While reading the newspaper, surfing the internet and watching the news, the focus is oftentimes on the effects of negative behavior, rather than uplifting stories about the effects positive actions can have.  At the High School of the Future in Philadelphia there are three educators who make it their goal to focus on rewarding positive behavior, rather than putting the emphasis on punishing poor behavior.

Elizabeth Harvey, Kate Hayes and Kendall McArthur- Johnson created the POSITIVE Behavior Plan at their school.  When students engage in positive behaviors, they are rewarded for it.  When other students see rewards for positive behavior, they are inspired to act the same way.  For example, the homeroom with the best attendance each month wins a pizza party and one student with perfect attendance is randomly selected to receive a $10 gift card.  Students receiving all A’s and B’s are rewarded as well, with a random drawing for three more $10 gift cards.

Look around your school and neighborhood for friends, family and neighbors participating in positive behavior.  What are the positive effects of their behavior?  What can you do to follow in their footsteps?  Let us know!  info@heroesofcharacter.org or comment on this post.

Admin: D. Fiero