Local Educators Pitch Plan to Teach Character the "Wright Way"

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, MI - by Jackie Lutey - Wednesday, September 29, 2010 - On Tuesday Evening, September 28, 2010, at the Gogebic Community College Lindquist Center Courtside Dining Area, “The Wright Way” character education organization met to garner community support for their program.

Superintendant of schools, Tim Kolesar, started the evening by explaining that the organization was started after Denise Woodward and Marcy Kusz visited Jefferson, Wisconsin, in order to learn about the character education program there. In Jefferson, they met the main speaker for the evening, Sandy Swartz.

Sandy was acting as the volunteer coordinator for the Jefferson Wisconsin School District character education program - the "Jefferson Way." Under the leadership of Mrs. Swartz, the Jefferson Schools were named a “National School District of Character” by the Character Education Partnership of Washington, D.C. During her talk, Mrs. Swartz explained how she feels that the pressures of modern society are negatively impacting the character development of young people. She believes that schools have a responsibility to teach and model good values.

The Jefferson Way from Matthew Batta on Vimeo.

For the final event of the evening, Denise Woodward presented a brief history of Ironwood Area Schools. Her presentation showed the historical implications of the motto “The Wright Way”. Luther Lamphear Wright was the first superintendant of Ironwood Schools and served in that position for nearly thirty years. She also showed pictures of early building and people throughout the years.

In an effort for the organization to become self supporting, they are selling a “The Wright Way” tee shirt is available for ten dollars. For more information call the L.L. Wright High School Office at 906 932-0932.