GCU EDU-330 T2 Personal Virtues

My name is Max McBreer and as an aspiring educator currently preparing to enter the field, I spent a lot of time reflecting on the kind of environment I want to build for my future students. So according to the GCU character education, the virtues that we embody as teachers are what truly set the stage for student success. So today I want to discuss the personal virtues that I aim to bring into my future classroom and how they align with the concept of IMO day and some of the specific research strategies that I plan to use to foster that character formation in my future students. So as I look forward to my teaching career, I've identified four key virtues, one from each of the domains that I believe will be foundational to my work. So in the civic domain, I've chosen service, which to me means entering the profession of teaching with a student first heart and basically the dedication to the well-being of my classroom, the kids, and the whole school community. And for the moral domain, I've chosen courage. I know in the future I'll need the strength to stand up for equity and to really advocate for my students needs even when it's challenging for them. and especially for myself. And regarding the performance domain, I've leaned towards determination, which I think will drive me to stay resilient and to keep searching for new ways to reach a student who might be struggling. And finally, in the intellectual domain, uh I chose critical thinking, which I think is essential for me to objectively look at and evaluate my own teaching methods and potential bias. I think together these four virtues will help me create an inclusive classroom where every student feels seen and supported. So my determination and critical thinking will ensure that I am constantly removing barriers to learning and to the classroom while my commitment to service and courage will ensure that every child regardless of their background or history knows that they have a teacher who is firmly in their corner. So as I develop my professional identity, I believe the virtues of compassion and integrity are the most critical to this future role. These virtues align perfectly with the concept of the mo day which is the belief that every person is created in the image of God and possesses the inherent worth, dignity, and potential. And by viewing my students through this lens, I recognize that their value isn't tied to a test score, behavior, or anything like that, but it's it's themselves. It's their humanity. So leading with compassion allows me to honor that dignity while practicing integrity ensures that I am consistent and trustworthy model for them. So when students feel that their inherent worth is recognized, they are empowered to take risks and grow and align their own character development with these same principles. So to me, character formation is the intentional journey of helping students develop the habits of heart and mind that lead to human flourishing. It's not just about following a set of classroom rules or instructions. It's about helping students become the best versions of themselves. So, and as noted by Dr. from Marvin Burkowitz in his research on primed character leadership. Uh character education is most effective when it is woven into the fabric of the school experience rather than just like a lesson for a week, a standalone lesson. To foster this, I plan to use two specific strategies in my future classroom. First, I want to implement what's called virtue literacy, which is naturally integrating the language of character into my curriculum. So for example, when we analyze say a protagonist in a novel or a leader in history, uh we can discuss the specific virtues that these characters displayed. And second, I want to use reflective circles. It's a practice where we take time as a classroom or community to recognize and celebrate moments where we saw the virtues that we're looking for like kindness or honesty in action. Uh this integrates character formation into our daily environment, making it a living part of our classroom culture. And finally, I understand that to be an effective mentor of character, I have to be committed to my ongoing development. So to further my growth, I plan to utilize a lot of resources and professional tools. I'd like to rely on the research um and the framework of character education provided by the Jubilee Center for Character and Virtues. Um it ensures that my approach is grounded in these proven methods. Uh I also plan to use the 11 principles assessment tool from character.org to evaluate uh my classroom culture as I want to begin my career. For my own personal reflection, I intend to continue reading the works of many authors like David Brooks and his the road to character. uh it really challenges me to focus on my internal growth as much as if not more as my professional achievement. So I think by seeking out training through character education and staying curious, I hope to enter the classroom not just as a teacher of subjects but as a dedicated builder of character. Thank you.