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Updated 07/18/08...wl

Archived material. This page is no longer maintained.

RESOURCE PROFILES

• Clearinghouse of Best Practices from Maine Character Education Partnership Schools

Name of Program:  ADD VERB Productions  
Name of Contact Person:  Cathy Plourde, Executive Director
Address:  PO Box 3853 Portland, Maine  04104
Telephone:  (207) 653-4554 or (207) 772-1167
E-Mail Address:  cathy.plourde@att.net

Brief Description of Program:  Cathy Plourde and ADD VERB Productions is dedicated to using theatre as a socially relevant educational tool.  As a playwright, educator and consultant, she conducts workshops and trainings, does community-building, and writes play that have been commissioned.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  Junior High, High School, and Adult

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  Maine Women’s Fund, Maine Alliance for Arts Education, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Mainely Girls, Portsmouth Clipper Health, and many Maine schools.

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Name of Program:   The Biggest Job We’ll Ever Have
Name of Contact Person:  Laura D. Gauld
Address:  616 High Street, Bath, Maine  04530
Telephone:  (207) 443-7369
E-Mail Address:  lgauld@hyde.edu

Brief Description of Program:  These interactive family workshops focus on strengthening families.  Do we have a vision for our family and ourselves?  Does anything get in the way of bringing that vision to reality.  If parents work on their character, then children’s growth will follow.  The workshop’s material comes from the family program at The Hyde School, a nationally recognized leader in character education.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  Ages kindergarten through high school.

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  

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Name of Program:  Building Community Through the Arts
Name of Contact Person:   Susan Potters, Penquis Director
Address:   Maine Alliance for Arts Education, 28 Merchants Plaza, Bangor, Maine  04401
Telephone:  (207) 990-2805
E-Mail Address:  maaebangor@aol.com

Brief Description of Program:  Students in the regular, academic classroom work with a visiting creative theater or movement artist/educator for two weeks to create an original theater or movement piece based on the students’ own social issues and/or their curriculum.  The residencies culminate in a regional conference where the groups meet to perform and discuss the experiences.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  High school or middle school (would be effective in elementary school also)

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented: 

Katherine Donovan, Principal, Hampden Academy – 862-3791

Walter Sheren, Teacher, John Baptist High School – 947-0313

Pam Hamilton, Teacher, Lee Academy – 738-2252

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Name of Program:  Bullying Education Project
Name of Contact Person:  Pam Anderson
Address:   Maine Law & Civics Education, U. Maine School of Law, 246 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04102
Telephone:  (207) 780-4159
E-Mail Address:  pamelaa@usm.maine.edu

Brief Description of Program:  Maine Law & Civics Education conducts on-site training for elementary and middle schools in bullying prevention strategies. MLCE advises school administrators on developing an effective school-wide bullying education program, trains the school’s coordinating committee, conducts staff workshops and provides curriculum resources and ongoing technical assistance. Student bullying surveys are administered before and after the interventions for evaluation purposes. Training is provided on a fee for service basis, partially supported by a grant from Maine Department of Human Services.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  K-8

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  The program has been implemented in schools statewide. Contact Pam Anderson for specific referrals

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Name of Program:  Camp Kieve’s Leadership Decisions Institute  
Name of Contact Person:   Bob Grant
Address:  P.O. Box 169, Nobleboro, Maine  04555
Telephone:  (207) 563-6212
E-Mail Address:  LDI@kieve.org

Brief Description of Program:  The purpose of the Leadership Decision Institute is to encourage responsible decision-making in adolescents by giving young people safe opportunities to test themselves, learn new skills, and depart with more social competence, problem-solving skills, autonomy from peer pressures and a sense of purpose and future.  The goals of the Leadership Decisions Institute in empowering young people with these skills are to:  improve school climate; decrease school violence; decrease teens’ use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs; delay and decrease early sexual activity; raise aspirations of program participants, their families, and their communities.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  Middle school students, parents, teachers.

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:   None given.

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Name of Program:  Character Counts
Name of Contact Person:  Christy Fitzpatrick, University of Maine Cooperative Extension/4H
Address:  P.O. Box 8, Houlton, Maine  04730
Telephone:  1-800-287-1469 or (207) 532-6548
E-Mail Address:   cfitz@umext.maine.edu

Brief Description of Program:   The 6 pillars of character – trust worthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship – and ethical decision-making are the foundations for the character education program of Character Counts.  This nationwide coalition of over 400 community, youth and educational organizations works with schools and communities to implement character education.  Cooperative Extension works with schools and school districts in many states to deliver programming whose greatest strength is its ability to integrate into existing curriculum and programs.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  K-12

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  Two good models of Character Counts are in Botetout Co. VA (contact Glenda Snyder, 4H Extension Agent, (540) 473-8260) or the Albuquerque Public Schools, P.O. Box 25704, Albuquerque, NM  87125.  Maine Cooperative Extension staff is eager to partner with Maine school districts wishing to pilot a Character Counts program tailored to individual school or district needs.  

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Name of Program:    Characterworks!
Name of Contact Person: Ronald D. Jackson
Address:  5962 Zebulon Road #184
Telephone:  478-757-8000
E-Mail Address:  119@119design.com

Brief Description of Program:  Characterworks! is a web-based character education resource for schools, communities and families featuring a free daily email, Now and Then in Character Eduaction. Go to http://www.characterworks.com for additional information.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  K-12   

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Name of Program:  Community of Caring, Inc.
Name of Contact Person:  Kristin Fink, Executive Director
Address:  1325 G Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005
Telephone:  (202) 393-1251
E-Mail Address:  contact@communityofcaring.org

Brief Description of Program: Community of Caring is a research-based, whole-school, comprehensive K-12 character education program having a unique focus on disabilities. It creates positive climate change and caring school communities in which all students are respected, challenged to grow morally, taught to make healthy life decisions, and encouraged to participate in every aspect of school life.  The program includes: 1) Training teachers and other staff; 2) incorporating  the values of caring, respect, responsibility, trust and family into all curricular areas; 3)  conducting student forums on issues vital to young people; 4) involving the family and community service projects; and 5) providing opportunities for students to plan and carry out community service projects.  Display information will include a program video, distribution of the program brochure and  recent newsletters.

Target Audience of Programs:  K-12

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Name of Program:  Conflict Management Education and Peer Mediation
Name of Contact Person:  Pam Anderson
Address:  Maine Law & Civics Education, U. Maine School of Law, 246 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04102
Telephone:  (207) 780-4159
E-Mail Address:  pamelaa@usm.maine.edu

Brief Description of Program:  Maine Law & Civics Education assists K-12 schools that wish to establish conflict management and peer mediation programs. MLCE advises school administrators on developing an effective school-wide conflict management program, trains the school’s coordinating committee, conducts staff workshops and trains student mediators. Student surveys are administered before and after the program for evaluation purposes. Training is provided on a fee for service basis, partially supported by a grant from the Maine Department of Human Services

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  K-12

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  

The program has been implemented in schools statewide. Contact Pam Anderson for specific referrals.  

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Name of Program:  Conflict Management Education, at the Peace Studies Program  
Name of Contact Person:  Barbara Blazej
Address:  University of Maine, 5725 East Annex, Room 211, Orono, Maine  04469-5725
Telephone:  (207) 581-2625
E-Mail Address:  barbara_blazej@umit.maine.edu

Brief Description of Program:  Consultation and assistance in planning/developing conflict management/peer mediation programs in schools and communities.  Semi-annual statewide newsletter on the latest developments in Conflict Management Education, “Changing Ways/Building Skills”.  Resource library with comprehensive materials for teaching and training.  Two University courses on the Fundamentals of Mediation and the foundations of transformational conflict management.  Co-coordinate PM/AM, statewide organization of peer mediators.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  All educators and school personnel in K-12 schools; students as learners in all these grades; students in grades 4 – 12 for peer mediation. 

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  We have served schools throughout the State through our various activities and services.  Please contact us for specific referrals.

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Name of Program:  KIDS Consortium, Inc.
Name of Contact Person:  Francine Rudoff, Executive Director
Address:  215 Lisbon Street, Suite 12, Lewiston, Maine  04240  
Telephone:  (207) 784-0956   FAX:  (207) 784-6733
E-Mail Address:  frudoff@kidsconsortium.org

Website:  www.kidsconsortium.org

Brief Description of Program:  Now in its second decade, KIDS Consortium is a nationally recognized service-learning leader.  Service-learning is a teaching strategy that connects classroom instruction with community service experiences.  Through a KIDS project, students are challenged to identify community issues and needs and then design and implement a solution.  KIDS projects are powerful, “hands on” learning experiences that are aligned with the Learning Results.  Resources available from KIDS Consortium include a step-by-step teacher’s guide (KIDS as Planners), a free newsletter, and a wide range of professional development opportunities for teachers, school administrators, community agencies and youth workers; workshops are tailored to meet the needs of participating school districts.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  K-12 students

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  

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Name of Program: Learning for Life & Exploring Name of Contact Person: Michael P. Dyer
Address: 131 Johnson Road, Portland, Maine 04102
Telephone: 207-797-5770
Email Address: midyer@lflmail.org
Website: www.learning-for-life.org

Brief Description of Program: Provides comprehensive curriculum focusing on character and career education programs for children and youth in grades k-12. Work-site component is career focused and helps youth discover and prepare for career paths. Exploring is for youth in grades 9-12.

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been delivered/implemented.

Program has been distributed free of charge to the entire Augusta School System. Contact individual's title is director of curriculum development, Bobby Jordan, Curriculum Coordinator for the Augusta Public Schools.
207-626-2468

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Name of Program:   Maine State High School Mock Trial Program
Name of Contact Person:   Julia Underwood
Address:  Maine Law & Civics Education, U. Maine School of Law, 246 Deering Ave., Portland, ME 04102
Telephone:  (207) 780-4159
E-Mail Address:  underwd@usm.maine.edu

Brief Description of Program: This is an academic competition in which participating high school teams prepare and try a case in courtrooms around the state. The goals of this program are to inculcate civic values by educating students about the legal system, the judicial process, the attorney’s role and the rules of evidence; and to teach such skills as effective communication, critical thinking, principles of advocacy and teamwork. Volunteer attorneys work with students and the teacher-coach in preparing the case. Attorneys and judges serve on evaluation panels for each round of competition. The program is coordinated by Maine Law & Civics Education and sponsored by the Maine State Bar Association.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  9-12 

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:

For a list of participating schools, contact Julia Underwood.

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Name of Program:   Mainely Character Scholarship Program  
Name of Contact Person:  Arnold M. Bushner, President
Address:  c/o Financial Benefit Services Corporation, 10 Donald B. Dean Drive, South Portland, Maine  04106
Telephone:  (207) 775-0062 Ext. 105
E-Mail Address:  abushner@financialbenefit.com

Brief Description of Program:  The program provides scholarship funds to reward Maine students who have demonstrated a continuing commitment to character and self development.  The core principles of Mainely Character Scholarship Program are integrity, courage, responsibility and concern.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  Maine students who are seeking post-secondary education. 

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:   The first scholarship award will be granted Spring 2001.

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Name of Program: Otolith Education
Name of Contact Person: Kyle Bissell
Address: P.O. Box 525 Bar Harbor, Maine  04609
Telephone: (207) 288-5772
E-Mail Address: Kyle@OtolithEd.org     www.OtolithEd.org

Brief Description: Otolith Education will conduct a goals inventory to assess each group’s needs and goals. We utilize active and engaging group initiatives that can take place at your school, in wilderness settings, in Acadia National Park, or on high or low challenge courses as catalysts for discovering the realms of character education. Otolith Education staff choose unique and fun reflective learning strategies to help nurture transference of the experiences to the group goals.

Target Audience: K-College and Professional Development/Capacity Building

Name & Telephone of References:

Ben Speed, Videography Teacher, Hancock County Technical Center, 207–667–9729 ext: 115

Kristina Braga, After School Program Director, Ellsworth School Department, 207-667- 4722 ext: 5532

Jennifer Shanholtzer, Biology Teacher, Mount Desert Island High School, 207-288-5011

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Name of Program:  PDI Workshop (Personal Development Integration)  
Name of Contact Person:  Mary Ann Conroy
Address:  146 Walnut Street, South Portland, Maine  04106
Telephone:  (207) 799-1467
E-Mail Address:   mconroy@envatec.com

Brief Description of Program:  In this one-day seminar, teachers work to integrate positive beliefs, values or character traits into specific lesson plans by directly referencing the Maine Learning Results.  Teachers also learn how to build stronger relationships with peers and create a more positive learning environment.  Learning takes place through large and small groups activities, lecture, one-on-one coaching and personal reflection.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  Grades K-12

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:   

Barbara Ann Arnoldo, St. Patrick’s School, 772-2521

Deacon Steve Harnois, Holy Cross School, 799-6661

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Name of Program:   7 Pines Edutainment  
Name of Contact Person:  Jim Erbe, Producter/Cathy Plourde, Education Coordinator
Address:  7 Russell Street, Portland, Maine  04102
Telephone:  (207) 879-1612 / (207) 772-1167
E-Mail Address:  corpvidojavanet.com/cathy.plourde@att.net 

Brief Description of Program:  7 Pines is a production company whose mission is to teach children ages 3 to 7 about universal virtues, ethics, and morals through highly imaginative and entertaining television programming.  A new children’s television program is now in development.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs:  ages 3 to 7

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented:  Education Partner:  The Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University.

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Name of Program: Tilbury House, Publishers
Name of Contact Person: Patricia Royall
Address: 103 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
Telephone: (207) 582-1899

Brief Description of Program: Award-winning children's picture books about cultural diversity, social justice, and the environment, such as: "Our Friendship Rules" (dealing with cliques and betrayal), "Say Something" (bullying from the bystander's perspective), "Keep Your Ear on the Ball" (helping a blind student while honoring his independence, "Playing War" (understanding the human cost of war), and "The Goat Lady" (finding friendship in unexpected places). We support our books with "Teachers Take Note" information on our web site and with some stand-alone teacher's guides.

Target Audience (including ages or grade levels) of Programs: Children in grades 3-6, primarily, and their teachers.

Name and Telephone of References Where Program has been Delivered/Implemented: Schools throughout Maine and beyond. Our books have won national awards and recognition. Please see the listings at www.tilburyhouse.com.

 

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