Keep It Simple, Make It Real: Character Development in Grades 6-12

“This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and impressive work should be on every administrator’s and character educator’s desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people.”
—Edward DeRoche, Director
Character Development Center, University of San Diego

“Needed in the character education movement for a long time, this book is written by a principal who’s been leading the way and now shows how we can help students develop their character without sacrificing academic standards. It’s easy to read, well organized, and, most important, contains hundreds of practical strategies that work.”
—Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Redwood City, CA
Author, Lessons From The Classroom

A powerful tool for influencing students’ attitudes and behaviors!

Based on current research, solid theory, and real experiences, this resource provides school leaders with a comprehensive yet practical framework for creating and sustaining a schoolwide character development program. Real-world scenarios tackle tough issues such as vandalism, truancy, chronic tardiness, and bullying, and demonstrate how to bring about positive change. The book thoughtfully addresses factors that may keep students from developing positive attitudes and helps educators:

1. Evaluate student behavior, staff morale, and school climate
2. Target real problems with commonsense strategies that can dramatically turn around student behavior
3. Assess a character development program’s effectiveness

About The Author:
Jan Olsson has been an elementary and secondary teacher, a high school department head in physical and health education and student services, a vice-principal, and for the past two years was chairperson of the Trillium Lakelands District school board’s character development committee. Currently, he is principal of Huntsville High School and co-chair of Schools That Shine with Character, a national character education conference organized by Huntsville High School.

Olsson completed his master's of character education at the University of San Diego. He is also a professional musician, a basketball coach of 25 years, and enjoys speaking on topics related to character education. Olsson is specifically interested in school-based administration and interpersonal relationships, and the impact that modeling character development can have on creating a positive school climate. Keep It Simple, Make It Real: Character Development in Grades 6-12 is his first book.