Major support provided by: John Templeton Foundation

Integrating Excellence & Ethics… For success in school work and beyond

Faculty and staff, the Professional Ethical Learning Community (PELC), provides the foundational leadership for the ELC. The ELC and P/ELC are guided by the same 6 principles

 A community that supports and challenges  Self-study  Other-study  Public performance/presentation

Develop an Ethical Learning Community whose members strive to realize their own potential for excellence and ethics AND help to bring out the best in every other person.

Engage in self-monitoring to identify both strengths and areas for growth in performance character and moral character. Based on your self-assessment, set goals for improvement and monitor your progress.

Study the products and pathways of individuals who demonstrate performance character and moral character. Learn to emulate exemplars’ pathways to success.

Use public performances & presentations—exhibitions, competitions, speeches, shows, and “real-world” work—to motivate best effort. Create a “culture of critique”— having students regularly present their work to peers for feedback—in order to heighten their responsibility for doing their best work and being their best ethical self.

Approaches learning as a lifelong process Demonstrates skills of critical analysis Takes seriously the perspectives of others Seeks expert opinion and credible evidence Generates alternative solutions Demonstrates willingness to admit error.

Strives for excellence; gives best effort Demonstrates initiative and self- discipline Knows standards of quality and creates high-quality products; takes pride in work Sets personal goals and assesses progress Perseveres in the face of difficulty.

Possesses a healthy self-confidence and a positive attitude Demonstrates basic courtesy in social situations Develops positive interpersonal relationships that include sensitivity to the feelings of others and the capacity for “care-frontation” Communicates effectively Works well with others Resolves conflicts fairly Has emotional intelligence, including self- knowledge and the ability to manage emotions.

Possesses moral discernment—including ethical wisdom and good judgment Has a well-formed moral conscience— including the sense of duty and the desire to do the right thing Has a strong moral identity—a self-concept that makes one’s moral character and moral commitments central to “who I am” Possesses the moral competence, or “know-how,” needed to translate moral discernment, conscience, and identity into effective moral behavior.

Respects the rights and dignity of all persons Understands that respect includes the right of conscience to disagree respectfully Possesses a strong sense of personal efficacy and responsibility to do what’s right Takes responsibility for mistakes Accepts responsibility for setting a good example and being a positive influence

Demonstrates self-control across a wide range of situations Pursues physical, emotional, and mental health Makes responsible personal choices that contribute to positive self-development, a healthy lifestyle, and a positive future.

Contributes to classroom, school, and community Demonstrates civic virtues and skills needed for participation in democratic processes Appreciates the nation’s democratic heritage and democratic values Demonstrates awareness of interdependence and a sense of responsibility to humanity.

Seeks a life of noble purpose Formulates life goals and ways to pursue them Considers existential questions (e.g., “What is happiness?”, “What is the meaning of life?”, “What is the meaning of my life?”)