Character & Excellence
Brain Dump
● Whatisgood?
● Whatgivesyoupause?
● Whatareanyotheroverarchingquestionsyou havecomingintotoday?
5 Whys
Askyourselfwhy?Whydidyoucomeheretoday? Why? Why? Why? Why?(findourrootcause/meaning)
Alignment
● Mission
Toofferanexceptionaleducationintentionallycraftedforboys Pre-Kindergartenthrough8thgrade.
● Vision
Educatingboysforlifeandpreparingeachyoungmantofulfillhisnoble purpose.
● Motto BEHONEST.BEKIND.BETHEBESTYOUCANBE.®
● PortraitofanAcademyBoy Scholarship,Leadership,Integrity,Brotherhood
State of Enhancement - February 1
SanAntonioAcademybelievesstudentsthrivewhenthey areknown,valued,andsupportedtogrowintotheirbest self.AspartofourongoingworktobringourPortraitof anAcademyBoyandourschoolmotto-BeHonest,Be Kind,andBetheBestYouCanBe©-tolife,weare introducinganumericalCharacterandExcellence (Conduct)grade.
What this means for our students
Allstudentswillbegineachweekwitha“100%”inCharacterandExcellence, reflectingourassumptionthateveryboyiscapableofmeetingourstandards. ThestandardsusedformeasuringCharacterandExcellenceareidentified,clear, objective,andwillbeexplainedtotheboys.Ifexpectationsarenotmet,a numericaldeductionwillbeappliedconsistentlyandtransparently.This approachreinforcesintegrity,teachesthatactionshaveweight,andpositionsour teachersascoachesofcharacter-supportingboysastheylearn,correct,and grow.
Gradesareresetweekly,givingstudentsafreshstartwhilealsoensuringfaculty havetheopportunitytoprovidethestudent/familyimmediateandhonest feedback.
The7BehaviorsofFocus
1. Engaged&Goal-Oriented(Off-TaskorDistracted)
2. Proactive&Ready(Unprepared)
3. ConstructiveParticipation(MildDisruption)
4. Professional&OpenDemeanor(Disrespectful Tone/BodyLanguage)
5. MindfulDigitalCitizenship(InappropriateUseofTech)
6. InterpersonalRespect(DisrespecttowardPeers/Adults)
7. Inclusive&Collaborative(ExclusionaryBehavior)
Why are these important?
Withoutstrongexecutivefunction,individuals maystrugglewithdisorganization,forgetfulness, anddifficultymanagingemotionsorimpulses, makingithardertofunctionindependentlyor collectively.
What we are doing
1. Clearexpectations
2. Daytodaytracking
3. Facultytostudentfeedback
4. Gradelevelteachdiscussions
5. Studentselfevaluationandreflection
6. Identificationofskillstraining
Skillls
SampleofInstructionalContentSkills
Executive Functioning
SampleCharacterandEducationSkillsContent
Engaged&Goal-Oriented (Off-TaskorDistracted)
● Icanrecognizewhenmyattentionshiftsawayfromthetask.
● Icanidentifywhatisdistractingme(peer,device,thoughts,environment).
● Icanuseastrategy(deepbreath,timer,movement,refocusphrase)toreset.
● Icanbeginworkwithinoneminuteofdirectionsbeinggiven.
● Icanbreakassignmentsintosmallerstepsandcompleteonestepatatime.
● Icansetashort-termgoalforaworkblockandmonitormyprogress.
● IcanreflectonwhetherImetmygoalandadjustmystrategynexttime.
How does this translate in life?
SanAntonioAcademy:3-8thgrade (ModeledandEmerging)
Engaged&Goal-Oriented (Off-TaskorDistracted)
Proactive&Ready (Unprepared)
ConstructiveParticipation (MildDisruption)
Professional&OpenDemeanor (DisrespectfulTone/BodyLanguage)
MindfulDigitalCitizenship (InappropriateUseofTech)
InterpersonalRespect (DisrespecttowardPeers/Adults)
Inclusive&Collaborative (ExclusionaryBehavior)
HighSchoolMeasurement (Guided)
SkillArea
Completionof"ExitTickets"andmeetingincremental projectdeadlinessetbytheteacher.
Comingtoclasswithachargedlaptop,notebooks,and requiredreadingsoutonthedesk.
Participationpointsforraisingahandoranswering"cold calls."
Observationsofbodylanguageandtoneduring interactionswithstaffandadministration.
Adherenceto"AcceptableUsePolicies"(AUP); monitoringofschool-issueddevicesandlearning managementsystems.UsageincompliancewithHonor Code.
Behavioralreferralsor"Citizenship"gradesonreport cards;conflictresolution.Honorcodeviolationsand councilreviews.Alternativeeducationplacement. Suspension(s).
Teacher-assignedrolesingroupwork(e.g.,"Leader," "Scribe")withasharedgroupgrade.Characterexclusion policyreviewfordisciplinaryaction.
CollegeandBeyondMeasurement (Self-Directed)
Degreeauditsandmeetinglong-termmilestonesin independentresearchorcapstoneprojects.
Engagementwith"OfficeHours"andseekingtutoring beforeafailinggradeoccursinaterm.
SocraticSeminargradesor"DiscussionBoard" requirementswherepostsmustcitepeer-reviewed sources.
"FitnessforProfession"evaluationsandadherence.
AcademicIntegrityhearingsregardingAIusage, "Netiquette"inonlineforums,andyourpublicLinkedIn presence.
Professionalreputationamongfaculty/peers;abilityto navigatehigh-stakesdisagreementswithoutintervention.
Multi-directionalpeerevaluationsand360-degree feedbacktoolsthatimpactindividualpromotion.
San Antonio AcademyYoung Men of Character & Excellence