The Circle of Courage

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The Circle of Courage

• A Pathway to Achievement
• John Frazzini

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The Circle of Courage

• What is underachievement?
• Why does underachievement happen?
• What does the research say?
• What is our solution?

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The Circle of CourageWhat is underachievement?

• In general, underachievement is when academic
  performance is not matching with academic
  potential. The reality is many learners who are
  gifted are failing classes and dropping out of
  school.

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The Circle of CourageWhat is underachievement?

• What are some current strategies being used to
  address underachievement?
• Positive Reinforcements
• Negative Reinforcements
• Organizational Skills
• Individual Advisement

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The Circle of CourageWhat is underachievement?

• How is this working?
• Not well, if it were, I wouldnt be here talking
  to you!!
• Definition of insanity Doing the same thing over
  and over again and expecting different results!!
• Then why do students underachieve?

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The Circle of CourageWhy does underachievement
happen?

• Common belief about underachieving students who
  are gifted
• are Lazy?
• arent motivated?
• are bored?
• or is it something else?

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The Circle of CourageWhat does The Circle of
Courage address?

• Examines the needs of the individual
• Examines the elements of moral/ethical dilemmas
• Analysis of successful role models
• Development of an individual action plan for
  successfully overcoming their personal dilemmas

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The Circle of CourageStage I Individual Needs

• The Circle of Courage
• Overview
• Student Survey
• Maslows Pyramid
• Maslows Pyramid (Inverted)

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The Circle of CourageElements of Moral/Ethical
Dilemmas

• Core Principals
• Honesty - Buddha-Three things cannot be long
  hidden the sun, the moon, and the truth.
• Fairness - Martin Luther King Jr.-Injustice
  anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
• Respect - Albert Einstein-Laws alone cannot
  secure freedom of expression in order that every
  man present his views without penalty there must
  be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.

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The Circle of CourageElements of Moral/Ethical
Dilemmas

• Core Principals (Continued)
• Responsibility - Thomas Jefferson-Responsibility
  is a tremendous engine in a free government.
• Compassion - Maya Angelou-When we cast our bread
  upon the waters, we can presume that someone
  downstream whose face we will never know will
  benefit from our action, as we who are downstream
  from another will profit from that grantor's
  gift.

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The Circle of CourageElements of Moral/Ethical
Dilemmas

• Risks/Dangers
• Ambiguity - Winston Churchill-Without a
  measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama
  of human life would be destroyed.
• Exposure - John Bryant Conant-Without a
  measureless and perpetual uncertainty, the drama
  of human life would be destroyed.
• Loss - Thomas Paine-Reputation is what men and
  women think of us character is what God and
  angels know of us.

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The Circle of CourageElements of Moral/Ethical
Dilemmas

• Trust in
• Past Experience - Rita Rudner-I think men who
  have a pierced ear are better prepared for
  marriage. They've experienced pain and bought
  jewelry.
• Intuition - Ponca Chief White Eagle-Go Forward
  With Courage. When you are in doubt, be still,
  and wait when doubt no longer exists for you,
  then go forward with courage. So long as mists
  envelop you, be still be still until the
  sunlight pours through and dispels the mists--as
  it surely will. Then act with courage.

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The Circle of CourageElements of Moral/Ethical
Dilemmas

• Trust In (Continued)
• Faith Anonymous- Faith is not belief without
  proof, but trust without reservation.
• Supportive context/community - Jim
  Corbett-Individuals can resist injustice, but
  only a community can do justice.

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The Circle of CourageStage II The Road Map to
Success

• Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas
• Role models moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed
• Identify road blocks
• Identify resources
• Identify actions

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The Circle of CourageStage III Building the
Road to Success

• Analysis of Moral/Ethical Dilemmas
• Personal moral/ethical dilemmas are analyzed
• Identify personal road blocks
• Identify personal resources
• Create and implement a personal action plan

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The Circle of CourageStage IV Traveling the
Road to Success

• Implementation
• Student begins to follow the action plan
• Adult support continues for the next two
  semesters after completing the curriculum
• Key to successfully turning around under
  achievement.

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The Circle of CourageResources

• Brendtro, L., Van Bockern S., Brokenleg, M.
  (2002). Reclaiming youth at risk Our hope for
  the future.
• Higgins, L.D., Nielsen, E., (2007).
  Investigating moral courage.