Kindness 101: Transforming Education with Character-Building Lessons

Red Wing, Minnesota — The United States invests heavily in teaching critical skills like reading, writing, and mathematics. Yet, the question arises: Why is kindness not a formal subject in schools? In some educational settings, it has become an important focus.

Kindness 101 is a program aimed at teaching kindness and character through poignant stories featured in CBS News’ “On the Road” series. The initiative is enhanced with lesson plans designed by a nonprofit organization at Drake University in Iowa, known as “Character Counts!”

“We can develop curricular resources around these stories that showcase the best of our nation,” stated Scott Raecker, the executive director of Character Counts! He explained that the resources are provided to educators at no cost.

One of the joys for CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman is the welcome he receives during visits to Kindness 101 classrooms. His visit to Neil Lahammer’s third-grade class at Burnside Elementary School in Red Wing, Minnesota, was particularly memorable.

Lahammer is part of a vast network of over 100,000 educators utilizing Kindness 101 to inspire character and compassion among students. These lessons are accessible to any teacher via Kindness101.com, encouraging similar values in millions of children globally.

Lahammer shared his thoughts on the program’s impact: “When I witness students emulating the kindness they see in the videos, it confirms the lessons are resonating. As a teacher, that’s invaluable.” According to one of Lahammer’s students, the lessons have a profound personal effect, stating, “They make me want to be a better person.”

The positive influence of the Kindness 101 program is amplified through a Kindness Club initiated by Lahammer. Students willingly sacrifice recess time weekly to engage in charitable activities like food and glove drives, contributing to a culture of kindness throughout the school.

“It’s inspiring to see how eager these kids are to assist others,” Lahammer noted. Additionally, he provides training to fellow educators in applying the curriculum effectively, aiming to cultivate a nurturing community of kindness advocates.

Lahammer’s dedication earned him the distinction of being named the inaugural Kindness 101 National Teacher of the Year. The accolade was presented during a gala in Des Moines, Iowa, and plans are in place to continue this tradition annually.

His impact resonates strongly with his students. One conveyed to CBS News, “He makes me smarter and he makes me happier. He’s my whole world.”