Virtues in Canadian primary schools

This article was recently published:
These elementary school children are virtuousPublished Friday September 17th, 2010 (Fredericton, Canada)
Children at Douglas Elementary School and McAdam Avenue Elementaryare shining examples of what can happen when children are taught virtuesand assets and apply them to their lives.
Virtues are the best qualities within us all.
The strategies of the Virtues Project help children to remember whothey really are and to know that the purpose of life is to have alife purpose.
Virtues are the content of our character and the elements ofthe human spirit. They exist within each of us in potential.
The role of teachers is to bring these virtues to life that alreadyexist within a child.Students at these two schools and others in the area are learningvirtues and it's making a difference.
Each month the schoolsconcentrate on one specific virtue. The kids talk about it in class. Students who exhibit a virtue receive a slip that says they deserve praise for their efforts and their names are announced each Monday morning to the entire school.Every Friday one student that has been recognized for their effortsreceives a prize.
This month the children are studying co-operation, working togetherfor the good of everyone.The students know that they are practising co-operation when theywork well with others and follow the rules.They understand that to co-operate means to offer help and ideasfreely and that it happens when they do their part to keep a safe andhealthy environment.
Fredericton area parent Brenda MacAloon is a Virtues Project facilitator who worked with two of the founders of the InternationalVirtues Project when it was presented to area schools several yearsago.Her experience with virtues started when she was expecting her firstchild and decided this is the way she wanted to raise her family. For a child, she says, the Virtues Project is empowering.
"These virtues are like a little gem that they have inside of them but it takes someone to see it in them before they really believe that they have it. I fell in love with this. It has changed my life, how Ithink, how I treat myself."
Louise LaBerge is Grade 2 teacher at Douglas Elementary. She attended the virtues training workshop and knew it was something she wanted in her life and in the lives of her students."It's caused me to change the way I think, the way I communicate withmy students. It's a very powerful way of speaking, living andcommunicating with people that is very empowering."
Just after a fire drill, she told the children she was proud of the responsibility, the courtesy and purposefulness the children displayed during the fire drill."When I see a child drop something on the floor and I see three others going over to help pick it up I say, 'thank you for your kindness andyour helpfulness.'"
It's all about celebrating good behaviour and virtuous living rather than shaming a child for inappropriate behaviour, she explains.The children are as excited about the virtues project as their teachers.
At McAdam Avenue School, Grade 5 student Timothy Chonkhite says when he studied determination and put it into practice, it helped him to stay focused in school.
For Mitchell Vance, who is also in Grade 5 at this school, studying the virtues made him think about other people.
Jack Oulton and Destiny Leighton are in Grade 4 at Douglas School. They agree that virtues are important and that everyone should try to use them in their lives as often as possible.

Laverne Stewart is a staff writer at The Daily Gleaner.

Virtues Mentorship in Victoria, Canada

At the end of May, 2010, nearly 40 Virtues Facilitators and Master Facilitators gathered in Victoria, British Columbia for four days of sharing, deepening and growing in the Virtues. Participants came from across Canada, the US, Honduras and Africa. Many wonderful things happened and I hope to share some of them with you over the next few weeks.



I made a short video of Richard and Bibiana Andabwa and have posted it on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Roxd_BM4g (Title: Virtues Project Kenya)

Leadership for Virtues

Many of our Virtues trained teachers and community leaders have gone back to their place of work as the only Virtues practitioner. This is very hard to do. As I read the following article I thought of you as you try to spread the word about Virtues and how the five strategies can transform lives.

In your school or community the first follower is crucial. It takes courage to be the first follower, as you also stand out, opening yourself to ridicule. Being a first follower is an underappreciated form of leadership. the first follower transforms a lone idealist into a leader. If the leader is the flint, the first follower is the spark that really makes the fire.

A second follower is attracted, then a few more, and then suddenly everyone wants to be a part of what is now a movement. So if you want to start a movement, remember the importance of nurturing the first few followers. Be public and easy to follow.

Sometimes leadership is over glorified since it's actually the first follower who is the key catalyst. There is no movement without the first follower. We are told we all need to be leaders but that would be ineffective. The best way to make a movement, if your really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.

Reminder: March 13

Emmaloba primary has recently trained student Peace Keepers. They are delighted by the positive changes in discipline and behaviour. Come to a deepening session at Emmaloba primary (Maseno area) where we will cover: Setting Clear Boundaries and Peace Keeper Training. If time allows we will also look again at Spiritual Companioning.
The session will start at 10 am in the school. Refreshments will be provided.

All trained Virtues practitioners are welcome.

Patricia replaces Richard

Richard Andabwa was admitted to hospital two weeks ago and has undergone a serious operation. He is now progressing well and we thank everyone for their prayers.
Because of Richard's health, Patricia conducted the training for police officers in Kimili. Again, the session was short, but the particpants all said that this session will be of great use to them in their families and communities.

Wecome to Kolanya High School teachers

On Tuesday, March 2, Patricia, Lydia Atemi and Esther Bokelo conducted a training session for the teachers of Kolanya High School in Teso District. Although the session was shorter than usual, which meant that we were not able to do many of the interactive exercises, the evaluations were positive and we hope these teachers will stay in touch with us.

Recent training

Last week Richard Andabwa and Patricia conducted a Virtues community training for 40 Anglican clergy in Kakamega. A guest in the group was a senior police officer(provincial staffing) She has arranged for Richard to do a session with trainee police officers this Friday. Patricia conducted a training for 15 teachers and community members last Saturday at Mwiyenga (near Musoli). We will do the second session this coming Friday. Members of both these groups will be invited to join the Virtues Society and to participate in the email list.We all look forward to hearing news from anyone.