300 Wallkill Educators: Striving to Reawaken the Heart of America

On Wednesday, November 26, 2008, I had the privilege of returning to the Wallkill Central School District in New York to address over 300 educators at the Superintendent's Day Teachers' workshop—an event made possible through the leadership of Superintendent of Schools William J. Hecht and Assistant Superintendents Kevin Castle and Jose S. Sanchez. A special thanks is also deserving of Principal David Bemsley for hosting this event at Wallkill Senior High School.

Educators represented each of the schools in the Wallkill Central School District:

• Leptondale Elementary School
• Ostrander Elementary School
• Plattekill Elementary School
• Wallkill Middle School
• Wallkill Senior High School

My first presentation for the assembly was titled SOCIAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY CONCERNS FOR EDUCATORS: ONLINE COMMUNITIES, CELL PHONES, INSTANT MESSAGING. This presentation reviewed the current technology, highlighted the opportunities and dangers of each, and explored the impact on contemporary American values.

It stressed that by working together, we can use this new technology for personal growth, to improve relationships, and to transform our schools and communities into beacons of hope for a better future.

PRESENTATION AGENDA

• Why Are We Here?
  • PRIMARY ROLE OF THE EDUCATOR
  • FOUNDATIONS OF SELF-ESTEEM
  • FAMILY STRESS FACTORS
  • COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• SOCIAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY
  • WHAT IS IT?
  • IS IT ALL OK?
• WHY WE MUST CARE
  • EXPOSURE TO / POSTING OF INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT
  • ONLINE PREDATORS
  • CYBER-BULLYING / CYBER-THREATS
  • CRIMINAL CONDUCT / Sexting
• What We Can Do
• Call To Action
• Conclusion

The second presentation was based on my recent address at the National Conference on Ethics in America at West Point and customized for the Wallkill educators. It was titled Reawakening the Heart of America through Leadership, Vigilance and Collaboration. It highlighted that our nation has suffered for too many years a crisis of leadership. We must dedicate ourselves to a renewal of character, courage and compassion and a transformation of America which must begin in our homes and schools.

The objective of this presentation was to inspire educators and school personnel to a renewed dedication to the privilege and responsibility of the teaching profession. The importance of character to the education of our youth as well as the need for a commitment to leadership, vigilance and collaboration in schools and communities was highlighted.

PRESENTATION AGENDA

• Why Are We Here?
  • EDUCATION: ESSENTIAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF LIBERTY
• Culture of Gratification
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
  • Shattered Communities
  • Filling the Void
• REAWAKENING THE HEART OF AMERICA
  • PROGRESS AND PRIORITIES
  • THE ALTRUISM FACTOR
  • INGREDIENTS FOR TRANSFORMATION
  • CHARACTER: THE HEART OF THE MATTER
• Call To Action
• Tribute to American Military
• Conclusion

The American Military Tribute which I present at the conclusion of each of my presentations had a particularly special importance today since it honored Lt. Mark Dooley from Wallkill, New York who lost his life serving our nation in Iraq. Mark’s mother Marion is a teacher in the Wallkill Central School District and was present along with many who had the privilege of knowing Mark.

After the presentation, I signed copies of Listen To Their Cries for attendees and had the privilege of personally listening to their experiences as dedicated educators.

READ MORE

Wallkill Central School District	Click here to visit site
Vincent Bove Wallkill Blogs	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site
Internet Safety Blogs	Click here to visit site
Character Education Blogs	Click here to visit site