Opening Doors, Sharing Hope: Educators Experience Character in Action During Hope Leadership Academy Site Visits
Last month, classrooms across Alabama became learning spaces not only for students, but for fellow educators. Hope Leadership Academy (HLA) participant schools opened their doors to fellow educators from across the program for a series of inspiring school site visits. These visits are a key component of both Year 1 and Year 2 of Hope Leadership Academy, The Hope Institute’s three-year journey designed to strengthen school culture and embed character development into every aspect of school life.
During the visits, participants stepped inside classrooms, observed daily routines, and experienced character education in action. From morning meetings that set a positive tone for the day to academic lessons that intentionally reinforce core values, host schools demonstrated practical strategies for cultivating character in students.
Seeing these practices firsthand provided educators with meaningful ideas they could bring back to their own schools. Many participants noted that observing how character-building efforts are woven throughout the school day helped them better envision how these approaches could take shape in their own schools.
When asked what they planned to take back with them, the response from educators was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One participant shared, “Everything! I know we have to start small, but it is so evident that the students here are loved, safe, and representing their school in a positive way.”
Others highlighted specific practices they were excited to implement, including strengthening their character matrices, incorporating core values more intentionally into academic lessons, and establishing routines like morning meetings, positive office referrals, and principal luncheons to celebrate students and reinforce school values.
Nearly 350 Hope Leadership Academy participants had the unique opportunity to leave their own school buildings and learn from peers who are already putting strong character initiatives into practice.
In total, 25 schools (all current Year 3 participants or members of The Hope Institute Network, our engaged alumni community) served as model schools, generously welcoming visiting educators to observe the initiatives that shape their school cultures and support the development of character in their students.
Thank you to our Host Schools:
Baker High School
Big Sandy School
Booker T. Washington K-8
Brooks Elementary School
Chelsea High School
Chickasaw Elementary School
Childersburg High School
Clanton Intermediate School
E. D. Houston Elementary School
Edgewood Elementary School
Florence Middle School
Forest Hills Elementary School
Hall-Kent Elementary School
Hartselle Intermediate School
Huntington Place Elementary School
Liberty Park Middle School
Priceville High School
Priceville Junior High School
R. F. Bumpus Middle School
Shades Cahaba Elementary School
Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights
Vestavia Hills Elementary West
Vestavia Hills High School
Westlawn Middle School
Winterboro High School
These visits serve as a powerful reminder that when educators share their work openly and learn from one another, the impact reaches far beyond a single classroom or school. By opening their doors and sharing their experiences, these host schools are helping cultivate stronger school cultures and stronger character in communities across the state. We are proud to shine a light on their impactful work.
