Find Tips & ToolsHonesty can seem like a simple concept. Merriam-Webster defines it as “fairness and straightforwardness of conduct; adherence to the facts; sincerity.” Or perhaps we are more familiar with it being “to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” But,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Fairness
As a leader in the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) I often reflect upon those critical characteristics that have contributed to our success as an organization over decades. One of the most important, “fairness” is a character trait that is embedded in the core value set of the employees here at SVFD….
Read more ›West Plains Guest Column: Caring
The holiday season and caring go hand in hand. I feel it is a safe assumption that for many of us the act of caring comes rather naturally, and we rarely look at the act itself as something extraordinary. But in a world that can be harsh and ugly at times,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Caring
“A city council, business, and non-profit: Caring for the Community”
Margaret Mead said it well: “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever had.”
How then,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Citizenship
From our West Plains Chapter:
You may be a bit surprised as you walk down the hall at Davenport Middle
School today. What you will not see are many students in the classrooms, hallways, or
common areas….
Guest Column: Citizenship
My favorite color combination is red, white and blue. You will find all three colors in the flag of the United States of America, which is where I call home. The white in our flag stands for purity and innocence,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Responsibility
The Partners Advancing Character Education (PACE) trait for this month is RESPONSIBILITY, a many-faceted word, encompassing a wide range of moral, emotional, ethical and common-sense situations. But let’s start with the trite and not too informative dictionary definition. Responsibility: The quality or state of being responsible,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Respect
On my classroom door there’s a sign. It reads: “In my room I want you to feel empowered, connected, respected, valued, challenged and supported. How am I doing?”
Early on I direct the kids’ attention to it,…
Read more ›Guest Column: Gratitude
Gratitude by Tracy Russell.
“I just wanted to say a very special “thank you” to all the men, women, and families that have donated their money, time, food, clothing and other items to Union Gospel Mission….
Read more ›Guest Column: Generosity
Henry Taylor said, “He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity, for the essence of generosity is in self-sacrifice.
“For it is in giving that we receive.” St Francis of Assisi wrote those words eons ago….
Read more ›Guest Column: Integrity
“What a strange feeling, to be at odds with yourself over who you are and what kinds of decisions you should make…”
Everyone grows up with a memory or two that shapes who they are….
Read more ›Guest Column: Courage
I was once reminded that courage comes from the heart, and to never lose the heart to do what is right. As I pondered this, I realized that the heart has throughout the ages been associated with the place where feelings,…
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