Over the course of three days in late October, Brilla Public Charter Schools had the extraordinary privilege of hosting academics, policymakers, researchers, directors and principals from around the country as part of the Kern Partners for Character and Educational Leadership (KPCEL) and KERN Foundation Character Education Walk. This immersive experience offered these distinguished guests an in-depth look at the industry-leading character education programming that Brilla has meticulously developed. The visit provided an authentic window into how our programming is not only a core part of the Brilla experience but is also embodied seamlessly by our staff, families, students, and school leaders. The guests engaged with our community and saw firsthand how character formation is intentionally integrated into every facet of our schools, from classroom instruction to community interactions.
As part of the visit, our guests explored two campuses: Brilla College Prep Elementary (BCPE) and Brilla College Prep Middle (BCPM), where they centered their observations around a pressing Problem of Practice (PoP). The focus was clear: As Brilla continues to prioritize the character formation of every community member, we are determined to ensure our programs not only foster positive character development but are also measured comprehensively and effectively. With the pilot introduction of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system for grades K-8, we are grappling with the question: Are students demonstrating virtuous behavior in classrooms where teachers consistently use virtue-based language in Tier I instruction? The observations aimed to assess whether the PBIS system reflects the true impact on our students’ behavior and virtue formation.
The resounding feedback from our visitors was overwhelmingly positive. They witnessed the seamless integration of virtue language and academic content, particularly with teachers like Ms. Rojas, Ms. Taylor, Ms Onana, and Ms. Ramirez at BCPE.
These teachers exemplified how to effortlessly weave the “Core Four” virtues into classroom instruction, demonstrating a rich understanding of virtue-based teaching that goes beyond surface-level implementation.
At the middle school level, Ms. Naughton and Mr. Gainey impressed the group by connecting learning objectives to character examples, making lessons not just academically rigorous but also deeply meaningful in the context of character development.
This integration was also evident in specialized settings, such as Ms. Kusinski’s small group instruction and Ms. Kwan’s Phonics and TLB sessions, where virtue language enhanced the learning experience for students.
Participants in the Character Education Walk didn’t just observe but also participated in an immersive experience of adult character formation, mirroring the same experiences that Brilla staff undergo. This added a unique dimension to their visit, allowing them to appreciate the commitment and intentionality that Brilla invests in shaping not just students but the adults who support them. The visitors left with an enhanced understanding of how deeply rooted our character formation efforts are and how our adult formation programs align with the virtues we aim to instill in our students.
The exceptional integration of character education at Brilla is not by accident but a result of the relentless dedication and collective work of our educators over the past ten years. It is because of this commitment that Brilla has become internationally recognized for our approach to character education. Our mission transcends superficial practices and embodies our strategic priorities: Wisdom Accelerated, Empowerment is our Standard, and Love Centers our Community. Thanks to our educators’ steadfast dedication, Brilla continues to set the standard for what holistic, integrated character education should look like.
In conclusion, the Character Education Walk not only validated our current efforts but also fueled our commitment to continuous improvement. The feedback from these distinguished guests reaffirms that our work is transformative and impactful, proving that Brilla’s approach to character formation is an exemplary model that inspires others in education worldwide.
We extend our deepest gratitude to teachers and leaders who graciously opened their classrooms to these adult learners. Additionally, Ms. Emily Brooks and Mr. Andrew Ketchum served as our Brilla Schools Network representatives hosting and curating the experience for our visitors.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 