Character
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
September 04, 2015
This past summer, members of the Shorecrest Board of Trustees read David Brooks’ book, “The Road to Character.” The introduction and Chapter 1 are so filled with important ideas and thoughtful quotes, one could easily build an ethics course from the ideas he develops. Obviously, Brooks is not designing an ethics course. He is describing a path for a purposeful and meaningful life.
While the Board was reading and discussing how “The Road to Character” impacts our personal and collective lives at Shorecrest, I was meeting with members of the Class of 2016 as they were preparing to begin their senior year at Shorecrest. During our 'Senior Interviews', I asked each person to list his or her core values. Respect, Integrity/Honesty, Loyalty, Hard Work, Trust and Compassion were mentioned most often. Seniors also mentioned Family, Friends and Education most often as the things they value.
The Administrative Team joined me in an exercise developed by the Center of Creative Leadership to identify our own personal core values, and the five we want to instill in all Shorecrest students. From a list of 52 possible values we debated over 13, which included Achievement, Citizenship, Courage, Creativity, Empathy, Happiness, Integrity, Justice, Knowledge, Perseverance, Reflection, Respect and Self-Regulation. Admittedly, there were interesting debates whether some of the values provided in the exercise are really values. Nonetheless, we eventually found that five of the values stood out as those we would like to see all students embrace. (I am intentionally not sharing that list at this time.)
I have conducted a similar exercise with members of the Shorecrest staff and have encouraged the School Heads to do the same with their faculty. In October, when the Accreditation Survey is presented to all parents and guardians, Upper School and Middle School students, trustees, faculty, staff, recent alumni and recent past parents, there will be an opportunity for the community to identify the core values they believe all Shorecrest students should embrace.
The results of that survey combined with lists generated by different groups will be presented to the Board with the intent that they will approve core values for Shorecrest to accompany our Mission and Vision.
Shorecrest is one of the few non-affiliated schools in our region, yet we have a tradition of developing teams that win statewide sportsmanship awards, school organizations that provide regular service and care to local individuals and non-profits, and an Honor Code that extends to all school-related activities. Together with the parents and guardians who send their children to our school, we strive to develop students who are on the road to colleges and careers as well as on the road to character.
Cheers!
Mike
Mike
