Overview and Conceptual Framework
The St. Mark’s approach to Character and Leadership Education is integrated in programs and curriculum across the school. We understand a boy’s growth toward leadership as a process that begins with positively engaging a community, grows into skillfully serving that community, and matures into leading the efforts of community members toward shared goals. To strengthen the character and leadership habits of our students, we introduce them to concepts and skills that we expect the boys to master in developmentally appropriate ways. We introduce, teach, and review these concepts according to a designed curricular sequence, so our students learn and practice skills that will help them thrive in boyhood and serve them well as men.
At St. Mark’s, we refer to a student’s Head, Heart, and Hands when referencing comprehensive Character and Leadership Education.
Our Approach
- A School-wide effort to help every boy become a leader of character
- Defining leadership as actions that move our communities forward sustainably from whatever roles we have in the community
- A process consisting of three stages: positive engagement, responsive service, and skilled leadership
- An approach seeking to develop in our boys wise heads, responsive hearts, and skilled hands
- Preparing each boy to thrive as he helps his communities thrive
Head (Concepts)
A good man needs knowledge of concepts that help him thrive. He will need to understand a variety of important concepts such as community, virtue, character, and responsibility, and he will need to learn how these concepts relate to him and his community.
Heart (Virtues)
A good man needs to develop essential habits of thriving. Habits of fair play, resilience, generosity, self-control, empathy, and care. He will need to internalize the behaviors of the virtues and develop a habitual response to the needs around him.
Hands (Skills)
A good man will need to care skillfully through many vital roles. Successfully giving care in these roles will require social skills, leadership skills, nurturing skills, and problem-solving skills.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
David Brown
Director of Character & Leadership Education
For 20 years, David Brown structured his English classes with the school’s Character & Leadership mission as his bedrock. Through collaboration, research, and 45 years of experience, he honed courses that became standards in the application of Character & Leadership to academic pursuit. He now manages fulltime the challenge to enhance the school’s C&L mission for grades 1 – 12.
In addition to his responsibilities with C&L, Brown sponsors St. Mark's annual Literary Festival. Before joining St. Mark’s, Brown taught English and served as language arts coordinator for grades 1-12 in the Highland Park Independent School District.
Brown holds a B.A. from Oral Roberts University, an M.A. from San Diego State University, and an M.F.A. from Pennsylvania State University.
Contact:
BrownD@smtexas.org
214-346-8148
Director of Character & Leadership Education
For 20 years, David Brown structured his English classes with the school’s Character & Leadership mission as his bedrock. Through collaboration, research, and 45 years of experience, he honed courses that became standards in the application of Character & Leadership to academic pursuit. He now manages fulltime the challenge to enhance the school’s C&L mission for grades 1 – 12.In addition to his responsibilities with C&L, Brown sponsors St. Mark's annual Literary Festival. Before joining St. Mark’s, Brown taught English and served as language arts coordinator for grades 1-12 in the Highland Park Independent School District.
Brown holds a B.A. from Oral Roberts University, an M.A. from San Diego State University, and an M.F.A. from Pennsylvania State University.
Contact:
BrownD@smtexas.org
214-346-8148
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