Thursday, April 17, 2008




Alright, since my wonderful wife created this blog – she does the computer stuff, the brains of the operation – I guess I should tell y’all some things, how this began, etc. But I wanna be short and simple…

I started the “I am who I choose to be” / self-ownership thing at a high school with under 600 students. The concept was incomplete at best. This high school used these specific Pillars, yet they were written entirely different. Tolerance came to mind soon after. And so on.

Somewhere in this, in the 2002-03 year, I was named “Teacher of the Year” for the Fowler Unified District as well as Fowler High School itself. This in partly because of the beginnings of this program, but other things as well. It was an intense year that was very cool.

I left the next year, to pursue this project full time, yielding very little money. I’m also a real estate broker, and did business during the boom.

The total dollar amount into this project, right now, is around $75,000. Count a 15,000 piece mailing at $2.25 each, plus, prior to it becoming “a real evil,” I sent out a spam of 25,000 @ .30 each name, plus the vendors charge for sending. Then printing – these are done on huge industrial presses, and on and on and on. It added up quick.

So, are we going to lay down and watch these kids tank? Drop out rates are 50% and better across the US – not as a national average, but in large areas.

I believe the current lack of values is at the lowest point it’s been in recorded history.

Ahhh. The Internet, home alone. Allowing these kids instant access to things we adults would have never even thought of watching, let alone having the ability. With Mom and Dad working, it’s now latch key kids with the Internet. Home alone.

I think this is the greatest issue facing education today. “Solve for X,” is the answer, and this is X. It is the root cause of all other issues.

Think it through, but this is a true statement.

It isn’t like it has been in the past. This situation is not comparable. This is something altogether new. THINK: Internet usage.

Ok, later, soon I sure… next entry will be shorter – had to fill you in. I’ll run this one from time to time I’m sure.

dave


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

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Today's lectures were the last two for Sunnyside High of the seven.
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The largest school in Fresno Unified at about 3400 students, everything's gone smooth with lots of positive & loving feedback from the audience.
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Good reflections from teachers and staff continue to come in.
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Whole lotta love in that room....

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Outside View





One of the BIG Banners....


Up & Running at Sunnyside, Fresno


Dave - First Day of Talks


The first day of lectures started out great. Two lectures with around 900 kids.
Roughly 2800 freshmen through juniors are scheduled to attend the MPC talks during seven lectures at the largest school in Fresno County. Some seniors will participate, but the school has not made their attendance mandatory.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

A Warm Welcome!

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We began in 2001, and at this date, finally are achieving the beginning levels of success. This timing was needed to develop a thorough program that causes immediate and tangible affects within each unique individual.

Here you are able to read about the process that Making Positive Choices has gone through, is going through, and will be going through in the future. As a Character Education program that is seeking to spread its' wings globally, you will see the process unfold to its' current state, which we feel is both internally and externally valid within itself as a program and with the world as a whole.

Please, comment on these blog entries!

Thoughts, sharing, reflections, results, a little bit of everything....

It's going to be an awesome ride. So - Join us! Yo, let's BLOG!!! Anonymous comments are welcome as well. All feedback is "good" feedback.

Dave Carey
Founder - Teacher