Beeville ISD teachers recently attended the character education workshop entitled “Capturing Kids’ Hearts.” This program which, through the generosity of the Barnhart Foundation, the school district has been able to send teachers for training, has been in place in Beeville ISD for several years.

During these lively sessions, which are held in Round Top and last for three days, participants receive an interactive training guide that facilitates their continued development. The training staff consists of award-winning former and current teachers who have taught in diverse school environments across the country. Some of the skills that are learned during the training include how to develop self-managing classrooms and decrease discipline issues through innovative techniques such as a social contract.

Participants also learn how to decrease delinquent behaviors such as disruptive outbursts, violent acts and drug use. In addition, they learn to build classroom rapport and teamwork to create a safe, trusting learning environment while developing students’ empathy for diverse cultures and backgrounds. All of this helps to increase classroom attendance by building students’ motivation and helping them take responsibility for their actions and performance.