Creating Character In Youth

In this school culture keynote, Tim King discusses the four elements to improve the education system. King is the founder and CEO of Urban Prep Academies, a network of all male charter public high schools in Chicago, and works to create students who will become positive contributors to society. Believing that it is not about the school structures but rather the school culture that helps to changes lives, King uses the four Rs to build better students.

King provides examples of how Urban Prep Academies implement the four Rs which are respect, responsibility, rituals and relationship. For respect, teachers at the school consistently refer to the students as Mr. or Sir. By coming to them at a different way, the students are more likely to respect the adult, their peers and themselves. By providing small responsibilities that last throughout their years at school, students are continually reinforced. Rituals provide an expectation, so when seniors are admitted to college in front of the entire school they can change their red tie for a red and gold tie.

And the most important element is relationship, because children need to know that there is someone who really cares about them. Creating this culture at any school is possible and it places students in a position to pursue success.