Our new show “S ccess is a Mater of Character” all that is missing is U
By Val Hilliker | June 9, 2013
Our new show “S ccess is a Mater of Character” all that is missing is U
Our motto for the show!
“Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for
others.”
–Source unknown
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Beyond values - Living with virtues and the five strategies of the Virtues Project for health and well-being
By Val Hilliker | March 23, 2013
Teachers care for, and desire that every student have the best learning experience in their classrooms. The Virtues Project creates a culture of character and caring, and a positive environment in which to best learn. In the workplace simpler vision and mission statements that include the virtues inspires leadership, communication and relationships that are cooperative and respectful, and in families we become peaceful, loyal and loving.
For details on the 2013 workshops in Edmonton April 15 & 16, and 17 - 19, and for Calgary in July and November visit http://www.virtuesproject.com/bylocation.html Also, on the web site find lists of virtues and the five strategies to use them.
Results & Outcomes of The Virtues Project in Our Schools, Workplaces, Organizations, Families:
- a respectful environment where everyone feels heard and understood.
- shared leadership, with better relationships and communication..
- elevated attitudes, which create a culture where we feel safer and less stressed, and free to be more creative.
- reduced bullying behaviour, anger and conflict, and in schools decreased discipline incidents and suspensions. (by half or more in a year)
- alignment with current brain-based learning and psycho/neuro/biology, which promotes well-being.
- increased engagement, achievement and attendance in the workplace and school.
Workshop Content - Learn how to apply the five strategies for bringing out the best in ourselves and others:
1. Speak the language of virtues (language that is positive encourages and elevates, and helps build character)
2. Recognize teachable moments (helps build character in ourselves and others, and inspires creativity)
3. Set clear boundaries (creates a climate of peace and safety)
4. Honour the spirit (expressing what is meaningful in our lives)
5. Offer companioning (listening with compassion)
Steven Covey - In the chapter called “Inside Out” in his book “7 habits…” he talks about the virtues as being elemental to develop our character. Also, in this chapter, he tells how he turned around the relationship with his son. It is a beautiful story about how to “Honour the Spirit”.
ALBERTA LEARNING:
- The Virtues Project has received funding from AISI, ATA (diversity and inclusion), and parent councils. The Educator’s Guide is listed as a resource with Alberta Learning.
- The Heart of the Matter; Character and Citizenship in Alberta Schools - published by Alberta Learning lists The Virtues Project as one of the programmes for character education, and is an ATA sponsored course. A PDFdownload is at http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/cross/heart-of-the-matter.aspx .
Principals realize that schools involved in a number of activities find a cohesive arrangement to plans and goals with The Virtues Project. When comprehensive plans are implemented with The Virtues Project and its appropriate materials,.students, parents and community become confident to teach and strengthen the Virtues. A staff, who whole heartedly adopts the program, uses the materials provided and supports the teaching of the virtues to their students effect positive changes in school/classroom environment and culture. Principals are realizing that The Virtues Project™ complements whatever programs that have been previously implemented such as Character Counts, Circle of Courage, Roots of Empathy, Leader in Me, The fourth “R”, etc. Virtues strategies are not an add-on curriculum. They are tools to help you more effectively handle what is already on your plate. When you use encouraging language and virtues-based discipline, students feel better and work harder.
National School of Character Award Winner, Colegio Radians, Inc., Cayey, Puerto Rico - one school’s journey in character development with virtues. Our journey with character development began in 1977. Our school recognized the importance of integral development (moral, intellectual, ethical, emotional). As a result, in 1990 we developed the SOCRATES PROJECT (our first virtues-based initiative). We attended the American Camp Association and discovered Character Counts. We were the first school to bring this program to Puerto Rico in 2003. In 2004, we underwent training and the program was adopted and implemented because it fit our philosophy. With CC, we were able to develop a structure upon which to work character development. We formed a Committee of CC, which developed activities, agendas, workshops, etc., but we felt we could do more, so students could internalize the traits. In 2007-08, we discovered CEP and attended the 15th Forum of Character Education, becoming familiar with the 11 Principles. In 2010, stakeholders (parents, students, non-academic personnel, and staff) received training by CEP which gave a greater structure and cohesiveness to our character development education. In the summer of 2010, administrators became facilitators of The Virtues Project (TVP). All members of our community received training in TVP. This helped fill the spiritual and emotional aspect of integral development of our Radians virtues-based community. We have all the elements to create and develop those characteristics within our community. The core values guide the entire decision making process.
Anecdotal evidence about positive outcomes of The Virtues Project™ :
Since The Virtues Project, staff speak more respectfully and appreciatively to each other and in a more valuing way to the students. The students show much less aggression towards the teachers and less students are sent to my office for discipline. We have come a long way in less than a year. Principal
The Virtues Project is an anti-violence/anti-bullying program, a self-esteem program, a communications program, a parenting program and more….all in one.… It has the potential to effect a lasting positive change. Youth worker Director
“Beyond behaviour management.” Disability Services
“The Virtues Project stands out over other programmes because it is so simple, it cuts across cultural and religious barriers and has had such positive results world-wide.” Community leader
“The Virtues Project is not a tool, but the foundation.” Middle School Teacher
As a parent, I have been searching and reading to further my knowledge of how to give the best to my children,… My immersion in the language of the virtues will help me to guide and protect my family forever.” Parent
The Virtues Project has helped to create more peace and gratitude within the classroom. Teacher
“We wanted to address that ethical piece of education without directly instructing about religion… Character education is imbedded in everything we do. It’s in our tone and body language because it is part of who we are.” Principal
“We can’t ignore this part of education anymore.” Learning leader for character, citizenship, and personal development of students
“I find that working with the virtues has helped me to look at life situations in a positive manner. On the playground, I hear the kids using the language of the virtues. If one kid has a problem with another they will describe their concerns using virtues. For example, they might say, “That kid wasn’t being very kind, or caring”. Overall, I think that they are nicer to each other compared to the time when I was a student here.” Youth Mentor
“The Virtues Project is a model global program for families of all cultures.” United Nations Secretariat, International Year of the Family
“The Virtues Project is a bridge between cultures.” Tahltan Elder
“The Virtues Project is one of the best things to happen to the Boys & Girls Club. It helps us respectfully address the spirit of our kids and gives new hope to us all.” Board Member, Boys and Girls Club
“The Virtues Project awakens the spirit in all people.” Liard First Nation Chief, Yukon, Canada.
A six years old described the virtues as, “what’s good about us.”
“I cannot imagine my life without The Virtues Project strategies. They are an essential part of my living day to day - mothering, partnering, coping, creating, sharing and working with others in team and organizational change.” Kay Miller, organizational consultant, New Zealand
“There are a lot of band-aids out there. The Virtues Project is the cure. It’s penicillin.” Mayor
“The Virtues Project is the best thing to come along for children and adults in a long time.” Janet Luhrs, author, The Simple Living Guide
“If you use the virtues every single time forever, there wouldn’t be any fights or wars. We would all be caring for one another.” Student, Washington State
“The Virtues Guide is the most inspiring thing I have come across in fifteen years of teaching school.” Early Childhood Education Centre
“As a teacher, I felt that in one hand I had a box of tools that I could give to my students - academic skills, trade skills - but my other hand was empty. When I found The Virtues Project, I thought ‘This is what goes in the other hand!’” Ray Tufts, Renton Alternative High School, Washington State
By far the best part of the session for me was seeing and hearing the honesty and openness of the students. They demonstrated wisdom beyond their years. Thanks for creating the atmosphere for this to occur. . . Adult advisor, Rotary Leadership Conference, Calgary , AB
“I fully support The Virtues Project which promotes such universal values as love, kindness, justice and service. May you be successful in your endeavors.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“Thanks, Donna, for giving me new tools to communicate more effectively with my family, and as a reading consultant to parents. I highly recommend your workshop. Everyone will benefit from working with you.” Vera Goodman, reading consultant to parents, and author of three books - Simply Read; Simply Write; Simply Too Much Homework
” The Virtues Project has powerful benefits for teachers who practice it, and who, therefore, work in a culture of character and respect. I have experienced this as the most profound change in all of my years of teaching. TVP has invigorated my teaching, improved my relationship with my students and their parents and my colleagues, and given me confidence and idealism towards what often can seem like a thankless and overwhelming job.” Gillian, Teacher
“After meeting with you at the WP Puppet Conference, where you did a session on The Virtues Project, I realized that there was a better way to teach about friendship and respect - not only in my personal life, but in the way I presented my puppet shows in schools and churches. I was showing people how to solve relationship problems by first presenting them with two puppets fighting. After listening to you, I decided that there was a much better way by recognizing the virtues within us. My puppets no longer fight to get the same message across and I love the results that I’ve been getting from applying the strategies of the Virtues Project. Thanks for all your help, you’ve not only changed the way I parent, but you’ve changed the way I present my shows.” Val Hilliker, Comedy Ventriloquist, www.valhilliker.com
“The Virtues Project is a conflict resolution tool of the highest calibre.” Pat, a Calgary H.S. resource teacher,
“Donna’s facilitation of The Virtues Project brought unity to a subject matter that is often seen as vague. Her integrity and enthusiasm for her work was contagious.” Allyson, Teacher
“With the increasing focus on dealing with bullying in our schools, this project provides tools for not only dealing with bullying in a way that is restorative rather than punitive, but acknowledging and bringing into awareness virtues that live in potential in all our children, indeed, in all of us. We had a presentation for one of our Parent/School Council Conference and it was extremely well-received.” Christine, Mom
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a web site encouraging creativity, wow nice!
By Val Hilliker | March 21, 2013
http://pathwaytoempowerment.com/index.html
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new link to more exciting ventriloquist things
By Val Hilliker | March 15, 2013
Here is an awesome link that Maggie fourn to share
http://www.theaterseatstore.com/ventriloquist-theater
Val Hilliker Comedy Ventriloquist
Certified LTTA artist
World Laughter Leader
Virtues Project Master Facilitator
toll free 1 855 482-5542
land 403-843-3663
www.valhilliker.com
val@valhilliker.com
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Cold Lake 2013
By Val Hilliker | February 8, 2013
30 Cold Lake Sun Tuesday, February 5, 2013
http://valhilliker.com/news.htm
Ventriloquist visits elementary schools
PHOTOS BY THERESA SERAPHIM/ COLD LAKE SUN
Ventriloquist Val Hilliker visited Holy Cross and St. Dominic’s Jan. 31 to present her sessions on values. Please see more pictures on Pages 31 and 32.
Ventriloquist teaches values
Ventriloquist Val Hilliker used (from top) Mr. C (as in caterpillar) and Winnie the Pooh to teach
children at Holy Cross and St. Dominic’s School about values such as respect for others. Hilliker
presented separate programs to older and younger students, using a “Camp Courage” theme for
the latter to reinforce values such as courage.
Hilliker uses puppets to instill values
Val Hilliker
Val@valhilliker.com
World Laughter Leader
Virtues Project Master Facilitator
http://valhilliker.com
Toll free 1 855 484 5542 1 855 I Talk 42
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Conquer Cruelty with Compassion, Kindness and Empathy
By Val Hilliker | January 9, 2013
Comedy Ventriloquist and Virtues Project Master Facilitator, Val Hilliker is continuing to reinforce Virtues in Schools to alleviate aggressive behavior in students.
Val and her puppets give the students the tools needed to replace aggression or passivity with virtues such as tolerance, respect and assertiveness. This equates to a cooperative and peaceful social structure.
Val’s hilarious one hour show makes a lasting impression on students of all ages.
For Information, videos, testimonials and teacher packages visit www.valhilliker.com
Val and her husband, Kelly, are LTTA certified and also have a 3 or 5 day Artist in Residence tailored to compliment your curriculum.
Call 1-855-482-5542 to book Val for your school.
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Learn to Vent with Val Hilliker, Comedy Ventriloquist
By Val Hilliker | December 10, 2012
Watch for Val Dec. 10 on Shaw cable, channel 10’s Go Calgary at 6:00 P.M. www.shaw.ca/ShawTV/Calgary/Shows/ShawTV/
1-855-Italk42
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New testimonial
By Val Hilliker | December 10, 2012
At Faith Covenant in Bretton,Christmas 2012.
“I lost all my makeup because I was laughing so hard my tears tore all my markup off”
“Brilliant”
“I’ve never seen our adults laugh like they have tonight . My face hurts from laughing so hard!” Yvonne
Val Hilliker, Comedy Ventriloquist
1-855-Italk42
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Big Country Radio in Truro Nova Scotia
By Val Hilliker | December 3, 2012
This is a Guest spot on a radio station in Nova Scotia
http://valhilliker.com/downloads/val%20show.mp3
Mark your calendar Nova Scotia!
We sure had a great time on tour this year around Nova Scotia, 26 shows in two weeks. This was our third tour of the area and our most successful so far.
We made it to Cape Breton and PEI this time. See you in March 2014 for our next tour of eastern Canada.
Val Hilliker Comedy Ventriloquist
Call toll free now at
1 855 482 5542 (1 855 I Talk 42)
Central Alberta, World laughter leader and Master facilitater for The Virtues Project, Val Hilliker
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Testimonial
By Val Hilliker | August 1, 2012
Words cannot express how grateful we are for your support. Your commitement makes a world of difference, and thank you again for your wonderful performance.
Tracey Stan Kids cancer care foundation
1-855-italk42 (482-5542)
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