Birchwood Blog

 

The first two articles of this series focused on the “what” and “why” of good character education. 

The “what” defines good character as the aggregate of habituated virtues which, in the collective, leads to personal growth and enduring happiness. The “why” responds to the impact that good character has on the course of an individual’s life, and it places character development in a contemporary setting which triggers a call for action. 

As I noted last month, you don’t need to spend too much time at Birchwood before you realize the importance we place on nurturing good character. Good character describes the collection of habituated virtues that support and empower a person to grow, thrive, and flourish. 

By HELENE DEBELAK
Director of Curriculum
Founder-in-Residence

Character development is a vital aspect of our mission and the Leadership Program for seventh and eighth graders is the capstone opportunity for students to showcase the habits they have built over their years at Birchwood School of Hawken.

Lives of Becoming

By Dr. Ryan Wooley
Associate Head of School

I grew up in a town called Mogadore, located roughly between Akron and Kent. It was – and is – the smallest public school district in Summit County. 

 

I graduated in a class of 64 students. Of the roughly 125 boys in the high school, to this day 80 some join the school’s football team each year. Most of my class sizes were probably in the range of 12 to 15 students. There were no cuts in sports, theatre, or any other activity, which was great for a dilettante like me who wanted to do everything.

by HELENE DEBELAK
Director of Curriculum

For 40 years, Birchwood has aimed to fulfill our mission: “ ... to equip children to lead a life of becoming - growing, thriving, and flourishing – through the development of intellect and character.” 

 

Our teachers have planted seeds of good character in young hearts and laid a foundation for academic excellence in eager minds. Birchwood prepares children to embrace their teen years and young adulthood, ready and able to grasp opportunities, face challenges, and overcome obstacles. THAT’s Birchwood’s story. 

By HELENE DEBELAK
Director of Curriculum

As Birchwood School of Hawken celebrates its 40th anniversary, we note also the 40th anniversary of the school’s participation in National History Day (NHD). 

We recognized that this program upheld our mission, i.e., to offer opportunities for all students to set attainable goals according to their potential. This could be accomplished by way of signature programs that would immerse them in a subject over a long stretch of time. This, in turn, would allow students to authentically experience the skills and habits of mind of that subject. Rather than merely “learning” a subject, they would become historians, scientists, mathematicians, writers, and readers. 

By CHARLES DEBELAK
Head of School

Abraham Maslow, the father of humanistic psychology, claimed that every person has a strong internal desire to reach their full potential. It is simply human to grow, thrive and become the best version of yourself. 

Since the founding of Birchwood School, we have recognized the value of quality academic competitions. Quality, of course, is the operative word. It means the competition affords children academic and character benefits, and it is not an event that focuses only on winning or losing.  

I have a famous and timeless adage posted in my classroom. It reads, “Watch your thoughts because they will become your words. Watch your words because they will become your actions. Watch your actions for they will become your habits. Watch your habits for they will become your character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.”