What is Character Counts! and why does the museum use it?

Character Counts! is a nationally recognized program developed by the Josephson Institute that the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force adopted to help instill better character into local students.  Students need the correct tools to be successful in school and life. Character Counts! uses the six universal character traits of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship to create a positive learning environment where all students enter ready to learn and be better people outside the classroom as well.  The museum realized that we have thousands of stories within our museum and archives that demonstrate strong admirable character traits and we needed to be able to share those stories with every person we could and Character Counts! helps us to reach this goal. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force and the Chatham County School District began a partnership to help local schools implement Character Counts! and the museum has raised significant dollars for this partnership to help impact every student's life.

The great thing about Character Counts! is that it intertwines seamlessly into the curriculum the museum, teachers and Chatham County School District are already teaching.  The academics of literature, science, social studies, history and even math lessons that are taught on a daily basis are integrated with the Character Counts! six traits to also help teach students how to have strong character and work to be a better person in some way every day. Character Counts! uses the TEAM approach to teaching these traits- Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model. Being integrated into their curriculum every day, all day helps reinforce each trait and its importance.

For more information about Character Counts! tours or training please contact the Education Department at 912-748-8888 ext. 102 or email at jhanna@mightyeighth.org