Morals and ethics have been an underlying theme of school from the start, but only recently have teachers intentionally taught values in the classroom.
"We can't teach school without teaching character," said Linda Brian, director of guidance and counseling for Amarillo Independent School District.
As a member of the Character Counts Coalition, the district teaches character education using this national curriculum.
This week is national Character Counts week, and the district is bringing attention to the program and its integration into schools.
The program, organized by the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics, uses six pillars of character as universal moral truths: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Brian said students are shown a set of high expectations.
Amarillo teachers have been trained to use the program, and many schools are taking the program into the classrooms, Brian said. The program is tailored to each grade level and teachers can relate the pillars to daily lessons.
Students are also involved in teaching others through morning announcements, posters in the hallways and student council involvement, Brian said.
Brian said parents have requested some type of character education be taught in the schools and although parents are the first teachers, schools and teachers can reinforce a standard of ethical behavior.
"There are some standards of morality and behavior that most of all society can agree upon," she said.
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