Recently, our organization hosted a statewide Excellence and Ethics Academy for educators and administrators in Iowa. The professional development opportunity focused on creating a bully-free, safe and supportive learning environment. Dr. Davidson facilitated a full day of experiential learning that included numerous strategies, concepts and practical tools to help create a positive teaching and learning environment.
Creating a culture of excellence and ethics at any grade level is critical for student achievement both socially and academically. The participants left at the end of the day with several new research-based tools to use at their school or agency. Many of the educators quickly identified how these tools could enhance and strengthen the implementation of other targeted initiatives in their schools such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Olweus Bully Prevention Programs. While others connected the tools with their school-wide character education efforts. No matter the linkages, we must focus on the intentionality of creating a safe and supportive learning environment for our students.
One of the participants, an education consultant and former elementary school administrator commented, “In the age of texting, blogging and tweeting, I found the section on teaching students to find connections with others very helpful and an important piece in creating safe and positive learning environments. Social networking is a necessary skill for the 21st century. The tool and strategies presented by Dr. Davidson for building a culture of excellence and ethics, confirmed by beliefs that classroom teachers CAN shape the behaviors of students in a positive way.”
Another Principal from a rural middle school noted “As all educators know far too well, bullying is a growing concern in our schools and remains the #1 concern of teachers and school staff members. With the advancement of technology, sadly, bullying has taken on many new forms, such as Indirect Bullying and Cyber-Bullying. Dr. Davidson’s research-based work concludes that schools must embrace a multi-faceted, system wide approach to character education; one that is proactive rather than reactive. I found Dr. Davidson’s presentation to be motivating, inspirational and it left me with a sense of – yes, our school can do this to make a difference for all students!”
We look forward to hosting another Excellence and Ethics Academy in the fall focused on – Developing 21st Century Skills for Learning and Life.
