Proactivity
Proactivity is what we refer to as our character education curriculum. Since our school’s beginning in 1997, proactivity is a familiar and commonly used word in every classroom. Proactivity is not a subject taught in college nor is it part of other schools’ currriculum. At Milwaukee College Prep, proactivity is the foundation of our curriculum. Proactivity is the philosophy that makes our school unique and successful. In a recent interview about our school, our principal, Robert Rauh was asked the following qustion. “What advice would you have for those new to character education?” His reply: “One of the keys to having a great character education program is having staff members who really embrace and model a values based lifestyle. Character education is not something that can be taught, it has to be lived. The key is getting full buy-in from the staff.”
Proactivity is taught first thing each day from the very first day of school. The first two weeks of the school year are used primarily to teach students to think about their actions, their education, adn their future. In addition, proactivity is taught, discussed and modeled throughout the entire school day from the first day of school until the last. The proactivity language becomes yoked with the language of mathematics, reading, and writing. The walls, halls, and common ares are no excpetion.
We teach proactivity for many reasons; it is at the core of our mission. First, it is taught because it is a much better alternative to reactivity, which is a much too common experience for our young people today. They see people reacting first, without thinking of the consequences, in fiction (TV, movies, video games) and in reality (on the streets and at home). The lessons we teach are designed to give students a clearer vision for their future and the skills needed to achieve their visions. Proactivity is a lifelong tool.
We are indebted to Steven R. Covey for all of his work in this area. Our school’s professional development schedule has included an in-depth training on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, presented in a two day seminar by a Covey trainer, and in summer 2009 all staff read “The Leader in Me” by Steven Covey. Additionally, our weekly newsletter posts an activity for families which has been adapted from “Seven Habits for Highly Effective Families” by Sean Covey. Our first energies should go to our own character development, which is often invisible to others, like the roots that sustain great trees. As we cultivate the roots, we will begin to see the fruits. ~Steven R. Covey
“Entering the doors of Milwaukee College Preparatory School, one moves from a troubled neighborhood setting into a warm and orderly environment established to support urban children as they strive to achieve academic excellence and acquire the tools necessary to make positive life choices. Students, parents, teachers, administers and support staff understand the school’s mission - an unrelenting focus on academic achievement and character development and the evidence suggests that the collaborative adult community effectively instills in students the disposition and confidence to realize the school’s goals.”
— Schools That Can Evaluation
National School of Character Award Video
Milwaukee College Prep School is the recipient of a National School of Character Award for their outstanding character development curriculum. The Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington DC has named 7 public schools, 1 charter school, 1 private school and 1 school district as the 2009 National Schools of Character. According to CEP, “the winning schools demonstrate that school transformation is possible through high-quality character education initiatives. Milwaukee College Prep School has closed the achievement gap and raised academic expectations for all students, built strong relationships and partnerships between parents, teachers, and students and given their students opportunities to serve their communities.” Feel free to enjoy this video about the culture and philosophy of our school.
The Character Education Partnership wrote an article about our school in honor of winning this prestigious award. NSOC Magazine Article “ Going Above and Beyond”
National School of Character Award
In May 2009, Milwaukee College Prep School was notified they were becoming a recipient of a National School of Character Award for their outstanding character development curriculum i.e. proactivity lessons. The Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington DC has named 7 public schools, 1 charter school, 1 private school and 1 school district as the 2009 National Schools of Character. According to CEP, the winning schools demonstrate that school transformation is possible through high-quality character education initiatives. They have closed the achievement gap and raised academic expectations for all students, built strong relationships and partnerships between parents, teachers, and students and given their students opportunities to serve their communities. Follow the link to read the NSOC winning application. NSOC Award Winning Narrative
Proactivity Lessons for the Classroom
At the outset of each school year, there are staff development days when the proactivity curriculum for the upcoming year is presented. Below are samples of curriculum mapping for proactivity objectives taught at Milwaukee College Prep School.
In our school, we TRECK on the road to college and beyond. Our school culture and proactivity lessons are built around 5 value words (Trust, Respect, Excellence, Courage and Knowledge). The proverbs and positive stories used in each classroom help illuminate and explain each value as we work to show them in our daily lives. For more information:
Proactivity at Milw College Prep 2008–09
Hallway Quotes
One is not paid for having brains, but using them.
Anonymous
Life gives you opportunities for you to act as the driver or the passenger.
VW Jetta Commercial
When you cease to dream, you cease to live.
Malcolm Forbes
Excellence is not an act but a habit; therefore we are what we repeatedly do. Aristotle
This is my time and place. I will accept the challenge or I will let others make
my decisions for me.
Marva N. Collins
You will find out what you can do by doing it.
Zarlenga
Thinking well is wise; planning well is wise; doing well is wisest of all.
Anonymous
Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.
Maya Angelou
We have miles to go and promises to keep before we sleep.
Robert Frost
To be a great champion, you must first believe you are the best.
Muhammad Ali
Whether you think you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.
Henry Ford
Today is your day; your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.
Dr. Seuss
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Albert Einstein
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
Helen Keller
Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best for the next moment. Oprah Winfrey
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Frederick Douglass
