Cast of characters teaches students how to succeed in life

Teacher is recognized for educational program

By Kathy Gresey

Lakeland Press May 20-26, 2005

Students at Woodview Elementary School have been building their characters in new ways.  They are getting help from animals.

Children at the school are being taught how to handle life’s toughest situations from such animals as Friendship Frog and Behavior Bear in a program developed by Woodview Teacher Joni Downey.

Downey is a kindergarten and first-grade teacher at the K-4 elementary school and her program “Characters of Character” has been recognized nationally.  Through the use of nine cartoon animal characters, Downey’s program strives to teach children how to make positive decisions, treat others well and succeed in life.

Those characters were displayed in an end of the year assembly at Woodview last Friday. 

“The kids appreciate it,” said Downey of her program.  “It’s just so rewarding.”

Downey said she came up with her cast of characters after teaching a similar program with puppets years ago. 

She said she thinks her program is successful because it puts situations into perspective for students.

For example, if a child is called into the principal’s office for behavior, the principal could ask them if Behavior Bear would have behaved that way.  Downey said her character can aid children in making good decisions. 

Principal Jennifer Glickley said the program has had a wonderful affect on children.  She added that the assembly in which every student played the part of one of Downey’s characters was amazing.

“(The assembly) was 100 percent created and developed by our students,” she said, “The Fourth-graders were the brains behind it.  (Downey) definitely deserves to be recognized.”

Downey was honored for her work at the assembly.  She received a bouquet of flowers from some of the school’s students.

As part of the recognition her program may be used by other teachers across the nation.