who should teach "character"??

i think as teachers the level of parenting associated with character education has fallen on the schools (i.e. read as teachers) themselves. I have parents to this day that think that their kids are getting picked on by me (their pre-AP english teacher) because I make them responsible for their own actions/work by having deadlines and making them use planners.

I think that as public figures we are responsible for being good role models through our words and actions matching our deeds. I also see that we must also work with the families of our players/students to create a culture of character.

I'd like to answer "D; all of the above." It is the job of the parent to teach character. But is it also the job of the football coach, principal, teacher, crossing guard (or whatever else). In a perfect world, even he



would be a SELF PROCLAIMED role model.

In reality, not everyone is a role model that teaches quality character to our young men. That doesn't mean that everyone shouldn't be teaching it everyday.

Most players are not getting it a home and I can make them a better player and more importantly a beter person by teaching it, so I do it!!

Modeling it is huge and it has to be modeled to be effective, but I think you also have to teach it. IMO, If I have students come into my class and I just read to them everyday, they will not learn to read, but if I teach them the building blocks of letters and phonics, and I read to them, that is when they become readers. If their parents are doing the samething at home, even better.

joelee,
This is a great point, it has helped me get my last 2 jobs and has seperated me from other coaches!!

I agree, parents and dad's should teach character and coaches should be examples.

However, from my experiences, in many cases either these things are not being taught at home (for various reasons) or the lessons are taking (for many, many reasons). Either way, more and more each day, we (coaches) are going to have to teach character to our players and it will either be teaching them character or reinforcing what they've already heard from home.

Many of us deal with situations where more of our players than not don't have a father at home or that father figure isn't a good remodel. IMO, we need to evaluate our own situations and make our own decision on what our young men need. My plan is to actively "teach" character, consistently reinforcing those lessons, and modeling them.

They say that it takes a village to raise a child so would that make it all of our jobs?

I like the fact that joelee said "It is mv job to teach character" He steps up and takes responsibility wether it is his child or not and not many people would do that. I say bravo to those who take this responsibility.

Everyone involved with that child. The parents are the most important element but teachers, coaches, etc are very much a part of the equation. Trying to pretend otherwise hurts the kid.

I guess it depends on your state brophy. In Arizona we are a Character Counts/Pursuing Victory with Honor state and the character education is built into our curriculum as social studies teachers. We as coaches in Arizona are also required to take Pursuing Victory with Honor courses every two or three years so and to "exemplify the ethics of sportsmanship, honor, and compassion." I do beleive most of us are trying to answer the question and getting the PC answers out of the way early allows for more frank discussions later on, as you probably know.

amen.

oy vey

There are many responders who feel we should model it. I agree with that of course. I don't think anybody would argue that we shouldn't be modeling many traits included in "character".

BUT......My point is to ask should we intentionally be teaching this stuff. AND If we do aren't we stepping over the boundaries. My point is that when my boys are old enough to be in activities, be it football or ballet , will I be receptive to an instructor trying to teach my boys traits of "character". I would like to think I will be doing a good job.

For those of you guys who TEACH traits of character, how do you justify it???

Have you ever had a father say something to the effect of "I'll teach my kid character, you teach him football."

I am very close to trying to include some character curriculum in our football program, but am having a hard time getting past this roadblock.

I appreciate all the responses, really. I just want to focus your attention to this specific issue.

word.

I think this is what comes down to making it 'elective', where if you DO decide to take part in "CHARACTER" building activities, you are willingly taking on some responsibilities (to learn).

To me, I really look at this like a catechism-eque curriculum.
"hey, we are going to do X, Y, and Z" to benefit other people and do the RIGHT THING. You can talk all you want about what real character is, but if you never DO anything, what really sinks in?

I think this comes down to an off-season thing.

1) Be in the weight room....put the time in....do it correctly (that is half of the character stuff right there).

2) show up to our team building activities
(just become part of the group....belong to what the GROUP [not self] is doing = selflessness)

3) Offer a 'classroom' opportunity to explore subject matter of what it takes to be a leader / character.
(open dialogue of problems and issues)

4) Involve your kids TOGETHER to be involved in the community.
(meals on wheels, concessions, conducting camps, volunteering = an opportunity to showcase behavior)

5) Reward those that get involved
(If you involve yourself in these unsexy tasks, you have a bigger stake in the team just like share holders. You can have stock in a company, but if you don't have controlling shares, you don't really have any say it what goes on.)


I believe what bulldogoption is bringing up is NOT role-modelling, but holding your players to a curriculum or else....

Where, you take my leadership training or you are not playing.

Is that really the REQUIREMENT for playing time?
Is that really a requirement for a coach to provide?

I think one could argue that on some level this is not much different than requiring your players wear a suit and tie to away games or what not.....you may not WANT to, but as a MEMBER of our unit, you have to conform to our way of doing things. Our way of doing things involves doing _______.

Character without action is simply lollipop rhetoric.

Now, specifically to bulldogoption's specific question of "stepping on toes"--- well, I don't know. If you want to get offended, you can always find a way.
Secondly, many parents WANT you to get after their kids. That is the reason why the support the sport because it instills something greater than you could teach anywhere else.

Lastly, WHAT is 'character'? How are we defining it?

IMO, "character" is going to be VERY different from staff to staff. You can't teach/preach what you don't already do. Each staff will have some unique values/principles that they use in their lives. This can be taught to the players.

The last thing I want to do is be a hypocrite to my players.

It is Dad and Mom's responsibility, but everyone in relationship with anyone should teach and help folks towards good character...of course in this day we have to make sure of what "good character" means.
Grace Alone,
Greg

Yes.

I guess it comes down to the question of "Why do you coach?"

I coach because
#1) A coach made my life a little more meaningful in HS.
#2) I love football.

In order for me to make an impact like my coach did to me, I need to try and meet as many needs for them as I can without sacrfising my own faith/family.

I believe that one way that I can do that is to give them emotional/pyschological tools of life (what I consider character) that will improve their cahnces of being more succesfful in the short run (football season) and the long run (life).

What do I consider character?
Anything that you can justify as tool of life. These are the tools that I choose that talk about. I tell my kids that if they...
1. Do what is right. (Is this decision legal, best for my physical health, and best for my family/team, then do it)
2. Make hard work a habit academically, athletically, and socially.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
and try to live with
Influence, Integrity, Attitude, Communication Skills, Courage, Sacrifise, Goal Setting, Servant Hood, and vision.
Do this and you still will have dissapointment in life, but the chances are greatly increased that you will have many, many more successes in life than failures.

How do I justify this curriculum to a parent?
I tell them the truth, everyone of these traits helps us when football games.

IMO, I guess it comes down to why you coach. If you are coaching to make life better in some small way for your players, how can you not have a curriculum to teach them some tools that will increase their chances of success.