By Sandra Zunino

With school back in session, more than 100 Character Counts coaches will be gearing up to visit students across the county and promote the six pillars of character outlined by renowned ethicist Michael Josephson.

“Our volunteers are the very heart of this program,” says Character Counts Coordinator Jacki Carter. “It would not be a success without them.”

First proposed to the Queen Anne’s County Community Partnerships for Children in 1999, the Character Counts program teaches values to children thus strengthening their moral fiber and hopefully improving the  ethical quality of society as a whole.

Concepts of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship comprise the six pillars that are the basis for teaching children values. Translating the acronym TRRFCC to “terrific” helps children remember each pillar, says Jacki. “Educators and experts from the Josephson Institute came up with that framework,” she explains. “It’s a way for anyone to teach values to children by starting out simple and expanding as they grow.”

The program incorporated only second through sixth grades when it started in 2000, but is now a presence from kindergarten to high school. Since its inception, Jacki says school principals agree the program produces positive results. “The teachers are thrilled with what our coaches are doing,” says Jacki. “The kids are learning a lot and look forward to the coaches coming in.”

Volunteers are often parents or grandparents of school-aged children, members of the business community and even county employees. Jacki estimates each coach donates about 40 cumulative hours per year per class which includes weakly 15-minute sessions, travel and lesson preparation. Some volunteers devote additional time by coaching more than one class or creating elaborate lessons. “One volunteer conducts game shows that he puts on QACTV,” she says, “while another holds mock elections in the classroom.”

Volunteers glean lesson inspiration from the internet, Kent Island and Centreville libraries and from Jacki’s personal library. “I encourage coaches to read to students because children really love to hear stories,” she says, “even magazine articles read to older students can illustrate one of the pillars.”

Jacki works closely with the board of education and guidance counselors to place coaches in classrooms, and provides oversight so coaches understand how to work within the capabilities of their students’ age bracket. She asks coaches to commit to the school year and arrive for lessons on time, but for the most part, Jacki tries to make sure volunteers feel as comfortable as possible. “It would cost over $90,000 if I had to pay these volunteers,” says Jacki, “and what they give back is immeasurable.”

Jacki says it’s vital for community members to exemplify ethical practices themselves. “We can teach our children all we want, but if they don’t see these pillars being practiced in the community, there’s a total disconnect,” she says. “Every single one of us is responsible for implementing these pillars on a regular basis.”

Volunteers are not only needed as Character Counts coaches but also as mentors, as the program has expanded to include in-school and after-school mentoring for one-on-one positive youth development.

Partnerships for Children is the Maryland local management board in charge of providing of a network of children and family services. For more information about Partnerships for Children, visit www.qac.org. For more information about Character Counts, visit www.peopleofcharacter.org. For volunteer information, call Jacki at 410-758-6677.