I just had the honor of presenting a new workshop called The Seven Noble Tasks with my colleague, Amanda Deedon. The workshop shows how we can develop character
in adolescents and teens. The program fosters resilience, perseverance, caring, and other important characteristics these students will need as they move into adulthood. During the year, the students are given the opportunity to complete seven tasks that challenge them physically, emotionally, and academically. In conquering these obstacles, the students are better equipped to face the challenges they will encounter as they enter adulthood.
The success our students find in completing these tasks has helped build community, diminished behavioral issues, increased academic success, and allowed us to connect with our students in a powerful, personal, and successful way.
The really interesting thing is this; the workshop was hosted by my former school, Oroville High. Any of my former teachers would not have me on their short list of alumni to invite back to speak about character, but I was honored to try to undo some of the damage I did in a former century. Oddly enough, the librarian still works there forty years later. He used to kick me out on a daily basis, and here I am back again. When I arrived, I checked in at the office, and they asked me to take a seat on the bench. Yes, it was the same bench I had occupied many times before, but this time I can honestly say, “It wasn’t my fault!” It was a both a humbling experience and an honor to return to the old halls from the teacher’s perspective and help my fellow educators address the important issues that face our students.
This spring, the book The Seven Noble Tasks will be available. It describes the entire year-long program we implement at our school. In the meantime, I have posted a chapter of the book for your holiday enjoyment. Go to our “Free Activities” tab and download the chapter now.
Merry Christmas,
Brad
The success our students find in completing these tasks has helped build community, diminished behavioral issues, increased academic success, and allowed us to connect with our students in a powerful, personal, and successful way.
The really interesting thing is this; the workshop was hosted by my former school, Oroville High. Any of my former teachers would not have me on their short list of alumni to invite back to speak about character, but I was honored to try to undo some of the damage I did in a former century. Oddly enough, the librarian still works there forty years later. He used to kick me out on a daily basis, and here I am back again. When I arrived, I checked in at the office, and they asked me to take a seat on the bench. Yes, it was the same bench I had occupied many times before, but this time I can honestly say, “It wasn’t my fault!” It was a both a humbling experience and an honor to return to the old halls from the teacher’s perspective and help my fellow educators address the important issues that face our students.
This spring, the book The Seven Noble Tasks will be available. It describes the entire year-long program we implement at our school. In the meantime, I have posted a chapter of the book for your holiday enjoyment. Go to our “Free Activities” tab and download the chapter now.
Merry Christmas,
Brad
RSS Feed
