Character Development
Definition:
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board values the following character
attributes:
Respect: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something
elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements
Responsibility: The state or fact of having a duty to deal with
something
Honest: Being truthful
Integrity: Adhering to moral and ethical principles
Empathy: Identification with, and understanding of, another’s
situation, feelings, and motives
Fairness: The state, condition, or quality of being fair, free from bias
or injustice
Initiative: The ability to assess and initiate things independently, to
act or take charge before others do.
Perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or
delay in achieving success
Courage: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face
difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear
Optimism: A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell
on the most hopeful aspects of a situation
What does this mean?
Character development is the deliberate effort to nurture the universal
attributes upon which communities agree. These attributes reflect a
forged consensus on the beliefs and values of families and
communities. They transcend socioeconomic, racial, religious,
cultural, gender and other factors that often divide people and
communities – (Finding Common Ground, Glaze, 2006)
Why is it important?
The character attributes foster an environment of trust and respect on
which effective organizations are built.
“Good character is when your head, heart, soul and hands agree to do
the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons and the
combined effort gets the right results in the midst of the most adverse
of conditions” – William Cottringer
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How can you develop it?
Respect: Being polite, courteous and caring. Valuing yourself and
others. Treating all people with dignity and upholding their rights.
Protecting property and our environment.
Responsibility: Being responsible for your thoughts, words and
actions. Being accountable for your choices. Admitting your mistakes
and working to correct them. Being dependable to honour your
commitments. Demonstrating active citizenship.
Honest: Being sincere, truthful and trustworthy.
Integrity: Behaving in an ethical and honourable manner even when
no one else is around. Being genuine, in that your actions consistently
match your words.
Empathy: Respecting the feelings of others. Seeking to understand
what others are thinking to appreciate their perspectives. Listening
and considering their views, even though you may not agree. Acting
with kindness and compassion.
Fairness: Being sensitive to the needs of individuals. Including others
and valuing their uniqueness. Celebrating diversity. Treating people
with the dignity and consideration with which you would like to be
treated. Gathering as much information as possible in order to make a
decision that is just.
Initiative: Being eager to do what needs to be done without being
prompted by others. Seizing opportunities and being willing to take
the steps necessary towards achieving a goal.
Perseverance: Finishing what you start even when it is difficult. Not
giving up when faced with challenges or obstacles. Completing all
tasks and assignments to the best of your ability.
Courage: Facing challenges directly. Speaking up for yourself and
others even when it may be unpopular. Asking for help when
necessary. Recognizing risks and dangers and not taking unwise
chances to please others.
Optimism: Having a positive attitude. Seeing challenges as
opportunities. Thinking, speaking and acting to make the world a
better place. Having hope for the future.
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