West Elementary School

Social Emotional Learning - People of Character

September - (Responsibility):

Robert Redford
Acclaimed actor/director who founded the Sundance Institute – Pursue Excellence

Nancy Reagan
Former U.S. first lady; established the "Just Say No" campaign against drug use – Duty

Alexander Graham Bell
Dedicated inventor and devoted educator of the deaf – Think Long-Term

John F. Kennedy
Former United States president – Do What You Can to Make Things Better

James Earl Jones
Well-known actor who overcame a childhood speech impediment – Be Self-Reliant

October - (Trustworthiness):

Raul Julia
Respected actor who opened doors for other Hispanics in the field – Live By Your Principles

Jane Addams
Advocate for the less fortunate whose work led her to become the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize – Build Your Reputation

Captain Ed Freeman
Army hero who risked his life to save his fellow soldiers – Be Dependable

Irena Sendler
Catholic social worker who led the rescue of 2,500 Jewish children during the Holocaust of World War II – Have the Courage to Do What is Right

November - (Citizenship):

Phil Stevens
Founder of Walking Shield, Inc., which addresses the needs of American Indians – Help Your Community Be Better

Nkosi Johnson
South African boy afflicted with HIV/AIDS who strived to help others with the disease – Do Your Share

Sister Dorothy Stang
Nun who lost her life working to protect the Amazon rainforest and the rights of Brazilian peasants – Pursue the Common Good

Paul Tran
Teen creator of the BUDDY peer tutoring/mentorship program – Respect Authority and Law

December - (Caring):

Emily and Sarah Buder
Teen sisters who strive to increase awareness and understanding about bullying – Be Compassionate

Frederick Douglass
Influential 19th century African American who battled slavery – Be Empathetic

Paul Newman
Much-loved actor and cofounder of the Newman’s Own Foundation – Be Altruistic

Kay Yow
Inspirational and pioneering college basketball coach – Be Kind and Loving

Jonathan Marrero
Massachusetts boy who took action to save both people’s jobs and his school’s library in the wake of a public school system budget deficit – Help People in Need

January - (Fairness):

Ralph Bunche
The first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – Hear People Out

Haruka Nishimatsu
Japan Airlines CEO who has earned great respect from his employees; when forced to cut their salaries, he also cut his own – Make Decisions Without Favoritism

Rosa Parks
Civil rights activist who in 1955 refused to surrender her bus seat to a white man – Be Fair

Patty Talahongva
The first American Indian to host a national news program – Be Impartial

February - (Respect):

Marciano Cruz
Mentor who works to keep youth off the streets – Resolve Disagreements Peacefully

Dr. Benjamin Carson Sr.
Honored physician, philanthropist, and mentor – Tell Others How to Make Good Choices

Caroline Herschel
Woman who toppled the gender barriers of her time by becoming the first female to discover a comet – Judge Others on Abilities, Not Gender

Ernie Davis
The first African American to win football’s Heisman Trophy – Be Civil to Everyone

March - (Respect):

Sandra Cisneros
Award-winning Mexican American writer who works to build stronger communities and enact social change by nonviolent means – Nonviolence

Dr. Kalpana Chawla
Astronaut who became the first Indian woman to journey into space – Respect the Freedom of All Individuals

Evan Ducker
Teen whose book Buddy Booby’s Birthmark promotes acceptance of others – Accept Those Who Are Different From You

Noriyuki "Pat" Morita
Actor who, as a child, overcame a debilitating illness and life in an internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor – Tolerance

Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace
Young athletes who selflessly helped their opponent claim a home run during a college softball game – Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated

April - (Trustworthiness):

Shawn Johnson
Olympic medalist who supports the "Exercising Your Character" program – Integrity

Margaret Thatcher
Britain’s first female prime minister – Be Forthright

Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Prominent American Indian tribal chief, politician, and veteran – Reliability

Ty’Sheoma Bethea
South Carolina student who, in eighth grade, wrote to the U.S. Congress about the deplorable conditions at her school – Stick Up for Your School

May - (Caring):

Fred Rogers ("Mr. Rogers")
Creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – Forgive Others’ Shortcomings

Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Olympic track and field star who created a foundation to improve the lives of those in both her hometown and communities worldwide – Give Support to Make Someone Else’s Life Better

Anthony Muñoz
Professional football player known for his commitment to his community and its youth – Express Gratitude for What People Do for You

Kyle Petty
NASCAR driver who has established year-round camps for seriously ill children – Give Comfort to Make Someone Else’s Life Better

June - (Fairness) - (Citizenship):

Lena Horne
Jazz singer and actress who broke many racial barriers of her time – Justice

Michael Browne
Eagle Scout and angler who organized "Get the Lead Out of Fishing" to rid waterways of harmful lead fishing weights – Protect the Environment by Cleaning Up After Yourself

Sara Martinez Tucker
America’s top federal higher education official; works to make education beyond high school a possibility for all Americans – Be Open-Minded

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Africa’s first female president – Honor Principles of Democracy

Anthony Robles
Young champion wrestler born with only one leg – Treat People Equally