Character education is a privilege – and I believe wise educators treat it as such. A wise educator is far more likely to say, “I get to teach character education” than to grumble, “I have to teach character education.”
“I get to teach” character education using character stories with interactive buttons. I “get to teach” character education using character painting and character puzzles. I even “get to teach” character education using character karaoke! What could be more fun?
Character educators who realize what a privilege it is to teach character education will bring to the course much more passion. They will instill into their students their own excitement for the subject. They will reap greater results, and in less time.
When such an educator is faced with an angry, defiant student, the educator can say, “I get to teach this student self-control, and what a positive difference it will make in that life.”
When a young child is noted for disobedience, the teacher can say, “I get to read Little Zoh’s Submissive Trunk to that child and teach how to obey the right people at the right time. It will make the child happier by far!”
Such an educator never growls, “I have to find some character quotes for character education class.” He or she is more likely to say, “I get to look up character quotes to go with that teen book on responsibility. That will really change things around here.”
Character education is a privilege – really, it is. What other course can an educator present that will make such a stunning difference in students’ entire lives, both before and after they reach adulthood?
Reading is, and always will be, one of the main skills we can give children. It is invaluable throughout life – as long as they use it for good purposes. When they have reading skills without character, however, they can learn violence, aggression, and other vices from their reading. Character education makes the difference between this valuable skill being used for good or for evil.
Character education is a privilege – and its exercise affects all of society. When I taught students how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, I gave them useful skills for their adult lives. They could get by without those skills, but they are useful. When I taught students the meaning of responsibility, made it desirable, and helped them learn concrete ways to exercise it, I helped them build a quality that will impact everyone with whom they interact in adult life. They can’t get by very well without responsibility. They will need it in marriage, in employment, and in other relationships. Run your eyes over a list of character traits and you will probably find few that are not vital for successful life.
During my lengthy teaching career, there were courses here and there that I did not enjoy. I “had to teach” those courses simply because it was a part of the curriculum, and my job description included the entire curriculum. Character education was not one of those “have to teach” subjects.
Character education is a privilege.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?