On 5 November, YK Pao School held a character education summit as part of a series of events celebrating its tenth anniversary. The event featured two special guests. The first was Dr Thomas Lickona, a U.S. character education expert. He is a developmental psychologist and professor of education at the State University of New York at Cortland, where he directs the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs (respect and responsibility). The second special guest was Tan Chuanbao, a professor of education, doctoral programme advisor, and director of the Center for Citizenship and Moral Education at Beijing Normal University.
Also attending the event were education experts, parents, and Pao teachers. In total, more than 300 people attended the forum. During the forum, there were character-education workshops with role-playing. Pao School parents involved in character education, Pao teachers and psychologists all participated.
At the beginning of the forum, Pao School co-founder Philip Sohmen noted that grades are just one way to evaluate a student’s excellence. Cultivating the character of students is important too, he said, pointing out Pao School focuses on whole-person education, of which character education is a foundation.
Later in the forum, Dr Lickona discussed how to develop a character-education programme, including the ten things every teacher can do, and the four things every school can do. He noted that according to research, if attention is not given to character at work, corruption can develop, and people will behave selfishly. This part of Dr Lickona’s speech surprised the audience and made everyone stop and think.
Further, Dr Lickona noted that good character determines our ability to love, to be honest and perform well in the workplace. Excellent character is important for developing excellent talent, he said. For students, character education is an opportunity to learn how better handle a variety of situations and improve relations with others, he added.
There are many different ways to cultivate character, Dr Lickona said. It is important to practice character education, as good character develops from habit. It is important to report doing good things, to the extent that the behaviour becomes natural.
Most importantly, Dr Lickona said, is the collaboration of family and school in the endeavour of character education. Results are best when teachers have the support of parents, and vice versa. That provides for an immersive character-education environment, he said.
Serena Shen, Director of Campus Culture, said the speeches by Dr Lickona and Professor Tan helped to broaden one’s vision, and reinforced the importance of education. The ultimate goal of education is to develop the whole person, she said.
Shane Vey, Director of Pastoral Care, noted that since Pao School was founded, it has focused on whole person-education and character education has been a key part of it. ‘Character education can help students build skills and be successful in the future’, he said. ‘Students need to learn to face success and failures correctly. Thanks to the efforts of Pao parents, teachers, and story teams, Pao School is now a pioneer of character education’.
