The Character Effect™

Citibank of Northern Kentucky has been a valued partner and generous supporter of The Character Effect™ for the past two years. The organization has committed to supporting the program not only financially, but with their time and talent as well. To kick off the new school year, Citi wanted to make a big impact with their donation of over 800 backpacks to students in the Erlanger-Elsmere School District. This incredible donation along with their financial and social support helps these students be prepared to succeed and thrive. “Early childhood education has always been one of the key priorities where we feel that we can make the longest lasting impact in our region. We were very excited years ago to begin the partnership with Beech Acres and support The Character Effect™ program because we believe in the mission and we believe in the value of what it produces for not only for the students but their parents, guardians, and family and the staff of course thats helping implement and integrate this program,” Niki Lunsford, Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs, Citi. Along with the impressive donation of backpacks and school supplies, Niki Lunsford from Citi shared this heartfelt video message of gratitude on behalf of everyone at Citi to the teachers and staff at Erlanger Elsmere schools who have worked so hard amongst so much uncertainty the last two years to be present for their students and their families. Citi staff and Beech Acres staff partnered to deliver the backpacks and message to the schools to help kick the school year off with an overabundance of positivity. The teachers and administration were thrilled and overwhelmed with the generosity, but not as excited as the students were to receive awesome new backpacks. “Thank you, and thanks to Citi, for providing our staff and students with this incredible opportunity. I can’t tell you how nice it is to hear such a positive, supportive, and heartfelt thanks from Citi. Thank you, and Citi, for your partnership!” Chad D. Molley, Superintendent, Erlanger-Elsmere Schools. Learn more about The Character Effect™, our unique social and emotional learning program, and find out how, together with partners like Citi, we are helping build resilient students through a focus on their unique strengths and the power of positive psychology.

“The Character Effect™ has impacted me on two different levels.” Teacher and mom Tiffany Gruen is in a unique position to understand The Character Effect™, the social and emotional curriculum based on mindfulness and character strengths. The program has been implemented at the school she teaches and in the school her son attends. “I noticed my son using mindful breathing techniques that neither my husband nor I had taught him,” Tiffany said. “To see this application of self-regulation away from school was inspiring.” Tiffany and her son attended The Character Effect™ Family Bingo night at Sands Montessori soon after she began to notice her son’s mindful behavior. Tiffany was impressed. “Not only did the event bring my family together in a unique way, but it introduced me to The Character Effect™ curriculum, awakening my understanding of its impact on my child,” she said. After witnessing the positive impact The Character Effect™ had on her son, his classmates and his teachers at Sands first-hand, Tiffany was excited to see the program implemented at Miles Elementary in Erlanger, Kentucky where she is an Instructional Coach. “As an educator, I know there are a million barriers that our students can face, yet we only have so many tools in our toolkit,” she said. “The Character Effect™ curriculum and coaching provides a “how-to” to address the self- regulation needs of all students.” The Character Effect™ curriculum is designed to increase children’s social-emotional competencies, increase parent engagement in their child’s education, and improve teachers’ satisfaction by helping them get back the joy of teaching kids. The program aims to achieve these aspirations by first helping teachers, students, and parents discover and build their unique character strengths. “I’ve seen students in our pilot classes utilize the techniques and “strength spot” one another outside of their classrooms,” Tiffany observed. The Character Effect™ also models how to effectively use mindfulness in the classroom, at home, and anywhere else they may need it. “Not only do they actively engage with the mindful moments and strength-based approach, but, more importantly, they transfer those skills outside of the classroom and into their lives.” To learn more about The Character Effect™ visit https://thecharactereffect.org