24th Annual Community of Caring K-12 National Character Education Conference - July 28-30, 2008 in Salt Lake City, UT
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Avis Glaze
Click here to see her presentation.
2008 National Conference Slideshow
Reflections:
Sarasota County Schools are taking the initiative to add several schools each year to the Community of Caring program. I was fortunate enough to acquire the Lead Teacher position at McIntosh Middle School and attend the yearly conference in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah.
While the conference was well organized and committee members very accommodating, I believe they succeeded at what I can only assume, was to create enthusiasm in the program and encourage us (Lead Teachers) to take off with the program. I feel the structure of the Conference was well-suited to our needs and schedules. The workshops were engaging and gave us much needed assistance in how to create and maintain our own programs. I have used the "Ice Breaker" activities in my classes and have had much success with the students in their bonding.
What I appreciate most about Community of Caring, is not so much the Character Education piece, but the concept of changing the entire culture of our school. We preach the five Core Values in all classes and have dedicated a portion of our Morning News Program every day to Community of Caring. With a five day school week, we practice one core value every day. Coming from the kids on the News Crew is very effective.
While we new to the Community of Caring program, I already see measured improvement in the behavior of our students. As you travel down our halls, you will feel the "family" culture of caring at McIntosh Middle School with teachers and students. It's a great program and I look forward to the school year.
-Jeri Cocchi, Teacher, McIntosh Middle School, FL
The Community of Caring Conference in Salt Lake City was great to be a part of. I was able to attend workshops that told me how to market my program and how to work with community members to make it a success. I also got many ideas on how to convince other faculty members to jump on board. I was able to network with other teachers during lunches and at night. I'm looking forward to going to Florida and bringing some of my ideas that have worked and hearing what others have to share.
-Betsy Galbraith, Teacher, Mount Ogden Junior High, Ogden, UT
This year I was able to attend the National Community of Caring Conference as a PTA Representative. During the upcoming school year I will be the parent liaison for Community of Caring at Mount Ogden Junior High. Going to the conference gave me a lot of insight to the Community of Caring Program and why it was established and why it's beneficial to schools. I attended the many workshops that gave me great ideas for things I can do and help with at the Junior High. I recommend that more schools send parent representatives to the conference.
-Kristi DeHaan, PTA Representative, Mount Ogden Junior High, Ogden, UT
2008 National Conference Awards
2008 Community of Caring Outstanding School Award
Colonia High School, Colonia, NJ
2008 Community of Caring Outstanding Adult Advocate Award
Kathy Hill, President, Parent Teacher Association, Upper Merion Area Middle School, King of Prussia, PA
2008 Community of Caring Outstanding Lead Teacher Award
Judith Gotham, Lincoln Middle School, Syracuse, NY
2008 Community of Caring Outstanding Student Award
Allison Kamm, Skyline High School, Salt Lake City, UT
2008 Community of Caring Outstanding Administrator Award
Richard Moody, Supervisor, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Prince George’s County, MD
2008 Community of Caring Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Philip Brown, Director, Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ