Nominations for the annual Kids of Character Awards open today and will remain open through September 26 for students in Tulare County school programs who are exhibiting great character. Teachers, parents, and family members are encouraged to nominate Kids of Character as part of the 30th annual CHARACTER COUNTS! Week Celebration (October 19-25).

The nomination form can be found at tcoe.org/kidsofcharacter.

The Six Pillars of Character that students can be nominated for are:
TRUSTWORTHINESS - Being honest, telling the truth and keeping promises
RESPECT - Treating others the way you would like to be treated
RESPONSIBILITY - Doing what you are supposed to do
FAIRNESS - Playing by the rules
CARING - Being helpful, kind and generous
CITIZENSHIP – Doing your share in your family and community

To support Tulare County educators who are building or strengthening their character education programs, the CHARACTER COUNTS! (CC!) office offers a variety of free resources, including its annual two-day training, classroom materials, and in-person instructional support.

The annual fall two-day training will be held August 27 and September 3. This full-day training will help participants learn more about CC! and why character development matters for a positive school climate, academic success, and social-emotional growth. Tulare County teachers and administrators are invited to the training to learn how CC! strategies help students build self-awareness, self-management and decision-making skills, social awareness, and relationship skills. Registration is available at https://tulare.k12oms.org/1530-268754.

Additionally, CC! provides consulting to help school teams implement and sustain a successful character education program, showing that CHARACTER COUNTS! is an integrated approach that complements existing curricula. Services include on-site professional development coaching and staff training, recognition events, family nights, and leadership opportunities, and grade-specific lessons aligned to SEL and state standards.

For questions about building your character education or sportsmanship programs, contact Zoty Briceño, CHARACTER COUNTS! curriculum specialist, at zoty.briceno@tcoe.org.

Teacher leaders, coaches, and district and site administrators are invited to join the 2025-26 Math Leadership Network, with its kickoff meeting August 27 at the Doe Avenue Complex. Over the course of three meetings, participants will explore the 2023 California Mathematics Framework, prepare for textbook adoption, and plan effective math instruction. Each session will focus on instructional leadership, collaboration, and coaching to enhance student reasoning and problem-solving. Participants will leave with actionable steps grounded in continuous improvement to strengthen instruction and support professional learning in their schools.

Network meetings will be held at the Doe Avenue Complex August 27, December 4, and March 19 from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Optional afternoon sessions will be offered each day and include discussions of high-quality instructional materials and their implementation, developing and sustaining a professional learning system, and models and strategies for effective professional learning.

To join the network, register at http://tulare.k12oms.org/147-267314. For more mathematics professional learning opportunities, visit tcoe.org/ERS/Math. 

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Jaime Burnitzki, Zoty Briceño, Kathleen Green-Martins, Stephanie Verners

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