Our school has been a dedicated adopter of Honorable Character since 2012. We used to use those red, yellow, green STOP sign clip charts until we switched to HC. HC changed the culture of our entire school. No longer were children trying to stay out of trouble but they were looking for ways to serve and show kindness to their peers. The teachers who use it faithfully and provide feedback to parents do not have any classroom management issues.
We have expanded the program a bit for our school. During chapel, we highlight one to two traits and discuss them and memorize the scripture that goes with it. Also, teachers award each child at the end of the year with an Honorable Character award. Teachers also vote for 3 lower school and 3 upper school students to receive an Honorable Character medallion based on Faith, Honor, and Service. We do not do Honor Roll awards or perfect attendance awards. We only want to highlight and honor Christ-like character. We also have yard signs that we have given to students. Many HOAs will allow for a "my child is a xyz at abc school" and it has doubled as a way to market the school to our neighbors!
As a teacher at Haltom Christian School, Honorable Character has played a huge role in the growth of my students in so many ways. Honorable Character encourages students to reflect on their actions and gain a better understanding of the mentality behind their behavior. My students have not only learned these honorable traits in the classroom, but have even taken them home to their families. My students understand exactly what I mean when I tell them they are showing honesty, cooperation, obedience, diligence, responsibility, or any of the other many honorable character traits. Furthermore, this guide to character allows the student to reflect on their actions through the eyes of Christ. Jesus practiced these behaviors perfectly and He is our everyday example of how we should act. My students and I love Honorable Character!
As an administrator of a Christian private school in its second year of fruition, our mission is to nurture fruitful followers of Christ. The Honorable Character system has proven to be an invaluable resource in the achievement of this mission. In just a few short weeks, teachers notice the behavioral changes in the classroom with HC. With prayer and time, a true heart change begins to unfold in the students. There is no behavior management system comparable to Honorable Character!
I have observed the benefits of the Honorable Character system, both as teacher and parent. Students will quickly understand the clearly stated character qualities shown on the classroom chart and are either self-motivated or else group-motivated to align their words and actions accordingly. When a student's good character is observed, it is immediately acknowledged and the child is encouraged toward greater character development. Negative words and actions are dealt with as misuse of positive character traits in efforts to assist children to make better future choices. Honorable Character contributes greatly to the classroom atmosphere allowing maximum learning to occur.
Our school has used the Honorable Character since 2012. By combining positive reinforcement and scripture, our students learn their self-esteem is not dependent upon their behavior but in Christ's love for them.
This has really made a big difference in our household. It’s allowed us, as parents, to take the emotion out of poor behavior choices and put the responsibility back on our children. I highly recommend you give this a try in your household if you haven’t yet!
As a teacher, I accompanied a group of HIGH-ENERGY middle school boys to a week-long competition at the United States Space Academy in Huntsville Alabama.
The group of boys competed as a team during a week packed with firsthand future space travel experiences and faced opportunities to solve technically challenging anomalies during a mock space mission. On the fourth day of the competition, their camp counselor approached me with tears in her eyes.
Alarmed, I wondered if these outgoing middle school boys were causing a problem. To my relief, the camp counselor smiled and said, "There is something different about this group!" The next day, this team was awarded the 'BEST MISSION' award, the highest honor given during the week-long camp. This award was based on the team's application of the math and science skills plus their CHARACTER throughout the week!
Since these boys grew up with the HONORABLE CHARACTER System in school, I hung their team picture on the wall as a reminder that ALL students, even those more likely to need correction, can thrive with the HONORABLE CHARACTER Classroom Management System.
Both our adult son and daughter attended a school that used Honorable Character. I hang out with other alumni moms and we all agree that Honorable Character left indelible positive prints on our grown loved ones. I can tell when I have conversations with my own that I can use one or more of the 14 character traits and we share a common deep 'knowing'. Just an example from our daughter in first grade. They had a sub one day. I asked, 'how'd that go?'. She replied, well the sub wasn't as graceful as our teacher. I thought how interesting that a first grader would know that, yes indeed her teacher is a graceful lady. My daughter replied, no mom, the sub didn't give us as much grace as Mrs. Martin. Our son in the IT field has had to interface with many professionals that are not as 'tech verbal' as the younger generation. It serves him well that he knows how to show honor, cooperation, initiative and respect when in a boardroom meeting. So my point is not that student just learn the traits, the spelling, how they manifest but the knowledge goes much deeper. Students who will become adults are learning what character looks like in themselves and in others. Honorable Character is a tool that brings recognition in the classroom. In life it brings reputation and joy much later down the road. In person, online or homeschool educational settings will never regret using the Honorable Character teacher tool.
I wish our school would implement Honorable Character. It has a way of not only training the students, but the teachers as well! I have been taught by Honorable Character, through years teaching under Vicki Vaughn in the Honorable Character system, how to increase good in kids by calling out the great things in them instead of picking out every little issue. It trains you, as the adult, to see the GOOD, and in turn, it opens your eyes to see your kids/students the way God sees them. I will be working to see if our private school will implement this excellent system. I am so thankful for the way this changed ME as an educator and Mom to 6 boys!
Amazing system that goes BEYOND the classroom! We use this at home with our children and incorporate it into our daily lives! So beneficial and a way children (and adults) can see how their behavior, actions, and character can influence the world around them! HIGHLY recommend!!!
I learned about Honorable Character when I began teaching. I soon began using it at home with the same great results. Now my children are using it with their children. I highly recommend Honorable Character!
Being a long-time classroom teacher, I have always known that an environment for children that is dependable, trustworthy and loving helps children perform better and feel successful.
But, it is a much higher achievement to create this healthy environment through the teaching of biblical character traits: forgiveness, honor, perseverance, diligence, kindness, etc. It builds to a lifetime process of brain health and maturity and work ethic that can never be reached without a deep understanding of what God's character is and who He is.
In the exercise of striving to please God, parents, teachers and peers and by focusing on these honorable traits, success is then achievable in the face of inevitable trials and difficulties that prevent security and heart and brain health. Children who feel scared, bullied, or intimidated because they are different or don't feel they have a place ... in those moments, begin an inner dialogue of self-shaming. “Honorable Character” changes the inequality of the classroom for students and remarkably illumines a noticeable hunger to grow and be recognized for character and to approve others in their work to grow honorably. With this focus on character traits instead of their differences, there is the welcome consequence of a rise in academic success. In addition to the immense pleasure of being allowed to teach under these conditions, I am grateful for how it effects my own need for growth and maturity.
You don’t realize how much a character system will change the environment of your home until you have something as valuable as Honorable Character in place. Our whole family is refreshed, renewed, and peaceful! Having structure and boundaries, all based on positive character traits, has been a lifestyle change I pray transforms little hearts in our home. And the team at HC is amazing. They spent so much time chatting with me on Zoom to help me implement HC into our home and gave me the tools I need to not be a nagging mom, but a peaceful mom.
At a time when our society is clearly lacking in respect for others and in honoring authorities either in the home, at work, in schools or in government, Honorable Character (HC) has a timely program to help teach and train young people in positive character traits, both at home and in the school classroom.
HC has a proven track record of success with its home version and its classroom management system for teachers, since it was first established in the mid-1980’s, and its excellent stewardship over donor funds and sales revenue is noteworthy! HC is truly an international phenomenon that is destined to make a difference in our world by making it a better place for all!