New Character Education Program To Be Unveiled At Port Chester Middle School

According to the National Middle School Association (NMSA), a child's most formative years are between the ages of 10 and 15 years of age.

This is powerful information changing the way schools relate to students. Educators who understand the importance of reaching students at this critical juncture are better able to steer students onto the right path, one of learning, maturity, and life-long success.

This is the driving force behind Developmental Designs, a character education program that is set to be implemented at Port Chester Middle School this year.  

Developmental Designs was developed by the same experts who created the program, Responsive Classroom, a program that emphasizes social, emotional and academic growth for students in K-5th grade.

Several years ago, the Responsive Classroom approach was integrated into the curriculum at Port Chester's elementary schools with positive results. This feedback has led many to consider similar strategies geared toward young-adults.

 The Developmental Designs mission statement states that the program "fosters safe, challenging, and joyful classrooms and schools."

The program seeks to teach personal and social skills that will lead to success via the principles of "cooperation, responsibility, empathy, and self-control" during the formative ages of schoolchildren.

This past July, fifteen teachers enrolled in a two-week workshop in order to learn the basics of the program and how to make it work in their classrooms.

A few fundamental main principles for classroom practices recommended by DDMS:

• Modeling and Practicing

Learning by seeing and doing. Routines are developed through practice, practice, practice.

• The Power of Language:

Using the influence of verbal language, gesture, and tone of voice, teachers create a respectful climate for learning on their own.

•  I Have a Problem, How Do I Fix It?

Using the collaboration, methods of social conferencing, problem-solving meetings, conflict resolution, and other structures, to find solutions to problems.

•  I Will Tackle this Math Problem!

Students set a goals they'd like to reach. This helps strengthen their commitment to academic/social growth.

Principal of Port Chester Middle School, Patrick Swift, believes the workshop marked a positive first step toward unifying instructional practices that will ultimately benefit both teachers and students. He would like to see the program implemented across the board.

"The goal is to have all the people in the school conducting themselves in the same manner," he said.

As time goes on, Swift is looking to staff-members to spread the word of their success using the program. The first fifteen teachers, who have already received training for the upcoming fall semester, will serve as a trial group.

"We look forward to introducing this program to more of our faculty at future professional development workshops," stated the administrator.