shoreupdate.com

By: Ashley Winterstein

With the new school year quickly approaching, Respect is an ideal Pillar of the Month for August. Although Character Coaches won’t officially begin their lessons until September, Respect is a pillar that deserves attention as students, teachers, and parents return to their busy fall schedules.

One Webster definition for respect is “to regard as worthy of special consideration.” This definition is precisely what Character Coaches aim to illustrate throughout the year through their words and actions.

A common Character Counts! lesson about friendship helps students understand why it is important to respect each other’s differences. The lesson begins with a discussion about friendship and a description of how every person is a little bit different than the next. Relatives, siblings, and even twins have their own individuality that makes them unique.

With this in mind, Character Coaches ask their students to answer three simple questions and record the answers. These questions could pertain to anything from favorite foods, activities, or subjects in school. They are then to interview one of their friends with the same questions.

Often, the answers their friends gave are not identical to the ones they chose. This outcome serves as a reminder to students that people do not have to be just like them to be their friend. It is actually important for everyone to have different ideas, interests, and talents, while still remaining friendly and respectful of each other.

As Laurence Sterne, a British writer, once said, “Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” With the anticipation building for a new school year, the Character Counts! Advisory Council and Coaches hope that students remember the importance of respecting each other. An opened door, directions to class, or friendly smile will leave a lasting impression.

If you are interested in becoming a Character Coach for the 2010-2011 school year or for more information about the Character Counts! program in Queen Anne’s County, please contact Jacki Carter at 410-758-6677 or jcarter@qac.org.  Queen Anne’s County Character Counts! is a part of QAC Community Partnerships for Children and Families, our local management board.