Character_Education_Interview_EDUC_500_D06.docx.pdf

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

Character Education Interview

Flora Edwards

EDUC 500-D06

Liberty University

July 17, 2019

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

Part 1 Demographics

1) First and Last Name :

Nino Furneri

Part 2 Questionnaire Interview for Teacher

1). Tell me about character education in your classroom / school district.

During the summer in Extended School Year, I teach children with special needs. In my

classroom, I teach reading, math writing along with everyday life skills such as a calendar with

days and time. In the hopes, they will be prepared for a job one day. “ My class character

education is based on rules. I have three basic rules follow directions, use kind words, and quite

hands and feet” (Nino Furneri, personal communication, July 17, 2019). I have been a teacher

for over twenty years and the majority of them I have I taught in a Christian school. “My most

important belief I teach my students is to be respectful. I give them respect, and I expect to be

respected back this is the way I was raised from my parents and how I raise my children” (Nino

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

2). In your opinion, is character education an initiative in school?

When I was in school in the past children had respect for their teachers, neighbors, and parents.

Now there is no respect for anyone; a new paradigm has been set where children will say and do

as they please with no consequence. Words no longer have the same meaning; children use

colorful language to express themselves, which is considered to be reasonable when in my day,

the same word would get you detention or a form of punishment. “Societies values have changed

where ethics have been lost, simplicity and modesty are nonexistent which leaves our youth

without a fighting chance of becoming trustworthy responsible adults. To gain a student’s trust as

an educator you must be a vigilant role model with ethical values daily, displaying actions shown

by guidance, love, patience, commitment, and respect”(Nino Furneri, personal communication,

I did not, so with one son, I was able to guide him alone, but the other I need the assistance of the

church. “The saying is true and it will always will be “It takes a village to raise a child” (Nino

Furneri, personal communication, July 17, 2019). As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I

will be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

King James, (2012). He said this to say that his kindness and willingness to help others only

brought them closer to one another, which brings them closer to God. This is how we bring the

character back into our education.

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

4). What has been the reaction of parents and community members to character education

programs?

The district lacks teaching values by teaching curriculums read in books about values. The

5). Please tell me a little bit about any resistance you have found to character education.

Nino Furneri (personal communication, July 17, 2019) stated, I have not found any resistance for

teaching character education because I do not explain it. However, I do tell my students you

shouldn’t lie, cheat, or steel. I always ask them to do the right thing, use kind words, and be kind

to others. I come to my classroom with values and standards for my students not only in words

but also with my actions. The parents of my students always say thank you for being there for

their child, and they appreciate the stories and time I share with them. Majority of my parents say

they appreciate the dedication and how positive I am towards the students and how they see the

environment around them.

6). Which types of programs or activates do you believe are most successful in promoting a

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

preparing.

8). Are there any noticeable changes in student behavior or morale since you have started

integrating character education?

Nino Furneri (personal communication, July 17, 2019) stated, I do not teach character education

in my classroom but I do instill values by modeling and talking about integrity, lying, and

steeling. But yes, there would be a noticeable change in students’ behavior or morale if there

were any changes to their daily routine at least until the modification to the schedule has become

permanent. Once a routine has been reestablished, continue to nurture the students with love,

guidance, values, and consideration for a safe comfortable transition.

9). What words of wisdom, advice, or caution do you have regarding character education or

called, and I did apologize there was no excuse for me to say that to my student at any point and

in front of his peers. I apologized and from that point would tell my students I was wrong always

be humble; it takes a strong person to admit being wrong and to apologize. Show humanity and

be human in front of your students”( Nino Furneri, personal communication, July 17, 2019).

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

Part 3: Integrating Character Education in your classroom: Summary of Research-Based

Strategies

After working with Mr. Furneri for three days and seeing how he interacts with his class gave

me ideas on how I would like to integrate morality and values within my classroom. His beliefs

on how things have changed from the late sixties to now are dramatically different from the loss

of benefits. Character education is possibly the only foundation of hope that our youth may have

for success in the future. Today’s society is overrunning with constant negativity, rudeness,

insults, violence, and hate-groups that influence our children utilizing television, violent movies,

media, and materialism.

In my classroom, I would hope to be able to teach my students self-worth, empathy, humility,

integrity, patience, and consideration. Students have a constant need for recognition, self-esteem,

and compassion, even though they do not seem to be present in our schools. Values can be taught

through stories and integrated into lessons by vicarious learning how negativity can affect

having constant contact and giving students the recognition; they have an ongoing need for

acceptance.

Due to the continual pressure for the mission statement of schools to have high test scores

student’s moral well-being is continually being neglected, which is essential to a mentally,

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

emotionally, peaceful, responsible person. Some educators feel the responsibility primarily lies in

the home, but we spend time with students and have an obligation to them as well as society to

do our part in nurturing. “Everyone has to play their part in character education the family, and

the church” ”(Nino Furneri, personal communication, July 17, 2019). Virginia Journal of

Education(n.d) suggested that “We need a school environment in which students feel and know

they are valued at heart by their classmates and educators. Students of all ages need to feel they

are cared for and understood-absolute ingredients for wholesome development.”(para 9).

Societies values have changed where ethics have been lost; simplicity and modesty are

nonexistent, which leaves our youth without a fighting chance of becoming trustworthy,

responsible adults. To gain a student’s trust as an educator, you must be a vigilant role model

with ethical values daily, displaying actions shown by guidance, love, patience, commitment, and

respect”(Nino Furneri, personal communication, July 17, 2019). Mr. Furneri and the author of

the Virginia Journal of Education both agree that a form of character education is needed in our

neurons duplicate connections and make new paths that give new roles. With this information

learning patterns can be changed, and new ones discovered our children could be reconditioned

.Part 4: Conclusion -Reflection and Discussion

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

In conclusion of my interview for Character Education, the widespread change in how

our classrooms character ethics has changed over the years is significantly drastic. The virtues of

fidelity, temperance, integrity, justice, humility, courage, and patience in which the nation was

founded on have been lost. Our schools are filled with bullies, negativity, violence, harassment,

materialism, and dishonesty, due to the mission statement of schools testing being pushed as the

priority instead of the integrity of the student. The education and ethical education of our

children is essential, and it is our responsibility to make sure they learn how to deal with their

emotions because they both have influenced each other.

School environments and educators are becoming less welcoming to learners who make pupil

motivations levels low. When you offer a warm, safe, welcoming environment by having

positive role models with ethical values greeting students, you begin to build positive

relationships by making them feel valued. I have learned when a student feels valued, they trust

and respect you and will start to be motivated to engage in a new behavior. As educators, we

the family or the church but both including the community. I also believe it takes a village to

raise a child when you have the cooperation of your neighbors your children are more likely to

be more respectful; they know people care and are watching what they do. Preparing myself

daily by praying for guidance is the first step to making sure that I begin with my classroom with

Running head: CHARACTER EDUCATION INTERVIEW 500

character education. Like Mr. Furneri, I do not honestly believe values can be put into a book; it

is something you to model. The best way to teach character education is through vicarious

learning. This way it is modeled, and my students will learn by example New International Bible,

(1973) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in

the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the

same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in

humility, count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own

interests but also, to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in

Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:1-5). Together, one day at a time, one child at time with we can make

a difference to instill the qualities of love, humility, respect, and compassion for a foundation of

success.