Beyond Grit
May 10, 2016 by VIA Contributor ·
No doubt about it, grit is in. The concept of grit seems to have first come to the public’s attention in 2011 with a New York Times Magazine article called “What if the Secret to Success Is Failure?” in which Paul Tough suggested grit may be the true key... Read More
Parent-Child Strengths Mapping
April 19, 2016 by VIA Institute on Character ·
Being a parent is hard work. There is no job description that can fully prepare you for the responsibility, rewards, challenges and uncertainty that come with having children. How can you possibly nurture and guide this other person when you are still navigating life yourself? Well…you do it together!... Read More
Using Strengths to Set Goals on IEP’s
April 14, 2016 by VIA Contributor ·
Written by special guest blogger: Katie Curran, MAPP If you have a child with special needs or work as a special educator you are familiar with IEP’s (Individualized Education Plan). Part of the IEP process is preparing for the meeting that will set the educational focus for the upcoming... Read More
A Family on the Same Page, For the First Time
February 17, 2016 by VIA Contributor ·
A little over two years ago, my husband and I sat once again in the psychologist’s office, reviewing the fourth and most recent psycho-educational evaluation for our daughter. Her learning difficulties and confusing diagnoses had taken us on a journey through diverse academic settings — from private to public,... Read More
Positive Schooling: A Heaven for Holistic Development
January 18, 2016 by Dr. Neal Mayerson ·
From the moment of birth forward life is a dynamic tension of self-expression and meeting the requirements of others. At times, others’ expectations of us are at odds with our authentic self. In those moments, which occur over and over, we resolve the tension in one of two ways. ... Read More
Which Frozen Character Has Better Coping Skills?
November 23, 2015 by Dr. Ryan Niemiec ·
Frozen is one of the most popular animated movies of all time. It is ironic, however, that Anna, a role model of many strengths for children and youth (and adults) sits in the shadow of the far more popular – and far more unhealthy – character of Elsa. A... Read More
From a Faddy Bandwagon to a Lasting Mark
May 20, 2015 by VIA Contributor ·
How do we prevent ‘character education’ from becoming a faddy bandwagon that rolls on by? Educational bandwagons come and go, and normally it doesn’t matter a jot. “Bye, bye coursework,” you think, as some education minister or other rants out his latest vision for driving up standards. “Never mind.... Read More
Grit that Produces Growth Beyond Graduation
February 20, 2015 by Dr. Neal Mayerson ·
The structure of schools has changed drastically and today schools can be places of desperation. Students who desperately want to be somewhere else. Teachers who desperately want students to engage more with lessons. Administrators desperately dealing with disruptive students, demoralized teachers, and unhappy parents and citizens. Grit is a... Read More
Well-Doing + Well-Being
December 16, 2014 by VIA Contributor ·
“…..all our morality appears but as a plaster hiding a sore it can never cure, and all our well-doing as the hollowest substitute for that well-being that our lives ought to be grounded in, but, alas! are not.” -William James (1902) Whether it’s the boisterous laughter on the playground... Read More
Celebrating Strengths: A School Project with VIA at its Heart
May 16, 2014 by VIA Contributor ·
A few weeks ago I once more visited the wonderful Downshall Primary School, a school that is embedding character strengths across the curriculum as a way of building confidence and enjoyment in students and teachers. My visit was part of Downshall’s Festival of Wisdom celebrations. I focused on storytelling... Read More