A Cohort of Secondary School Principals from Nairobi County are currently enrolled in a series of virtual coaching and mentorship sessions on Cultivating Virtues for Leadership (CViL). The purpose of CViL Coaching and Mentoring sessions is to help guide the school Principals on a personal and professional development journey. A journey of self-discovery and appreciation, a
deep understanding of servant leadership virtues, character education, and skills necessary to lead school transformation. The mentorship sessions are being hosted by the Centre Director for the Character Education Programme, Peter King’ori, in collaboration with stakeholders from the Center for Character and Citizenship (CCC), University of Missouri-St. Louis and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Regional Director in Nairobi County.

The third coaching and mentorship session on ‘Six Design Principles for School Improvement (PRIMED for Character Education)’ was facilitated by Prof. Marvin Berkowitz, Sanford N. McDonnell Professor of Character Education, Center for Character and Citizenship, University of Missouri-St. Louis. The discussion emphasized on the importance of character education in schools, the role of educators in shaping character, and the need for a backward design and evidence-based approach in education. Prof. Berkowitz specified that “Schools are perfectly designed for the results we are getting. If we don’t like the results, we need to redesign schools.” He highlighted the significance of prioritizing character development in schools, fostering healthy adult culture, promoting intrinsic motivation, role modelling, teaching social-emotional competencies and empowering all stakeholders in the school community. A published copy of ‘The PRIMED for Character Education” is available through this link:  www.routledge.com/9781138492554

The fourth coaching and mentorship session on ‘Leading for and with Character: Insights from My Educational Leadership Journey’ was facilitated by Dr. Lili Borrero, Director of Learning Programs at Colegio Nueva Granada (CNG), the American school in Bogotá, Colombia. Dr. Lili shared her personal journey from teacher to leader, emphasizing the importance of building caring relationships, role modeling, and creating positive school cultures. “What do excellent teachers do?” she asked, as she advised Principals to discover and strive to develop their noble purpose, build relationships that demonstrate caring and understanding, and believe that every child can learn.

The fifth coaching and mentorship session on ‘Living and Leading with Purpose: Are you just Managing the “Whats” or are you Nourishing the Flourishing?’ was facilitated by Dr. Julie Sperry, Director of Leadership, Expansion and Innovative Programming Consultant, CharacterPlus. Dr. Julie shared her own character leadership journey through the perspective of a purpose-less managing principal to becoming a purpose-full leader. She highlighted Simon Sinek concept of the Golden Circle as she said ‘people follow leaders who operate from their core; from their why; who lead with purpose and clarity.’