A Character Education program was launched by the Buffalo Bills and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. It's called 'Character Playbook'. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley says it focuses on character development for middle school students.
This new program was launched for the first time for students from Buffalo Public School #33 and Hamburg Middle School. They appeared in the Bills 'team meeting' room at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills Play-by-Play radio voice John Murphy students through a panel discussion inside the Bills 'team meeting' room on character building. The panelists included Bills Quarterback Tyrod Taylor who encouraged students to 'have a plan' in place for their daily actions.
“Having a plan each and every day when you wake up and not going with the flow. I know, as a young kid, it’s definitely easy just to follow your friends, follow your classmates, but understanding that you’re living for a purpose and your purpose isn’t just to go with the flow. Wake up each day striving for something and work toward that each and every day,” advised Taylor.
In the classroom, 'Character Playbook' is an interactive digital program. It teaches strategies on building positive character development. It's already been implemented at schools in the Buffalo region. Students how to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships with classmates and friends. It’s similar to how the Bills work on building healthy relationships on and off the football field.
“Stay dedicated, work toward a goal, each day striving for greatness,” Taylor said.
A total of 20-schools are part of the kick off of this new program. Melody Baker is Director of Education at United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. The first round of selecting schools to participate is based on localities where there are high rates Child Protective Services and domestic Violence calls.
“We really try to focus on those areas first and then we spread out, but we would really like to have a very wide range of schools that can receive this program,” explained Baker.
Other panelists who participated in the launch included the Bills first female Assistant Coach Kathryn Smith. She was asked about breaking barriers.
“I think it’s really important to have good character and be consistent,” Smith said.
Smith also explained to students about expectations are high for football players. She said they want them to be the best people with best character.
“We ask the guys to get out in the community. We expect them to be good sports. Show good sportsmanship on the field with their teammates, even when we play an opponent, you known you still expect good sportsmanship, so we think it’s really important that a player be their best selves as well as being the best player they can be,” Smith explained.
Former Buffalo Bill and Director of Alumni Marlon Kerner was another panelist. Kerner said surrounding yourself with the right people makes a difference in character development.
“So I just made sure I studied the people that were in front of me. Made sure I watched their example, took what was good – said you know what that’s for me, that’s not for me,” said Kerner.
Kerner said perseverance made a difference in achieving his goals for his football career.
The Bills Assistant Director of Player Engagement James Trapp also provided his perspective on character building. Trapp deals with many young rookies and said 'character building' is a key aspect.
“Their accountable to the time we set for them to be at a certain place. Their accountable to their dream and you can kind of develop character from there because we have a dream that you are going to be accountable to that dream and you’re going to make the best choice” said Trapp.
Trapp told students there are four 'D's they should follow to strengthen their character.
“Dream, direction, decision and dedication,” remarked Trapp.
The Buffalo and Hamburg school students at the kick-off event already reviewed the 'Character Playbook' in the classroom. It includes the topic of cyber-bullying, encouraging students not to participate.
Quarterback Taylor weighed in on this issue. “You’ve got to watch what you Tweet, watch what you say. Always remember, just because you deleted it doesn’t mean that it was never seen,” warned Taylor.
Hamburg Middle School 7th grader Tyler Herman said this session really made a difference.
“I think Tyrod Taylor said ‘don’t just go with the flow – do what you want to do’ and as other people said – just be the same person, no matter what, don’t let others influence what you are doing,” said Herman.
Buffalo School #33 7th grader Randy Speller tells WBFO News cyber-bullying is one of the issues students deal with in middle school.
“What did you learn?” asked Buckley. “If there’s any problems don’t pick the bad way. Do the good thing, be the bigger person and talk it out and do anything you can not to have a big problem – a big fight,” Speller replied.