This is the first I heard of the VIA Institute on Character. I plan on connecting my colleagues who are doing research on moral injury with our military/veteran student population. I believe there are some valuable relationships to be explored. Also, I particularly like the exercise - close eyes, breathe, the focus on a strength...I will apply this in both my home and work environments. Finally, I am trained in LEGO Serious Play - I think it would be a great activity to "build" out each of the virtues/character traits as part of our "warm-up" sessions.
I intend to have my students take the VIA character strength survey so they can identify their strengths and can use those to their advantage throughout their education.
We are so used to focusing on our own (and others') weaknesses, it is refreshing to observe, focus on, and discover our strengths AND apply them.
I think this is something important to all teachers, especially the virtues.
Again, some great suggestions for identifying and building character strengths.
I made a table of the 6 Virtues and 24 Strengths for ease of recall. I might even post this on my mirror so I can focus on 1-2 as I start my day.
