Character First/Caractere D'abord (Report‪)‬

The distinguished American writer Harney Rubin once commented, "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." Character is to the life what vitality is to the flower. Even a cursory glance at current social concerns points to the need for a renewed emphasis on developing in every individual an inner guide, an ethical vision, or, as many commonly say now, a "moral compass." The Hyde School founder Joseph Gauld remarked that the current educational system focused too much on students' academic achievements and overlooked the cultivation of their character. Gauld felt strongly that the American education system was failing young people, so he did something about it. In 1966, he founded Hyde School and based the curriculum on developing strong character in young people. This American middle school operates on the principle that if you teach students the merit of such values as truth, courage, integrity, leadership, curiosity and concern, then academic achievement naturally follows. Albert Einstein also clarifies people's misconception by concluding that it is character which makes a great scientist instead of intellect.