Two Nationally Known Experts on Character Education to Speak at Alverno College Character Education Conference

May 3, 2016

Barbara Gruener, nationally known author and character coach will speak at Alverno College on June 16. Her morning keynote address is part of an annual conference on school transformation and character education entitled “Everyday Heroes: Transforming Schools through Character.” Gruener, who strives to help educators make strong connections while improving school climate, will speak on empathy, compassion and kindness in building character.

Scott Shickler, a personal empowerment expert, will deliver a keynote address over lunch. During his talk he will share how using the 7 Mindsets can improve school culture and increase academic achievement. His unique social emotional learning program focuses on increasing student resilience and self-determination.

The 12th annual character education conference will include breakout sessions led by national and local experts in the field. Some of the topics covered include cyber teen, restorative justice, building relationships, mindfulness, improving learning, toxic classrooms and building character and leadership skills. School administrators, counselors, K-12 teachers, pupil services professionals, coaches, school board members, parents and community leaders are encouraged to register. The conference is sponsored by the School District of South Milwaukee in partnership with Alverno College and the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership (WCEP). The School District of South Milwaukee has been recognized as a State School District of Character by WCEP. For more information or to register, please visit www.alverno.edu/characterconference.

On June 15, thirteen Wisconsin schools will be recognized as a State School of Character or for their Promising Practice, a best practice award in the field of character education. They include Brown Deer Middle/High School, Meyer Middle School (River Falls), Pleasant Prairie Elementary School, Westlawn Elementary School (Cedarburg), Greenwood Elementary School (River Falls), Amherst Middle School, Capitol West Academy (Milwaukee), Rockfield Elementary (Germantown), School District of South Milwaukee, St. Monica School (Whitefish Bay), Westside Elementary (River Falls), West Milwaukee Intermediate, and Youth Initiative High School (Viroqua).