After returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan, two West Point grads and American patriots, Mike Erwin and Jeff Bryan, asked themselves, “What does our country need and how can we help?” Their goal was to make the country a better place not just for the future of their children, but for all children. Consequently, the Positivity Project was born.
Erwin and Bryan founded the Positivity Project (P2) in 2015. P2 is a character education program that aims to improve the long-term quality of life for all students and help them become their best selves.
P2 launched in 2016 with 33 schools, seeking to fulfill the organization’s original motto, “Other People Matter.” Since then, P2 has expanded to over 800 schools.
What is the reason for this amazing growth? In a word: SUCCESS!
Parents support P2 because unlike other social-emotional learning (SEL) or character education programs that undermine parental authority and even consider parents roadblocks, P2 embraces parental involvement. This program strengthens family relationships while giving parents additional insight into the P2 curriculum.
P2 is 100% transparent to parents, who are welcome to access the entire curriculum. The 24 character lessons covered by P2 can be embraced by all parents. In addition, P2 does NOT collect data on students other than to track program effectiveness in-house.
Educators support P2 because of its ease of implementation and flexible 15-minute lessons. Unlike other SEL programs, which eat up three to five hours per week of academic time, P2 messages are only one hour and 15 minutes per week. Thanks to a decrease in discipline problems and an increase in student cooperation, likely spawned by the program, educators are grateful to also see an improvement in academics.
And last, but by no means least, P2 does not promote political or woke social agendas, unlike many programs already in Alabama schools. You won’t find critical race theory, identity politics, anti-American propaganda, or gender confusion in the P2 curriculum.
Parents, find out which SEL program is in your child’s school. If it’s listed on the following website, it is a red flag: https://pg.casel.org/review-programs/.
Then take the time to meet Erwin and Bryan by watching their story:
Learn about their program. Read the endorsements from teachers and students. Take advantage of their free trial. Share it with your school board and school administrators. Your school has nothing to lose, but much to gain. I have no doubt; you will be impressed.
Pat Ellis is a board member of Eagle Forum of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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