What does it mean to be a person of character? Dr. Arthur Schwartz, President of Character.org, explores this question deeply in his discussion with Arthur G. Affleck, III on the ACM Podcast: Empowering Young Minds. Through his expertise and passion for character education, Dr. Schwartz unveils how moral development influences individuals, communities, and society as a whole. This blog dives into the key takeaways from his conversation, shedding light on the transformative power of character-building at every stage of life.

The Origin Story: A Personal Journey to Character Development

Dr. Schwartz’s dedication to character education began with an unforgettable experience during his tenure at the School District of Philadelphia. Witnessing a young student lose hope sparked a profound question: How does a 15-year-old come to such despair? This question led him to Harvard University, where he studied adolescent moral development. His journey didn’t stop there—it expanded to a broader focus on virtues like grit, altruism, and gratitude through his work at the John Templeton Foundation and collaborations with thought leaders in positive psychology.

From the start, his mission has been clear: equip individuals with the moral courage and habits needed to make decisions that align with their values.

Why Character Matters: The Ripple Effect in Society

What is character? Dr. Schwartz defines it simply yet powerfully: Doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reasons. It’s not just a matter of performing good deeds but embedding those actions into one’s identity and habits. Schwartz emphasizes the importance of character beyond individual development—it’s essential for nurturing stronger families, ethical workplaces, and robust educational systems.

In his leadership at Character.org, Dr. Schwartz promotes a vision where character isn’t isolated to schools but woven into all aspects of life. His holistic approach includes engaging parents, fostering character in afterschool programs, and encouraging workplaces to adopt principles like “hiring for character and training for skills.”

Building Blocks of Character in Education and Beyond

Dr. Schwartz highlights that character education is most effective when it begins early and extends across various environments. His organization focuses on creating “Schools of Character” guided by 11 principles of effective character education. These principles emphasize shared leadership, community involvement, and sustained commitment to values.

One standout initiative is Character.org’s Growing Goodness project, which showcases how early childhood programs foster character across four key domains:

1. Moral Character – Teaching integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness.
2. Performance Character – Encouraging grit, perseverance, and responsibility.
3. Intellectual Character – Promoting curiosity and humility in the pursuit of knowledge.
4. Civic Character – Cultivating respect, fairness, and a commitment to the common good.

Each domain reinforces the idea that character-building is a collective effort involving teachers, parents, and community members.

From Schools to Museums: Expanding the Reach of Character Development

One of the most innovative applications of Dr. Schwartz’s framework is its integration into children’s museums. Supported by the Lilly Endowment, this initiative transforms museums into hubs for fostering intellectual character and curiosity. These spaces inspire children to ask questions, explore their creativity, and develop a love for learning.

Dr. Schwartz envisions museums leveraging universal principles like the Golden Rule, encouraging both children and caregivers to embody.

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More about Character.com

Character.org is a non-partisan organization that advocates for character education whose mission is to provide global leadership, voice, and resources for developing character in families, schools, and organizations. Character.org is comprised of educators, researchers, business and civic leaders who care deeply about the vital role that character will play in our future. Their work empowers people of all ages to practice and model core values that shape our hearts, minds, and choices.

More about Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums

Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums aims to help children thrive during childhood and develop into engaged, responsible, and caring adults. Since November 2023, ACM, through a multi-year $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. (the Endowment), is working to engage and support a cohort of 23 children’s museums* that have received planning grants from the Endowment. 

Empowering Young Minds, the Association of Children’s Museum Podcast is available on all major listening platforms, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.