12^th Annual Northeast United States

Conference on Character Education

Held at the Sage College of Albany

“Dignity for All Students: Character Education Paves the Pathway for the Supportive Learning Environment Students Need To Succeed.”

PROGRAM and BREAKOUT SESSION LISTING

7:15-8:00 AM   Registration/Pick up Folder and Conference

Session One 8:00-9:05 AM 

Character Based Strategies to Neutralize Bullying   Room 224

Dr. Steve Birchak, College of St. Rose, Albany, NY, author and member of Academy Leadership Board.

Dr Birchak will illustrate through his use of wit and example how to transform your classroom culture into an oasis of cooperation, civility and responsible behavior.

How to Create a School of Character Room 105

New York State School of Character: Van Schaick Island School, Cohoes, NY, Jacqueline DeChairo, Raeann Mokey and Kristie Calderon  Participants will learn strategies, skills and concrete lessons inherent to improving your school culture and performance.

Lighting the Fire Within: Act with Respect Always Room 101

Rich Johns, Saratoga Springs, NY

A teacher and coach promote self awareness on a daily basis though his Act with Respect Always-program to teach students and staff to evaluate their own character, recognize its impact on others, and strive to develop positive person character traits in school and life.

 Implementing Core Values at the Building Level to Support a School Culture that Models Good Character Room 104

Casey Kosiorek and Carol Messura, School administrators, Wolcott Street School, Le Roy, New York.

This presentation will introduce the Core Values Focus Approach for all segments of your school population to breed success in academics and all aspects of your school culture. Video clips, role playing and practical examples will be utilized in this presentation.

Session Two 9:15-10:20 AM

Using Data Profiling to Develop Your School Climate and Academics Room 104

Dr.  Bruce Crowder and Mr.  Scott Crowder- Educational Vistas, Inc.

"EVI will demonstrate an on-line database system to manage both State reporting requirements in regard to VADIR/DASA and to facilitate the implementation of a Character Ed.curriculum. The`Program’s ability to warehouse all relevant and required data allows for a baseline to be identified to assess growth, gap, trend, and longitudinal analysis  that drive the process. Internal district reports assist educators in improving the culture of learning by reducing disruptive behavior."

Service Learning- The Pathway to Creating a Culture of Empathy Room 105

NYSSOC School Presentation: Jackie Hoffman and Cyndi Heron, Chatham Middle School, Chatham, NY, 2011 National School of Character.  

This session will illustrate how to create a culture of empathy by utilizing service learning as a strategy to engage students and faculty.

Cyber Safety Night-A How to Guide Room 224

Elementary School Principal Joe Palmer and Library Media Specialist Laurie Alden, Harrison Avenue Elementary School, South Glens Falls, NY. 

In a recent study 58% of students admitted to being bullied on line. The presenters will share strategies and tips on how to plan and implement a successful community wide Cyber Safety Informational Evening aimed at cyber safety for all students.

Be a Good Sport: The Advancement of Character Education through Sport and Physical Education

 Room 101

Constantine Psimopoulos, The Sage Colleges Center for the Advancement of Character Through Sports at The Academy for Character Education.  and Dionyssis Gangas, Director of International University Relations of the International Olympic Academy (IOA)

Sport is about values, about participation, about fair play, about building character. Using the educational ideal from the Olympic spirit the presentation will demonstrate how to develop a character education program through sport.

10:30- 10:45- Introductions: Dr. John Walko, Dr. Lori Quigley

10:45-11:00 Anti Bullying Proclamation

Dr. Philip Fusco, Assistant Director at The Academy, coordinator for Stand Up for Character- Down to Bullying Initiative, Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive, and John McDonald III, Mayor of Cohoes 

11:00-12:00 KEYNOTE SPEAKER – GYMNASIUM

Phil Catania: Developing Student Performance Character “Reaching the Mountain Top”

 Phil Catania is considered to be one of the most dynamic speakers on character education. He is recognized most as a National School of Character Award Winning Principal from Maryland. He will discuss strategies and provide practical examples you can use for embracing Performance Character as a Curriculum Strategy.  He will help you learn how creative use of Performance character can pave the way for that needed Bump in your Students academic effectiveness.  Phil is a member of the Academy’s Leadership Board.

12:00 -12:15 School Chorus-GYMNASIUM Queensbury S D   

4th Grade Chorus from Warrensburg Elementary School directed by Song Writer/Teaching Artist Brian Chevalier with special assistance from music teacher Sheryl Davey, school social worker Kate Mortsiff and music teacher Danielle Brand.

12:15- 1 PM Lunch, Networking, Book Signing, Academy Program and Evaluations with Mel Horowitz, Assistant Director -  

SESSION THREE 1:10-2:15 PM

Overcoming Bullying and Chronic Rejection  Room 224

Jesse Saperstein, author of Atypical: Life with Asperger’s

Jesse chronicles the trials and tribulations he confronted and the strategies he used to overcome the challenges bullying and regular rejection presented during his youth.   As Sigourney Weaver states Jesse Saperstein is “funny, irreverent, and ultimately forgiving of all of the damage we ‘well-adjusted’ typical wreak on those who are a little different from us.”

Sense and Civility: The Framework for Dignity for All Students Room 104

Joan Monk, Yorktown Heights, NY, Member of Academy’s Leadership Board.

This presentation centers upon the concept and teaching strategies and historical examples focusing on Civility It discusses the 4 keys to restore civility. It also details a strategy to create an action plan that links civility with the Dignity for All Students Act.

Building a Character Based Supportive Learning Environment: Panel Discussion on Practical Strategies to Confront the Challenges to Changing School Culture Room 105

Dr. Philip Fusco and Bonnie Misch, The Academy for Character Education, Moderators;

Karen Moretti, Waterloo; Gordon Fitting, Chatham; Eric Friedman, Babylon; Michael Bruno & Kevin Bracht, Uniondale, Casey Kosiorek & Carol Messura, Leroy CSD

Restoring Dignity for All Students-The Sage Colleges ALLIES Safe Zone Project   Room 101

Jill Grebert, Student Life Administrator, The Sage Colleges.

This interactive session will introduce participants to the strategy addressing those who feel oppressed by discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, bias incident and hate crimes. It outlines a strategy for developing a network of like-minded community members who are prepared to assist students and staff who are in need.

SESSION FOUR 2:25-3:30 PM

The Dignity for All Students Act: Sharing Plans for implementation and Outlining the relationship to Character Education Room 101

John Fredrick, Legislative Coordinator, NYS Comm. John King’s Office, and Larry Paska

Presenters will discuss implementation of DASA and its relationship to character education.

Mentoring Initiative at Walnut Street School, Uniondale, New York, 2011 National School of Character Room 224

NYSSOC School Presentation: Mike Bruno, classroom teacher and Kevin Bracht, Assistant Principal

This presentation will illustrate how their mentor program by engaging a community partner became an integral part of Walnut Street’s character initiative.

Bullying Prevention and Education: A Middle School Program in Action Room 105

Jill Penn, Mike Nichter, Melissa Moskov and Stacy Beattie, Sand Creek MS, So. Colonie CSD, Colonie, NY. Presenters will provide an overview of the steps they have taken to improve their school climate through implementation of their Bullying Prevention Program that relies on commitment, data driven decisions action plan implementation, monitoring and adjusting.

Conflict is Essential- Combat is Optional: Discipline and Dignity Room 104

National Trainer Diane Sheehan, Binghamton, NY; Newport, Rhode Island.

This is a multimedia presentation  illustrating how the proactive sell controlled teacher can learn how to avoid the debate bait- how to eliminate warnings and multiple requests, increase academics, decrease discipline challenges, gain parent support and empower all educators awhile building  a constructive culture with dignity in your classroom. This presentation demonstrates timeless techniques that can be used in any classroom the next day.   

 3:30-4:00 ROUND TABLE SHARING GROUPS

(1)Elementary School, (2) Middle School, (3) High School & (4) Administrators