PRESENTATIONS

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Character Education and the Challenges Facing Youth in Relationships
The presentation focuses on core ethical principles and universal values as the way to deal with the challenges that youth have in relationships. It reviews both "Intrapersonal" and "Interpersonal" relationships. The presentation also highlights  relationship and communication skills and delves into conflict resolution. It focuses on the importance of goal setting and the consequences of both undeveloped character and high conflict relationships.

Introduction to Character Education Initiative
The PowerPoint presentation is an introduction to the character education initiative which is a multi- pronged approach to building character and successful relationships. It includes a focus on school, family and community. The character education initiative is based on the three life goals to develop character which are: (1)To grow and become a person of mature character (2) To build healthy relationships and a loving family (3) To make a positive contribution to society, particularly through service learning. Studies have shown that a character education program is most effective when it is a comprehensive, intentional effort of these three components working together, thereby creating a support system that will reinforce the lessons learned.

Educators Training Video

The educators training video is an introduction to the character education initiative. It was developed from an educators training workshop that was conducted in Pennslyvania.

Presentation on Discovering the Real Me, Student Textbook Teacher’s Manual 1:   Learning To Be Good
The stories in Learning to Be Good are retellings of famous fables, especially Aesop’s, with a character education emphasis. These timeless and illustrative stories have traveled from culture to culture and generation to generation. They appeal to all age groups with their simple but universal lessons about human nature and morality. Since most of the main characters are animals, they have a special appeal to children of this age. Charming illustrations and playful, dynamic activities suggested in the accompanying teacher’s lessons plans enhance the stories and reinforce the lessons learned in a hands-on way.

Presentation on Discovering the Real Me Student Textbook 7:  Who Will I Be?
Dawning adolescence is a time when both the inner and outer world of the child are rapidly changing. Childhood friends are not as good a “fit” as they used to be, new interests are sparking new friendships, the desire to belong may mean succumbing to peer pressure to do things one doesn’t believe in, or else to stand up to the crowd with courage and integrity. Then there are those friendships with the opposite sex that suddenly have some new feelings in them. The question of purpose comes up: the old, irresponsible childish ways are no longer enough to cope with the pressures and expectations, yet knowing who and what one will be is a shore dimly seen at this age. Who Will I Be? deals with this challenging time of life through stories of typical situations children this age might be facing. Thought-provoking Questions for Reflection, Exercises, and Reflection Exercises help the students look at the serious questions of who they are and who they are going to be.

Presentation on Discovering the Real Me Student Textbook 10: Building Successful Relationships
Building Successful Relationships runs the gamut of relationships from the adolescent’s relationship with him- or herself (through self-respect and a sense of value) to his or her relationships in the family, including preparation for a future family. Topics such as respect for others, true love as opposed to infatuation and lust, getting along with seniors and juniors, communication skills, relationships with parents, conflict resolution, sexual integrity, and coping with broken relationships are all topics covered in this fascinating journey into the psyche of the maturing adolescent. User-friendly illustrations and lay-out, including stories in stand-outs and sidebars about adolescents in relationships, make for easy usage and interesting reading. Questions for Reflection, Exercises, and Reflection Exercises stimulate thoughtful introspection.








Empowering Teachers and Parents by Developing Relationship Skills
The presentation gives relationship skills for the empowerment of both teachers and parents. It reviews the changes youth go through in adolescence and how they may react against both parents and teachers to attain their own identity. The authoritarian, permissive and authoritative styles of parenting are reviewed in detail.

Human Development and the Significance of Character Education in Personal Relationships
The presentation reviews the interconnectedness of character in developing healthy relationships, vibrant marriages and families. Character traits that are developed at a young age are taken into relationships both in a positive and negative manner. The presentation also shows the successful elements of healthy, caring relationships within the family.

The Virtue of Respect
The virtue of respect is one of the most important virtues in character development. Everyone wants respect from others. The key in attaining respect is to respect others first. By acting in this manner, we will then attain the attention, love and respect we desire. The presentation has a wealth of practical exercises that can be used at many different age levels on how to generate more respect in relationships.

The Virtue of Commitment
Commitment is a virtue that many individuals are challenged by. We live in a very fast-paced world. The idea of delaying gratification or fulfilling obligations and responsibility is not very high on the list of priorities for young people. The presentation looks at traditional and contemporary wisdom to help develop commitment in youth at many different age levels.

The Virtue of Honesty
Honesty is the virtue that is consistently voted for by parents, teachers and administrators when they choose desirable virtues for a character education initiative. Many teenagers today have a very difficult time with being honest and taking responsibility for their actions. Honesty and trustworthiness are extremely important for successful business and family relationships.