MY HORSE, PIETRA, DIED TODAY

August 31st was the last day in the life of Pietra. I had talked about her everywhere! They knew her name in England, Antigua, Ireland, Russia and everywhere I went in the United States. A beautiful Arabian, she was good-looking and she knew it. She was placed third in the Land of Enchantment Classic, fourth in the State Championship Show – but she will always place first in my call!

She always called me when she saw me and could pick me out of a group of white headed men. She took correction well and wanted to please me more than anything. She knew trust, even when my fingers got in her mouth by mistake. She liked to pick on me with a large touch of friendliness. And, when I needed to scold her, which was very little, she would bring her velvet nostrils into the crest of my folded arm and hold them there. She liked to rest her chin on my head, and always smelled my aftershave. It only took her three seconds to know what pockets the treats were in.

Smart, I taught her voice command, to watch the movement of my shoulders, and to give herself to sensitive listening. I never used my reins and rode dressage. We were always in touch! When we cantered through the trees it was like we were one! She snorted to warn me when a pack of wild dogs were near. She knew how to get to my heart.

I was amazed that I owned a horse. I grew up in a poor family in Ireland and we raised horses for a living. More amazed, I owned Pietra. She taught me so many things. I never once discovered anything mean or vindictive about her. If horses go to heaven, Pietra is grazing at the feet of God.

Nat Cooper
 

YOU ASKED

The TADPOLE CLUB, what is that? Well, it is one of those refreshing things that come along once in a while. The Virtuous Reality Entertainment, an inventive company out of Los Angeles, CA has recently initiated the first web-based subscription assistance effort that pre-selects DVD award winning productions that are making a great ethical impact on children.

Are you a parent concerned about faith, truthfulness, gratefulness, kindness, determination, obedience, empathy, meekness, forgiveness, high esteem, bravery and endurance? Then this offering and service to parents is an absolute must! All these qualities are held to in a monthly offering to assist the parent in teaching these virtues to their children.

These presentations can be used to assist a parent in presenting to them a basis for exploration as they build their children into people who have an inner strength and who have learned to deal with the fortunes and misfortunes of life.

The Tadpole Club has received a coveted award: The Parents Television Councils Seal of Approval. This distinction only goes to films, videos and TV productions that uphold values needed in the preservation of any society. You will never find untrustworthy sexual content, vulgarity, or impressionable brutality in any of these productions.

As we watched a segment together my grandson, Niel, gave his approval when he said: “Papa Nat, these pictures talk about being a good person.” What could be better than a child’s recommendation!

PLEASE CONTACT:

Annemarie@virtuousrealityentertainment.com

Dr. Nat Cooper
Center for Character Development
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, Texas
 

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Honesty – (free from fraud and deception….fairness and straightforwardness of conduct)

1. Be willing to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

2. Truth has only to change hands a few times to become fiction: be very careful with it.

3. The most important person to be honest with is yourself.

4. Truth is not only stranger than fiction – it is often nowhere near as plentiful.

Reliability – (dependable – suitable or fit to be relied upon)

1. Reliability is when others CAN depend on us to show up on time, prepared and ready to do our work until the job is done.

2. Do others have faith in you? After all, faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.

3. Reliability is keeping our word and honoring our commitments.

4. The promises most likely to be broken are those we make to ourselves.

Integrity – (to live by a firm code of ethics…incorruptible)

1. A person of integrity consistently behaves according to firm convictions about right and wrong.

2. Joy is not in what we own…it is in what we are.

3. Always speak the truth and you’ll never be concerned about your memory.

4. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people read.

Loyalty – (faithful – unswerving in allegiance)

1. One who is loyal is faithful to others

2. The best antique is an old and loyal friend

3. One who is loyal will never betray a trust

4. Keep the secrets of those who trust you

QUOTES TO HELP YOU EXPLORE

“If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.” - Mary Pickford

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” Dolly Parton

“Honor wears different coats to different eyes.” - Babara Tuchman

“What distinguishes the majority of men from the few is their inability to act according to their beliefs.” – Henry Miller

“One must live the way one thinks or end up thinking the way one has lived.” – Paul Pourget
 

PARENTING: QUICK TIPS

Food for Thought…

Power struggles over eating can develop early and yet last a lifetime. It is normal for young children to have a decrease in appetite as their rate of growth slows. It is also normal for young children to begin learning to exert control over themselves through food issues. You can avoid years of frustrating dining hassles with young children by focusing on these reminders:

• Balance diet on a weekly, not daily basis
• Serve child-size helpings or allow your child to self-serve from a balanced menu
• Consider 5 or 6 mini-meals through-out the day for finicky eaters
• Abandon the “clean plate” system
• Offer repeated exposure to new foods
• Never equate eating well with being good
• Be aware of what YOU model about food choices
• Respect your child’s tastes without catering to them. Preferences may change next week!
• Use snacks wisely. Children need snacks; parents need to control what I offered, and when.
• Make mealtimes a pleasant family time; encourage children to stay at the table for companionship even if they don’t want to eat.

Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s eating habits, growth rate or health status.

Parenting Quick Tips
2000 Practical Parent Education. All Rights Reserved.

ETHICAL DILEMMAS
ELEMENTARY GROUPS

IF A TEACHER ASKS SEVERAL CHILDREN TO CLEAN UP A MESS, SHOULD I DO MY PART?

• WHY? OTHERS ARE DOING IT.
• IT WILL GET ME A BETTER GRADE.
• I DON’T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT OF FUN THINGS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
• I AM A RESPONSIBLE PERSON AND THAT’S HOW RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE BEHAVE.
• WORD MIGHT GET BACK TO MY MOTHER/DAD.

SOMEONE BUMPS INTO YOU. YOU WANT TO “PAY” THEM BACK. WHAT SHOULD I SAY/DO TO THEM.

• I SHOULD GIVE THEM A HATEFUL LOOK.
• I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH THEM.
• I SHOULD TELL OTHER CHILDREN WHAT THEY DID.
• I SHOULD THINK BEFORE I SAY ANYTHING TO THEM.
• I SHOULD GET OVER IT.

IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO DO NICE THINGS FOR PEOPLE.

• IT WILL GET THEM TO DO NICE THINGS FOR YOU.
• IT WILL MAKE THEM LIKE YOU IN A SPECIAL WAY.
• IT WILL SHOW YOU ARE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON.
• IT IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO NICE THINGS FOR PEOPLE.

IF I SHOULD MAKE A MESS...

• OTHERS SHOULD FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
• THE JANITOR WILL CLEAN IT UP.
• I SHOULD BE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON AND CLEAN IT UP, AFTER ALL, IT’S MY MESS.

IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP...

• I SHOULD WALK PAST. OTHERS WILL SEE THE NEED.
• I SHOULD NOT HELP, THAT’S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A BIGGER PERSON.
• I SHOULD RUN AND GET A BIGGER PERSON IF I CAN’T DO IT.
• I SHOULD FEEL COMPASSION AND ASSIST IN WHATEVER WAY I CAN.

NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT A THING IS...

• I SHOULD KEEP TRYING.
• I SHOULD GET OTHERS TO DO IT.
• I SHOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE THE EASY WAY, IT WILL GIVE ME MORE TIME TO PLAY.
• I SHOULD TRY, TRY, AND TRY AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I WANT TO PLAY, BUT I HAVE SCHOOL WORK TO DO...

• I SHOULD RUSH THROUGH MY SCHOOL ASSIGNMENTS.
• I SHOULD PUT IT OFF UNTIL LATER.
• I SHOULD COPY IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE, AND PLAY.
• I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE, SIT DOWN AND DO IT WELL AND THEN PLAY.

A GOOD PERSON IS....

• ONE YOU CAN TRUST.
• ONE WHO ALWAYS TELLS THE TRUTH.
• ONE WHO KEEPS HIS/HER PROMISES.
• ONE WHO IS ALWAYS LOYAL TO THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT.

IF YOU MAKE A PROMISE TO SOMEONE...

• YOU CAN BREAK IT AFTER THREE WEEKS.
• YOU CAN DO MOST OF IT, AND YOU WILL STILL HAVE KEPT YOUR WORD.
• YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO!

TRUSTWORTHINESS

THE CLIMATE AND INFUSION

THE CLASSROOM CULTURE:

CREATING AN ETHICAL CLASSROOM CULTURE


1. Demonstrate a spirit of loyalty to the school as an institution. Practice honesty with your administrators, faculty, the office staff, counselors, parents, and, those you teach daily.

2. Begin your day using the ethical atmosphere of trustworthiness in all you say, painting thoughts with words like loyalty and reliability.


3. Be honest in your conduct and words speaking only that which you intend to do, or promises you know are within your ability to keep. If circumstances change which are beyond your control extend to the staff, students, parents, and to all involved an ethical explanation. Refrain from excuses and blaming others. Apology is the fruit of earnestness in the trust value.

4. Be consistently honest in your words and actions. Speak only truth that is in line with honesty. In assisting people who will make decisions be open and honest. Don’t deceive with “word playing”. Be up front and give truthful information that make for the wisest decisions. Put who you claim to be into the words you speak.


5. Walk the ethical walk. Talk the ethical talk. Be behaviorally in line with your ethical walk and talk.

6. Establish in your classroom the rules and school policies, which demonstrate honesty, promise keeping, loyalty, and integrity.


7. Display character visibly in your teaching area. Have definitions and illustrations of trustworthiness, honesty, promise-keeping, loyalty, and integrity as reminders of classroom ethical behavior.

8. Compliment your students, not for specific things they do, but for their character. Point out that the things they do are an extension of inner qualities.


9. Have audible praise for students you see demonstrating character in the classroom. When possible give them tangible incentives.

10. Help students stay sensitive to character qualities by inviting them to recite, describe, or demonstrate trustworthy behavior in business, church, or community activities. Naming specific people should be encouraged.
11. Bring a “newsworthy” person the classroom who can be questioned by the students as to why they choose to behave in a trustworthy manner.


INFUSING THE CHARACTER QUALITY

1. Choose trustworthiness as the word of the month.

2. Write it on a large cutout shoe imprint and tape it to the floor at the classroom entrance. Have students step on it as a means of entrance. Make no exceptions.

3. In teaching history, science, literature, language, math or any discipline, discuss the ethical behavior connected with ethical words fitting that discipline. I.E. Does the math of a bank teller have anything to do with ethics? Do scientists have an ethical obligate to use their findings for the benefit of mankind? Are all people mentioned in history ethical? Are all people mentioned as characters in dramatic literature people who have integrity?

4. Built a “tower of trust” out of blocks in art class and demonstrate the importance for all character blocks to be in the edifice.

5. Chose a story and read it to the class. Have the class rewrite the story substituting trustworthiness for all unethical behaviors. Stress that outcome is generally the direct result of behavior.

6. Use trustworthiness, trust, integrity, honesty, loyalty, candor, and sincerity, promise-keeping, as vocabulary words, add other words such as lying, deception, betrayal, etc. Use the words in spelling bees or have the class match the definitions. Start a story and each person has to take up a word and weave it into the character’s behavior in the story demonstrating they understand its definition.

7. Have the class write and perform a skit or puppet show depicting a character that is trustworthy.

8. Develop essays, poems, raps, and songs with the behavior of trustworthiness present.

9. Ask the children to recite something trustworthy as it relates to their family life or a family on their street.
 

WHERE ARE YOU AS A SCHOOL?

[Numerous “trainings” took place this summer and these notations are to assist them and those in similar circumstances.]

It is necessary that a school to know “where it is” so that it can determine “where it wants to go” and what “specific progress has been made.” Failing to take notice of this important modus operandi may cause “regret” later on. It is central to the overall school character program so as to assure 1] the school’s capability to acquire funding for further interrelated programs, 2] inspire those you would like to see be involved, and, 3] help you “tweak” your organizational efforts from time to time.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EVALUATION?

As was stressed in the training, don’t expect payback momentarily. Some changes will be evident in a brief amount of time, but you are after long-lasting, qualitative change! Changes that that have become part of the child’s nature as it comes to the learning campus each day. Too, this will be quite evident when you do a comparative study on your “before” and “after” data.

Through these “measurements” you should be able to do the following:

1.      Identify your strengths as a school

2.      Have a realistic view of your staff and their commitment to providing a drug-free safe environment for their students

3.      Identify more clearly the negative elements that form obstacles to a good teaching - learning atmosphere.

4.      Provide a reassurance that the program is the right assessment and that it should be encouraged to increase for greater advancement.

5.      Stimulate others to lend their leadership and influence for its prolongation.

6.      Pull together the innate resources in your faculty-staff that can create greater dreams and visions of ethical prosperity

7.      Identify specific ethical battles won with anticipation of taking on those forces that negatively impact trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship.

8.      Clearly perceive the “teaching atmosphere” in the classroom and the fruits that can be seen in better learning achievements.

Dr. Nat Cooper
Center for Character Development
Lubbock Christian University
 

COACHING STAFFS – IMPORTANT
1,000 COACHES HEAR JOHN WOODEN
[We could do the same in West Texas]

On Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at the Wooden Center at UCLA in Los Angeles (from 8:30 am – 11:00 am) more than 1,000 high school coaches – all the coaches in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) -- assembled to hear Coach John Wooden launch the Pursuing Victory With Honor (PVWH) program recently mandated... CONTINUED