2009-2010 Conferences + Events

The Academy hosts and participates in a number of conferences, awards banquets, and workshops throughout the year.

THE MAJOR PROGRAMS OF THE ACADEMY

(a) Northeast United States 10^th Annual Conference on Character Education (November 5, 2009). We are proud that this year's conference is co-sponsored by Capital Region BOCES with partners CDPHP (Courage Level) and HSBC Bank USA, NA (Caring Level).

This year's theme is Achieving Excellence in Behavior and Academic Performance: The Result of a Comprehensive Character Education Plan. The keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Lickona (Mr. Character Education) will lead an interactive workshop Strategies on the Road to Excellence: How Focusing Upon Research Based Performance Character Can Transform Your School." The conference also features twenty-eight breakout sessions featuring award winning author Dr. Stephen Birchak, National School of Character Principal Phil Catania and members of national and state award winning schools. The musical performance will be bythe 5th Grades at Jackson Heights Elementary School, Glens Falls City SD (music teacher Cari Kassebaum with Brian Chevalier songwriter.teaching artist). Held on Albany Campus of The Sage Colleges, registration begins at 7:15 AM with the program running from 8 AM-4:30 PM. Two hundred fifty educators and community leaders attended the 2008 conference.For more details go to the ANNUAL CONFERENCE page. For on line registration please access the following link: www.bocesinstructionalresources.org/IRS/events.htm

For detailed information and updates click on Conferences and Events in the left margin: TENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

(b) 8th Annual Youth Leadership Summit (December 3, 2009): Teams of middle and high school students, teachers and parents from twenty Capital Region school districts come together to learn many applications of character education from experts and each other. The inspired results are then developed into action plans for their schools. For additional information or to receive a team registration package contact Kay Bradley at cbradley9@nycap.rr.com.

(c) NYS Schools of Character and Champions of Character Awards (March 24, 2010): The Academy will present the 3rd annual New York State School of Character (NYSSOC) Awards in conjunction with the national Character Education Partnership. Schools/school districts selected for the New York State Awards move on to the national level. Also presented will be the 7th Annual Champions of Character Awards to exemplary teachers, administrators, schools, students, parents, business and community leaders and business and community organizations. All of these individual, groups and organizations will be honored at the Champions of Character Banquet on March 24, 2010 at the Franklin Plaza in Troy, NY. Almost four hundred attended this event in 2009. Those interested in being Underwriters and/or members of the Honorary Committee for this event should contact The Academy. For detailed information and award nominations information/applications click on "Awards and Competitions" in the left margin.

(d) Summer Inner City Program for Students and Families (July, 2010): In its ninth year this exciting venture is organized in partnership with the Troy Housing Authority . Held each weekday morning and Thursday evening in July, it creates positive character trait reinforcement, academic enrichment and enthusiasm for inner city students in grades 1-6 and their families.

The Academy can provide additional information about these programs.

The Academy Journal, Step Up for Character, is in its 4th year.

The Academy has two volunteer boards. Our Leadership Board of teachers, school administrators and community organization representatives, meets monthly and helps organize The Academy's major programs. This board holds a Retreat each summer. The Advisory Board of public officials, business and community organization leaders and school administrators, meets 3-4 times a year.

The Academy also reaches out to the community with special programs. A focus group is developing a character education and special needs program. Additional focal points include: Moral and Performance Character, Bullying Prevention and Service Learning, On site workshops are held for educators, community groups and businesses.

A listing of board members can be found by clicking on "About The Academy" in the left margin: Boards.

Click here to revisit content from past events.