ELBERTA – In an era when test scores appear to be the only measure of a successful education, Elberta Middle School will implement a federally funded character development program that aims to shape students into responsible and respectful citizens. 

The ShowMe Character program, funded by a $2.1 million, four-year U.S. Department of Education grant, was first introduced in county schools in 2005 under the No Child Left Behind Act as a way to enhance a child’s moral and ethical background, creating a well-rounded personality. 

For the first year, the program was implemented in 16 schools, and it has expanded each year with over 30 schools currently participating. 

Elberta Middle will phase in its character development program this fall, and it is tailored to the needs of the school and surrounding community. 

Overall, the program seeks to:

-help students understand what good character is and how important it is.

-create a school climate conducive to students desiring good character. 

-create a school climate conducive to students demonstrating good character. 

In order to accomplish these goals, Elberta Middle’s school leadership team (SLT) - comprised of three teachers, the principle and school counselor, two parents and a character education coach – is nearly finished with the planning process and on the way to complete implementation. 

The SLT will help faculty and staff promote and foster character traits in not only the curriculum and classroom but throughout the entire student body. 

Carolyn Trapp, a retired teacher from Elberta Middle who is serving as the character education coach, believes that the ideal of shaping character can certainly translate into students becoming better citizens in the future. 

“It’s based on the concept that students…can demonstrate good character to become better citizens,” Trapp said, adding that the school will promote a “culture” and “climate” of responsible behavior. 

The SLT has developed a list of character traits that will be emphasized throughout the year, and each month will be devoted to a single trait in which students will participate in service projects related to the month’s aim. 

For this school year, the SLT decided to focus on shaping the following: responsibility, respect, self control and self discipline, citizenship, kindness and compassion, perseverance, acceptance, patience, honesty and trustworthiness, and sportsmanship. 

In September, for example, the school will promote “respect” with students developing a “respect for the environment” which will include a year long effort to promote recycling of mainly plastic bottles and paper and reducing and reusing the use of materials. 

“Let’s live it and show it,” said Angie McLean, school counselor, describing how the program’s aims become action.

In October, self control and self discipline will be stressed with anti-bullying at the top of the agenda.

The SLT will recommend lesson plans to faculty based on “ways to solve conflicts peacefully,” according to Trapp. 

The service project will take a different approach, focusing on those affected by individuals who lost control.

Faculty and students will collect toys, cell phones, and other needs for the Lighthouse in Robertsdale, which assists women and children in jeopardy.

McLean said that as students take the “initiative” in developing their own character, this will eventually “build leadership, which builds better citizens for the future.”

And Trapp noted: “We’re hoping that positive character will impact academics.”