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In our multi-cultural society, it is rare to find a school where everyone on campus speaks the same language. Yet, at Dozier Elementary in Montgomery, that is exactly the scenario! A long-time champion of character development, Principal Cindy McKenzie has the goal that during each school day, the faculty, staff, and students share a common tongue – the language of respect and good manners.
Each morning, their school day begins with Chief’s Review, a closed circuit school-wide broadcast, where a selected character trait of the week is showcased. Teachers take turns planning Manners of the Heart lessons that are co-taught by their students using puppet shows, role play, song, or poems to share the character trait with all Dozier students. The trait is then reinforced throughout the day by the teachers. Each child’s morning is therefore begun with a smile and some positive thoughts.
To provide additional reinforcement and practical application, students earn “gotcha tickets” when they are “caught” demonstrating good character by teachers or other school staff. At the end of the month, students who have earned a designated number of tickets are then invited to a “Gotcha Bash” (such as a movie with hot cocoa, i.e. “Polar Express”). Through this, students are encouraged to always be on their best behavior, thus emphasizing a positive style of living that should last a lifetime.
As with all elementary schools, reading is a main component of Dozier’s academic plan. Even in this area, they incorporate character development in a unique way. Their reading coach received a grant for beginning a Character Education Reading Program in which community volunteers come to the campus to read to students in grades K-3. The volunteers read stories that stress the positive character traits highlighted during the Chief’s Review each week.
Students have the opportunity to respond to the literature and the readers as volunteers help the children identify positive character traits in the stories. The youngsters learn how to apply these character traits to their own lives. This successful program is in its 3rd year and has created a strong partnership between the dedicated volunteer readers from Forest Park Ministry and the children. “Students look forward to spending time each week with their readers,” says Principal McKenzie.
Another move in the right direction toward “speaking” respect is their involvement with the STEP Foundation (Strategies to Elevate People). Dozier’s STEP representative works with all of the students, especially those in need of special services or with behavioral needs.
Dozier has also implemented the Positive Behavior Support Program (PBS). It is a general approach to equip all students with the skills to prevent behavioral problems. This proactive, rather than reactive plan, coupled with the other elements of Dozier’s character program has yielded great results. Says Mrs. McKenzie, “The decrease in office referrals shows that these programs are working together to increase positive student behavior within the Dozier community. Finally we are speaking the right language. Everyone is involved with Manners of the Heart. It’s making a big difference in our school, and we know it will have a lifelong positive impact on our students and their families.”
Their unique and eclectic approach to instilling respectful living at their campus has been recognized and rewarded as Dozier was named January’s Character Education School of the Month for Montgomery Elementary Public Schools, an honor that carries with it a $500 award to be used in the school’s program.
We agree that everyone “speaking the same language of respect” at Dozier is working very effectively. Clearly, we like what we “hear” when they speak--congratulations to this wonderful school!
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