The Ministry of Education has called on all school boards to implement
Character Development initiatives. In Lambton-Kent, as in many other boards,
character development is already reflected in many ways through daily student
experiences, contributing great value to the quality of school life and student
learning.
Character development "... is a deliberate effort to cultivate virtue -
that is, objectively good human qualities that are good for the individual
person and good for the whole society." -- Thomas Lickona
It is these qualities, or attributes, that determine the nature of
interactions that take place among students and between students and staff; that
set the tone and influence the learning atmosphere in our schools and
classrooms, and that ultimately impact success for every individual and
group.
The principles and attributes of character are not specific to a particular
set of beliefs, but instead are universal in nature, and transcend racial,
ethno-cultural, linguistic, religious, gender, physical and intellectual
ability, and other demographic factors.
Character development calls for every student to be their personal best, to
be self-aware, to exercise self-discipline within themselves, and to demonstrate
empathy and understanding toward others.
These attributes will help students establish and maintain quality
relationships, and in conjunction with respect, responsibility and fairness,
allow our schools to continue to be safe places to be and learn.
Attributes that contribute to positive group dynamics, and successful
learning collaborations in school, ultimately lead to workplace advantages. The
Employability Skills Profile developed by the Conference Board of Canada
presents the perspective of Canadian employers. It states that personal
management skills are essential for students entering the workplace. These
include characteristics such as honesty, responsibility, integrity,
initiative, adaptability, and respect for diversity.
For more information about Character Development at the LKDSB, contact:
Angie
Barrese - Superintendent of Education - Special Education
Lori Gall - Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Education - Special Education