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Sept. 1, 2011
Dear Teachers,
Welcome to Purple America’s “Values That Connect Us” Teacher Resources. We believe that teachers are the nation-builders of today. At this website, we provide for use in your classroom lesson models, reproducible materials and guides for discussion around the 12 values that are highlighted in our Values Forum Series. In addition, we encourage you to explore the whole web site, especially the blog entries and short videos highlighting the values, to help you in the creation of effective instructional strategies that can be integrated into your classroom.
Since 1981 and the publication of “A Nation at Risk,” public schools in general, and teachers specifically, have been singled out as the source of a declining America. For the past 30 years, many outside of education have sought to legislate school improvement without addressing the emerging social and cultural patterns that have set students up for failure. These same patterns permeate every institution in America and threaten the very fabric of our country.
As our nation struggles to right itself, it is clear that strong leadership is needed to renew the values our country has stood for and to help a new citizenry apply those values in their daily lives. Who better to lead this effort than teachers? Who better to rally together and change the course of our beloved country than teachers? Who better to instill a sense of responsibility around the 12 core values of everyday Americans than teachers? If, indeed, the nation is at risk, than who better to be the nation-builders we need than the teachers of America?
Together with our partner, the National Education Association, we hope that this website and the televised Values Forums will become an inspiration to you to touch the hearts and minds of your students to re-imagine an America steeped in our shared values. And, we hope you will find these materials useful in providing your students with the critical thinking skills they need to build a successful future and to lead successful lives.
Sincerely,
Roger B. Sidoti
Vice Chairman, Purple America
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