Download What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good Character

What Teachers Can Do to
Foster Good Character
First, they must themselves be
examples of good character to
students. While they need not be
paragons of virtue, they clearly
must themselves be working on
their characters.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster
Good Character
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Second, they must see the development of
the student’s moral life and character as a
professional responsibility and priority.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good
Character

Third, teachers must be able to engage
students in moral discourse about the
“oughtness of life”; they must be able to
talk with them about what is right and what
is wrong in life.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good
Character

Fourth, teachers must be able to articulate
clearly their own positions on a range of
ethical issues, while at the same time, not
necessarily burden their students with all of
their ethical opinions.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good
Character

Fifth, teachers must be able to help students
empathize with the experiences of others, in
effect, helping them to get outside
themselves and into the world of others.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good
Character
• Sixth, teachers must be able to establish in
their classrooms a positive moral culture, an
environment with high ethical standards and
where respect for all is exhibited.
What Teachers Can Do to Foster Good
Character
• Seventh, teachers must be able to provide
students with the opportunity for activities
in school and in their communities that will
give them the experience and practice in
behaving ethically and unselfishly.
Potential to Shape
Character
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Every person who interacts with young
people has the potential to help shape their
values and character.
Our words and actions often influence
young people more than we know and
without our intention to do so.