Thursday, March 5

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET
Strength in Connection
Register For The In-Person Event (Lunch Provided)
Event Partner: Collaborative Classroom

From Buy-In to Breakthrough: Integrating Social Emotional Learning That Lasts

March 2, 2026, 11 AM (EST) 

North Carolina is taking the spotlight in the second session of the SEL Day Summit on March 2 at 11 AM!
Join us for “From Buy-In to Breakthrough: Integrating Social Emotional Learning That Lasts” featuring:

• Anne Nixon, MA, LPA Statewide MTSS Consultant
• Justyn Burgess, State Coordinator for Character Education
• Dr. Beth Rice, Ed.D., Co-Founder SEL4NC & Founder Wellbeing4Learning

Review North Carolina’s collaborative efforts across state, district, and grassroots levels, to prepare students and adults for success in an evolving world. Share practical insights and resources for effectively integrating social and emotional competencies into educational practices. Explore ways to build buy-in and sustain support for educators.

State-Wide Professional Learning

Micro-Credential Pathways for Educators

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Digital Learning and School Connectivity is opening an interest application for upcoming state-wide professional learning micro-credential pathways for educators. These pathways support job-embedded professional learning aligned to statewide priorities in artificial intelligence, data privacy, digital citizenship, and student knowledge construction.

Seats are limited, and this form is intended to gauge interest only; completion does not guarantee enrollment. To ensure equitable access, each Public School Unit (PSU) will be prioritized for one seat per pathway before additional participants from the same PSU are considered, based on availability. Educators will be asked to rank their pathway preferences to support placement if a first-choice pathway reaches capacity.

All cohorts will run from March 1 through May 31. Available Professional Learning Pathways include:

• Basic AI for Educators
• Basic AI for K–2 Classrooms
• Basic AI for 3–5 Classrooms
• Basic AI for 6–8 Classrooms
• Basic AI for 9–12 Classrooms
• Data Privacy for Educators
• Digital Citizenship in the Curriculum
• Student Knowledge Construction in the Curriculum

Please share this opportunity with educators in your PSU who may be interested and encourage them to complete theinterest form.

Additional details, including selection notifications and next steps, will be shared after interest submissions have been reviewed.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting high-quality, flexible professional learning opportunities across North Carolina.

2026 KINDNESS CALENDAR

Make Kindness The Norm 

Thank you for sharing your stories of kindness and compassion with us throughout February. We have loved highlighting these moments in our newsletters and on social media. This month’s challenge reminded us that community well-being is built through everyday actions, shared responsibility, and genuine care for one another. We encourage you to continue nurturing a culture of kindness all year long by using the 2026 Kindness Calendar from the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation with your school community. 

Fingerprints of Kindness Resource 

March Mindfulness

Get ready for a slam dunk week of mental health and well-being activities from Character Strong, designed to help students manage stress, strengthen connections, and recharge as you enter into the final stretch of the school year!

March Mindfulness brings the excitement of basketball season into the classroom with engaging, low-burden exercises that support students’ emotional well-being from PreK-12th grade in  English and Spanish.

• Monday: Mindful Tip-Off
• Tuesday: Kindness Takes Teamwork
• Wednesday: Wellness Workout
• Thursday: Timeout & Talk
• Friday: Fun & Friendship Free-Throw

UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center:

Resources for Educators

UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center draws on the science of well-being to help educators build kinder, happier schools where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Explore learning opportunities such as the free resource hub, monthly community meetings, a self-paced course, or join a community of practice.

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 

The Power of Choosing Love: Watch an Inspiring conversation with Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Choose Love Movement. After the loss of her son Jesse in the Sandy Hook tragedy, Scarlett turned pain into purpose — spreading a message rooted in three simple, powerful words: Nurturing. Healing. Love. Learn how the Choose Love Formula empowers educators to build stronger, more connected school communities.

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 that help students build a deeper understanding of themselves and others while fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and meaningful social connections.

Relationship Skills: Discover strategies to help your students cultivate strong interpersonal connections, communication skills, and conflict resolution

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.