Question 1
Using research, the hot topics and the movie clips, discuss how you might foster or create a safe, moral and supportive community in the classroom?
Response:
In my own personal opinion, the key to foster or create a safe, moral, and supportive community in the classroom is to reflect on the character value lenses, thoroughly. I believed that a superficial understanding of all the character value lenses is not enough; instead, a teacher should have an in-depth reflection to one self. Ask yourself if you are much capable of fostering or creating such community in the classroom. Through it, you will create a smooth relationship with others, and that relationship will gain moral and supportive community, and safe enough.
The respect, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and self-knowledge or empathy is perfect for every human being. However, these character values would never be functional if the person does know about the effective character education. A good character education leads to a thick moral community. A thick moral community consists of rich tradition that shares how to see the world as a guiding formation of character.
Some argued that the principles of good character could be violated. For example, cheating or stealing; however, a person who did such violation will pay a price in the end. There are many principles involved such as honesty, respect, moderation in all things, love, service, and more. The stated principles are natural laws present to everyone, and everyone has a free will to know and do the good way or against the laws. In addition, nobody could escape from the negative consequences to happen. Just to clarify that, it is impossible for a person to break the law, it is only a person can break himself against the law.
Question 2
Which character value provides the best framework for you to personally address current issues students face and why?
Response:
For me, respect provides the best framework to address current issues students face in the community, in the school, and in the classroom, particularly. One of the issues most students experienced is bullying in the classroom. Respect is a powerful tool to change things for the best. Respect is not asked from anybody, respect is gained from others by respecting yourself first. Alternatively, if a person does not know how to respect others, he or she cannot gain respect too.
Respect is an easy word to say, however, it is difficult to put in action. Respect is a responsibility; a person that respects others is a noble one. The excellence on how you respect others is an excellence in a lifetime. A person who respects others regardless of status or personality, that person is a superstar. Respect is acted by positive people with positive outlook in life, and being enthusiastic to the things in the community can bring happiness to everyone. People who respect others are caring and trustworthy; if you care you are a wonderful person, and others will trust you sincerely.
Reference
Doyalt, D. (Director). (2011). The Respect Character Education Lesson by Dr. T [YouTube].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dyLc081B_0
Lickona, T. (1991). Educating for character: How our schools can teach respect and
responsibility. New York, NY: Bantam.
Lumpkin, A. (2008). Teachers as Role Models: Teaching Character and Moral Virtues. Joperd ,
79 (2), 45-49.
