Posted on Apr 24, 2015
Do you think character and integrity based education should be taught in K-12 schools?
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I've had some really inspiring talks recently with Col Matthew Fritz & Brig Gen John Michel and they brought me to thinking more deeply about the military core values and how we as service members & veterans might teach the younger generation about these important principles. While they pertain heavily to our everyday military lives, most of the civilian world isn't taught these values in any formal teaching or instructional environment.
My question to you is, how do you think teachers, schools and parents across America would receive & support such instruction? Would you volunteer to mentor or teach character and integrity based education to local children in classrooms?
Col Fritz & Brig Gen (Ret) Michel have started a pretty revolutionary program called "Mentors Matter". The goal is to have veterans support mentorship in thousands of K-12 classrooms across the US to develop character, leadership and civic responsibility. If interested, I highly encourage you reach out to them and learn more about the program linked below. I see this as being a great way to get our kids on the right path with values that will help them both personally and professionally. I'd enjoy hearing everyone's thoughts on this or potential ways you would structure a teaching syllabus around this topic. Thanks in advance!
My question to you is, how do you think teachers, schools and parents across America would receive & support such instruction? Would you volunteer to mentor or teach character and integrity based education to local children in classrooms?
Col Fritz & Brig Gen (Ret) Michel have started a pretty revolutionary program called "Mentors Matter". The goal is to have veterans support mentorship in thousands of K-12 classrooms across the US to develop character, leadership and civic responsibility. If interested, I highly encourage you reach out to them and learn more about the program linked below. I see this as being a great way to get our kids on the right path with values that will help them both personally and professionally. I'd enjoy hearing everyone's thoughts on this or potential ways you would structure a teaching syllabus around this topic. Thanks in advance!
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 44
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I believe the core values are much more complex than most understand. The words are easy to say but the meanings are difficult to comprehend and much harder to live up to. I think the military (Army in my case) do an ok job of teaching core values but too complex for elementary students. Maybe a high school required course.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Agree, CSM Donald McGlasson -- and there is a bit of miscommunication in the original question. #MentorsMatter is more about character and integrity education--courseware that is sorely lacking in schools these days due to budget challenges. As a result, teachers are signing up their classrooms in hopes of finding mentors to volunteer to facilitate their program. Ideal mentors are veterans who are either active, separated or retired. Mentors volunteer to facilitate a curriculum designed by Medal of Honor recipients via their smartphone, tablet or computer in a teacher-moderated virtual environment. You can learn more, or sign up to participate, at http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ No commitments or strings attached!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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I've been trying to think of way to respond to this for a couple days now, and finally settled on this.
I don't think we have "Military Core Values."
I think we have "Core Values, as they are taught in the Military."
I believe all the Values we (the military) hold true are applicable to we (the People). Our Framers held these same Values. Not all of them were military. A great many were, but not all. Not all of our President's or Legislature, or Justices have been Military.
The advantage of the Military is a "rigid" educational system or indoctrination where, the Values can be highlighted EARLY. We teach these things, because they are necessary for Men & Women to know.
Unfortunately, the Civilian Sector... assumes that people just learn them through osmosis. That's a bad assumption. That's why there is college classes on Ethics. Business seminars on ethics, etc. Because these things aren't being taught early enough.
As for whether Teachers, Schools, & Parents would be willing to receive this instruction. It depends on how it's packaged. If we call it Military Core Values... we might not make friends. If we call it "The Essence of American Leadership" or some other snazzy title... I'm betting we could sell tickets at the door.
I don't think we have "Military Core Values."
I think we have "Core Values, as they are taught in the Military."
I believe all the Values we (the military) hold true are applicable to we (the People). Our Framers held these same Values. Not all of them were military. A great many were, but not all. Not all of our President's or Legislature, or Justices have been Military.
The advantage of the Military is a "rigid" educational system or indoctrination where, the Values can be highlighted EARLY. We teach these things, because they are necessary for Men & Women to know.
Unfortunately, the Civilian Sector... assumes that people just learn them through osmosis. That's a bad assumption. That's why there is college classes on Ethics. Business seminars on ethics, etc. Because these things aren't being taught early enough.
As for whether Teachers, Schools, & Parents would be willing to receive this instruction. It depends on how it's packaged. If we call it Military Core Values... we might not make friends. If we call it "The Essence of American Leadership" or some other snazzy title... I'm betting we could sell tickets at the door.
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Col Matthew Fritz
You are all over it, Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS -- and completely right. There is a misunderstanding in the original question.. The #MentorsMatter program is not about military core values...but military members (veterans, separated and retired) are "school of hard knocks" experts in character, ethics and integrity--and would make great facilitators of the curriculum, which was designed by Medal of Honor recipients. All we need are people to volunteer a small pittance of their time to facilitate the program via smartphones, tablets or computers in a safe, teacher moderated environment. Check out http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to learn more about the program and see if it fits with your abilities to volunteer. If so, register to become a facilitator today!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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Don't forget the best way to teach anyone especially a young child military core values is live them.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Absolutely, SPC Makissa Lewis -- modeling is one of the primary ways we learn positive behaviors! The #MentorsMatter program relies upon this very tenet to be successful. Surf over to http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to learn more and register to become a facilitator/mentor today!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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I work with Children 5 and under, not the place to teach these things. However, 1-12 i think it is a great way for them to learn MORE about core values.
I think a small down fall is getting consistency from parents and support from parents. Those that dont support war or conflict or those that think "You can do better" as long as the group of children id be working with could cognitively grasp the purpose of the program. id be down
I think a small down fall is getting consistency from parents and support from parents. Those that dont support war or conflict or those that think "You can do better" as long as the group of children id be working with could cognitively grasp the purpose of the program. id be down
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Col Matthew Fritz
There was a bit of a miscommunication in the original question, SPC Michael Frugoli. Please let me clarify. It's not about military core values...rather, the #MentorsMatter program is about character, ethics and integrity mentoring in K-12 classrooms. Classrooms volunteer to participate and then post a request. Veterans can sign up to be mentors and facilitate a Medal of Honor recipient-created curriculum in a virtual (phone, tablet or computer) environment moderated by the teacher. It's easy, simple and there are no strings attached. Hopefully this helps clarify the program. Surf over to http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to learn more and register to be a mentor today!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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I would call it ethical decision making. Value based training which would present situations and ethical delimnas in a controlled open forum. I recently wrote a paper about this for how is should be a requirement to take a course/seminar on this as part of the ciriculum. It should be started earlier than that. Great ideas, I fully support it.
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Col Matthew Fritz
I'd love to get a look at that paper, GySgt (Join to see) -- it sounds interesting! The #MentorsMatter program wouldn't be a requirement, but teachers can volunteer to sign up their classrooms and receive the curriculum (developed by Medal of Honor recipients) which focuses on character, integrity and ethics education which has gone missing in schools due to budget challenges. The program relies on veterans, like yourself, to sign up and facilitate the program in a safe, virtual environment on a schedule that works for you. If you want to learn more, or to register to participate, check out http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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GySgt (Join to see)
Sir, If you have a email address you want to provide me and I will send a copy of that paper your way. I will be definitely looking into the program.
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Outstanding idea. These are values that everyone should have regardless of military. Our kids need to know how to make ethical choices and work together. They need something to be a part of, to give them guidance and keep them out of mischief.
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Col Matthew Fritz
Thanks, SFC (Join to see) --we're pretty proud of the #MentorsMatter program, and school classrooms are signing up in droves! That's why we need leaders like you to register at http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to facilitate the program. The more the merrier!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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Like SGT Branden Wells, I also do this in my classroom. I teach a single gender class with 24 male students, ages 10-13. They eat it up and love the idea of "being like the military". It also instills a sense of pride within them and I often hear them repeating the values to others (even though they don't realize they are doing it_.
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Col Matthew Fritz
That's awesome, SFC Patricia Tucker -- perhaps your classroom would benefit from being a recipient of the #MentorsMatter program. Learn more about it and register at http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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SFC Patricia Tucker
Thanks for the info. I will most certainly look into those programs and utilize them.
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Some aren't being taught them at home so yes. I wouldn't necessarily call them Military core values but life values. They are something all should be taught and strive to uphold.
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Col Matthew Fritz
You are absolutely right, GySgt Brian Robinson ! These are LIFE values, not military values. Good stuff, like ethics, integrity and character are what the #MentorsMatter program is all about. Check out http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to see how you can register to help facilitate this valuable program for K-12 students!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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Col Matthew Fritz
You got that right, SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. ! It's completely teachable--as are integrity & character! The real difference is made by who is facilitating the message...which is where leaders like you come in. Veterans (active, separated and retired) are encouraged to sign up to be a mentor at http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/
Hopefully you'll check it out!
Hopefully you'll check it out!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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Capt Brandon Charters
The great thing about this program is it will be using technology solutions to live feed veterans into classrooms. Virtually anyone can do it. Pun intended!
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Col Matthew Fritz
Oh, yeah, LTC (Join to see) -- it's nearby! It's as close as your nearest smartphone, tablet or computer! Just surf over to http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/ to read more about it and sign up...then you will be invited to join classes and facilitate a pre-constructed curriculum (created by Medal of Honor Recipients, no less) on your schedule and your time...no commitments or strings attached. Have fun!
MentorsMatter - General Leadership
MentorsMatter is an education program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org)
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