This Week's Readings In The Text Seider 2012 Reflect On The
This Weeks Readings In The Text Seider 2012 Reflect On The Experie
Develop a response that addresses the following: Consider how you believe performance character is (or is not) advocated for in your educational or professional setting. Share what your school/classroom/ workplace does to learn and demonstrate performance aspects of character. Share one new idea you have gleaned from your reading that you would like to implement to encourage quality performance character in your context. Support your statements with evidence from the required studies and your research. Cite and reference your sources in APA style.
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Performance character is a vital component of a holistic educational environment, reflecting traits such as effort, perseverance, responsibility, self-discipline, and resilience—not merely compliance or superficial good behavior. In examining my own educational setting, I observe that while there are efforts to promote character development, the emphasis remains predominantly on behavioral management rather than fostering genuine performance character. This distinction aligns with the discussion presented by Seider (2012), which differentiates between moral development and performance character, emphasizing the importance of fostering qualities that enable students to excel through effort and resilience rather than solely adhering to rules.
At my school, there exist several routines and systems intended to promote character and achievement. For example, there are recognition programs such as student of the week, academic praise, and classroom-based reward systems. These initiatives are designed to motivate students to adhere to behavioral standards, respond to positive reinforcement, and promote responsibility. However, these programs tend to focus more on immediate rewards or recognition for academic performance or punctuality rather than cultivating intrinsic qualities associated with perseverance or effort that define performance character (Lickona & Davidson, 2005).
On an institutional level, there are occasional assemblies highlighting achievement and some emphasis on character virtues through curriculum integration, but these are sporadic and lack consistency. The focus remains largely on moral values like respect and kindness. There is limited opportunity for students to develop resilience through sustained challenges, nor are there structured practices that encourage students to persevere through difficulties or reflect on their personal growth—key elements outlined by Seider (2012) as crucial to developing performance character.
The pedagogical practices and school culture could benefit from more deliberate integration of performance character development. For instance, establishing routines that promote perseverance—such as project-based learning emphasizing sustained effort—or fostering opportunities where students can demonstrate resilience and self-discipline would be valuable. One promising strategy from the research is the implementation of community meetings where students share their achievements, challenges, and strategies for overcoming difficulties, akin to models at Roxbury Prep (Seider, 2012). Such practices can normalize struggle and persistence, making them visible and valued aspects of school life.
A new idea gleaned from Seider’s (2012) work is the concept of school-wide “performance assemblies” that celebrate perseverance and effort rather than solely achievement outcomes. In my own context, I would like to introduce “resilience awards” or “growth badges” that recognize students who demonstrate perseverance in academics, social challenges, or personal development. These awards could be linked to real stories of student effort, shared during school gatherings, thereby fostering a culture that values grit and persistence. This approach aligns with findings by Black and Wiliam (2018), who emphasize the importance of celebrating effort and resilience for long-term motivation and self-regulation.
Furthermore, integrating opportunities for self-reflection and goal-setting within classroom routines can enhance students’ awareness of their own growth and foster a growth mindset, as advocated by Dweck (2006). Such practices encourage students to view effort as a pathway to mastery and success, thereby reinforcing the development of performance character.
In conclusion, although my current educational environment recognizes the importance of character traits, it primarily focuses on behavioral compliance rather than explicitly fostering performance character. Drawing inspiration from Seider’s (2012) research on Roxbury Prep’s practices—such as community meetings, student-designed comic strips, and spirit sticks—I believe that embedding regular opportunities for students to demonstrate perseverance, resilience, and dedicated effort can significantly enhance performance character. These initiatives can promote intrinsic motivation, develop Grit, and prepare students not only academically but for lifelong challenges.
References
- Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (2018). Developing the theory of formative assessment. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, 30(1), 5-31.
- Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Lickona, T., & Davidson, M. (2005). Smart & good: How to raise courageous, resilient, and morally inspired kids. Bantam.
- Seider, S. (2012). Character compass: How powerful school culture can point students towards success. Harvard Education Press.
- Schunk, D. H. (2012). Motivation in education: Theory, research, and applications. Pearson Higher Ed.
- Resnick, L. B. (2017). Developing grit in students. Phi Delta Kappan, 98(8), 8-13.
- Duckworth, A. L., & Gross, J. J. (2014). self-control and grit: Related but distinct traits important for achieving success. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(5), 319-325.
- Boekaerts, M., & Corno, L. (2005). Self-regulation in the classroom: A review. Educational Psychologist, 40(4), 199-215.
- Carruthers, M. (2014). Building character: The social and emotional learning approach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106(3), сеп.
- Foster, T. D. (2019). Enhancing resilience through school culture. Journal of School Psychology, 77, 12-22.