For Character

Role of Other Certified Staff

Ideas for the School Nurse

As a school nurse, you come into contact with many students everyday at a time when they are in need of help and support.  There are steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in your area where all students can see it.

·        Greet students (by name, when possible) whenever you see them in your office, hallway, or even out of school.

·        Use the CHARACTER COUNTS! language when visiting with them.  “Thank you.  That was responsible of you.”  “You are acting in a caring way when you walk a friend who is not feeling well to my office.”

·        Find your own unique ways to highlight the monthly pillar in the nurse’s office, on a bulletin board, or on your door.

·        When dealing with a student who is ill or hurt, work the CHARACTER COUNTS! language into the conversation.  You might say, “What is the responsible thing to do when your stomach is upset?”

·         When you talk with teachers, tell them what you like or what you noticed about their students.  Always refer to a child’s strengths and emphasize the postitives.

·        When dealing with kids who are struggling or having a problem, work as many positive compliments into the conversation as you can.

·        Thank students when you see them modeling the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  “Thank you for being so trustworthy.”

Ideas for the School Counselor

As a school counselor, you spend many hours with individuals and groups of students.  In your role, you can develop a close relationship with the students you serve.  You can have a powerful impact on him/her that can last a lifetime.  Besides being a role model for the PK – 5 students, there are other steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in your classroom or in the hallway near your door – teach, enforce, advocate, and model them.

·        Be an advocate for each child in the building in which you serve.  Build a supportive, caring relationship with each child.

·        Devote a bulletin board for CHARACTER COUNTS! messages.

·        Plan activities for the Pillar of the Month and suggest classroom activities that will connect and provide opportunities to learn and practice each pillar.

·        Assist the principal and classroom teacher in orienting all of the parents to the CHARACTER COUNTS! Program.

·        Encourage access to at least one other caring adult in the building for each student, but especially those at-risk.

·        Assist in planning and implementing celebrations for CHARACTER COUNTS! throughout the year.

·        Set clear boundaries and expectations for the students with whom you work.

·        Use literature to show real models and examples of the Six Pillars.

·        Be clear with the students you encounter about the behavior you expect from them.  If possible, use the language of CHARACTER COUNTS! to remind them.  Act responsibly.  Show respect for the property of others.  A trustworthy person does his/her own work.  Fairness means treat others the way they would want to be treated.  To make friends, be a caring person.

          Ideas for the Learning Resource Specialist

As the Learning Resource Specialist, you spend time with students each week.  In your role, you can develop a relationship with the students you serve.  You can have a significant impact on the kinds of books that they choose to read and on their behavior in the resource center.  Also, you are another adult role model for each of your students our school.  There are many steps you can take to help students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are:

·        Display the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in your classroom or in the hallway near your door – teach, enforce, advocate, and model them.

·        Be an advocate for each child in the building.  Build a supportive, caring relationship with each child.

·        Devote a bulletin board for CHARACTER COUNTS! messages.

·        Devote a section of the resource center to CHARACTER COUNTS! books and information.

·        Plan book activities for the Pillar of the Month so that students can learn them and understand the meaning of each of them.

·        Make special displays for each Pillar of the Month highlighting books that can read that will illustrate/demonstrate the featured pillar.

·        Set clear boundaries and expectations for each of your students’ behavior in the resource center.

·        Share literature that show real models and examples of the Six Pillars.

·        Use the language of CHARACTER COUNTS! to remind students about expectations.  When talking with them about unacceptable behavior, ask them: “Which pillar were you not demonstrating with that kind of behavior?  What will it look like when you do demonstrate that pillar?”

·        Remind students using CHARACTER COUNTS! language, such as “Act responsibly.”  “Show respect for the property of the resource center.”  “A  person who is practicing fairness always brings his/her books back on time so that others will have a chance to check them out.”

Ideas for the Substitute

As a substitute teacher, you will undoubtedly see and observe signs and behaviors that indicate CHARACTER COUNTS! is a very important part of the educational program.  In your role, you can develop a supportive relationship with the students you serve.  Besides being a role model for the students, there are other steps you can take to help these students learn and practice the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!  They are: 

·        Notice the display of the CHARACTER COUNTS! poster in the classroom – teach, enforce, advocate, and model them.

·        Be an advocate for each child in the classroom.  Treat each child in a supportive, caring way.

·        As you begin your day with the students, ask them about the CHARACTER COUNTS! Program and listen attentively as they share with you the pillars you can refer to throughout your stay as you manage the classroom and talk to individuals.  “I an looking forward to this day.  Boys and girls who have learned so much about pillars will surely know how to practice them.”  “Thank you for helping each other with that project.  That was a caring thing to do.”

·        Set clear boundaries and expectations for each of your students.  If you need to remind a student to use appropriate behavior, do so by using the CHARACTER COUNTS! language.  Say, “John, this morning Kayla told us what it means to be trustworthy.  If you had the opportunity to go to the restroom again, how might you do it so it would look like you were practicing the pillar?”  “Sarah, will you show us the caring way to assist Mary with her boots?”

·        Plan little activities for transition times that will keep students constructively involved.  As you are getting ready for mathematics class, think of two responsible things you have done so far today.  Before class starts, ask each child to quickly share one of those things.

·        Use literature to show real models and examples of the Six Pillars.  You can also use the literature to bring about desired behaviors.