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Sarah Baier (left), a 4th-grade teacher at Hayward’s Intermediate School, and Barb Chiszar, activity and athletic director at Hayward Community Schools, show off the awards they won for their character education program. WEAC is a key sponsor of the Character Education Conference planned through the School District of Jefferson Character in Action Initiative. View slideshow
About 300 educators and administrators from far away as Hayward and Prairie du Chien attended the 4th Annual Character Education Conference at the Country Springs and Conference Center in Waukesha (June 23-25, 2008). WEAC is a key sponsor of the conference, which is planned through the School District of Jefferson Character in Action Initiative.
Bonni Cohen Habor, principal at Shorewood School District’s Atwater Elementary School said the district sent 24 people – teachers and administrators – to the conference administration and teachers. “It has to be about the kids. We want this to touch the lives of every Shorewood student,” she said.
Denise Sather, a school psychologist for Milwaukee Public Schools who coordinates the district’s Life Skills Training program, said the conference energized her. Sather said the conference was well run, with dynamic speakers. “Every workshop had something to offer. It gets you to thinking about how you impact students.
“You have an ‘ah ha’ moment. You feel it here,” she said patting her chest. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Sarah Baier, 4th-grade teacher at Hayward’s Intermediate School, said she had a lot to take home. That included four awards that the district received.
“The conference is excellent and very informative and I have lots of things to take back to the classroom. Character is something every child can be taught. Not just the high achieving kids,” she said.
The Jefferson Education Association has worked closely with the Jefferson School District administration in establishing a nationally-recognized character education program. Nona Schrader, JEA president, said, “It’s just amazing to see how this conference has grown in the last four years. I’ve seen it grow in quality and diversity. What’s so fascinating about this conference is that they have four nationally known keynote speakers. It’s rare to have a district put something like this together.
“It’s motivating to listen to the keynotes,” she continued. “They praise us and recognize the job we do in the classroom and our ability to affect our students.”
Related Links:
School District of Jefferson Character in Action Initiative
Posted June 27, 2008